So you have a nice set of bookshelf speakers and thinking about adding a subwoofer. There could be different reasons such as you have an existing subwoofer and want to test it with your bookshelf speaker. Or want to improve or add more bass to your listening experience.
Whatever the reason, the question is can you add a subwoofer to bookshelf speakers?
Yes, you can add a subwoofer to bookshelf speakers and enhance the sound quality. While it’s not an essential addition, a subwoofer can provide richer bass tones and fuller sound reproduction for a more immersive audio experience.
But to add a subwoofer, there are a few things that should be considered. Because if you are not doing it in the correct way then instead of improving, it could ruin the sound quality coming from your bookshelf speakers.
Below you can find out an easy way to connect bookshelf speakers and subwoofers as well as the pros and cons. And I’ll also recommend some of the best subwoofers available on the market today.
Pros of adding a subwoofer to a bookshelf speaker
There are plenty of benefits of adding a subwoofer to your bookshelf speakers. Mostly because adding subwoofers will add an extra layer to your sound system and the sound will sound a lot more smooth.
On top of this, adding a subwoofer to your bookshelf speakers will naturally expand the bass response of your speakers. Although bookshelf speakers are good enough they cannot produce low-frequency sound as well as a separate subwoofer. Similarly, the addition of Subwoofers will add greater clarity to your sound and help reduce distortion in sound
Lastly, the addition of subwoofers will take a massive load off of your bookshelf speakers so that they can focus on producing the sound that they are better at rather than focusing on low-frequency sounds.
Cons of adding a subwoofer to bookshelf speakers
Although the pros of adding subwoofers to your sound system overweigh the cons. However, it is best that you know both sides of the story. Here are some cons of adding a subwoofer to bookshelf speakers.
Adding a subwoofer will cost you more than sticking to your current setup. Therefore, you will have to spend some extra money on the addition of a subwoofer (and more if you add two subwoofers).
Adding a subwoofer to your bookshelf speakers will also require time and effort – if you can spare the time and effort – and you have the money too, then go for it.
How to add a subwoofer to bookshelf speakers
Adding a subwoofer to your sound system is a complicated business, if you do know how to do it right, it will overpower everything else. Therefore, you need a proper way to connect your bookshelf speakers to a subwoofer.
Here is an easy way that you can connect your subwoofers to push on speakers.
Secure the connection
The first step will be to connect your subwoofer using a cable. There are different types of cables, you will have to figure out what works for you. For example, an audio interconnect cable or an extra set of speaker cables. Just connect the cables in the right spot and you will be good to go.
Adjust controls
Once the cables are connected, you will have to adjust the controls. If you are using a normal subwoofer, then you will have to take care of just two knobs. The volume and crossover frequency. The best way to adjust this is to play a song that you have played on your headphones before (so you know how it is supposed to sound) and adjust the knobs with the sound of the song.
Adjust the placement of the subwoofer
Apart from the wire connection and adjustment of controls, the way you place your subwoofers will also have an effect on how they sound. Therefore, make sure that they are on the same level as your bookshelf speakers for the perfect sound. Similarly, adding two subwoofers instead of one will make your speakers sound more even.
Blast the songs
The last step is to check if the sound is even – you can figure it out by playing your favorite song on the speakers. The sound of speakers is subjective, so you should check if it works well for you – there are no set ground rules for this step.
Best Subwoofer to pair with bookshelf speakers
As you now have the idea in order to connect the subwoofer and speaker and achieve the best possible performance having the right and compatible subwoofer is crucial.
It is time to know about some of the best subwoofers that you can buy for your bookshelf speaker.
Klipsch R-120SW Subwoofer
This is one of the best subwoofers that you can buy for your bookshelf speaker. It is a 12-inch subwoofer and has a frequency response of 29Hz – 120Hz. It also has a power rating of 400W.
SVS SB-1000 Subwoofer
This is another great subwoofer for your bookshelf speaker. It is a 12-inch subwoofer with 300 watts RMS and has a frequency response of 24Hz – 260Hz.
Polk Audio PSW111
You can also consider this PSW111 subwoofer for your bookshelf speaker. It is an eight-inch subwoofer with a power rating of 300W. The thing that I love about this subwoofer is it has the ability to deliver big bass in a compact size.
These are a few of the best subwoofers that I can recommend for the bookshelf speaker.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to add some bass to your music, then a subwoofer is a great option. Just be sure to match the subwoofer with the right bookshelf speakers. With a little research, you’ll be able to find the perfect combination for your home audio setup.
To make things even easier for you, I’ve shared an easy method on how to connect subwoofers to bookshelf speakers and which are the possible pros and cons of doing so. I’ve also shared a list of the best subwoofer to pair with bookshelf speakers. So you can check them out.
I hope you found this post helpful.
FAQ’s
Do bookshelf speakers need a subwoofer?
The short answer is no, you don’t necessarily need a subwoofer for bookshelf speakers. However, a subwoofer can enhance the overall audio experience by providing a deeper and more accurate bass response. If you’re looking to add a subwoofer to your bookshelf speaker setup, be sure to match the subwoofer’s impedance and power handling capabilities with your speakers.