Down Firing Vs Front Firing Subwoofer, Which Is Better?

I found this video, researching a DIY home theatre subwoofer build project, to supplement my Klipsch R-8SW sub. I have seen a few of your videos, previously. I have to say, I really like your presentation style: you are to the point, on topic, & with clear explanations. Thanks. You deserve way more subs (excuse the pun), than you have.

I have both, and you're correct about frontfiring being easier to blend with small speakers but a downfiring sub packs a bit more spectacle with real low frequency by actually making the floor move under you.

Insightful. Informative. I liked this.

Thanks, Andrew for answering this question. I would add that some people consider "Bookshelf" speakers distinct from "stand-mounted," and sometimes (as an exception to the general rule) the latter might extend a fair bit lower than true bookshelf-sized speakers. For example, my stand-mounted speakers claim to reach down to 42Hz prior to any low freq. rolloff, placing them more into the category of floor standers (i.e., full range speakers). In this case I would be ore comfortable with a down-firing sub.

I actually had a infinity 12'' down firing sub woofer that worked great with two Yamaha concert series book shelf speakers. I didn't have the center channel speaker connected. I used the Auvio wireless system to send the signal from my TV to the sub woofer, than hard wired the two book shelf speakers from the sub woofers output jacks.

I have both and love both types.

Thank you sir for the tips, they are very helpful.

Great video as always. I've had this same question for a long time. It seems that years ago when home theater was pretty new, down firing was the majority, now that seems to have flipped. I have a Hsu Research sub that I bought years ago. I absolutely love the thing. My theater/stereo system is in what I would call a "small, medium sized room" with a suspended wood frame floor with carpeting (over a basement), and wood framed walls with drywall. It pairs very well with my M80s. What you say about "bookshelf" speakers makes perfect sense. If you are depending on the subwoofer to deliver a portion of the total frequency range above the normal subwoofer level, I can totally see where you would want a front firing sub for that. If I was in the market for a sub, I would try to audition both styles, but I have no complaints with the Hsu. I will also add that I have a home theater/stereo setup in the basement as well and it has a front firing JBL sub, with my Mirage FRX-7s. Nothing fancy about the sub, but I do notice clear well defined bass in the room and I always wondered if it was because the floor was carpeted over concrete, if the firing direction was responsible for that amount of bass in the room. No floor loading down there I'm sure.

I have a Klipsch Synergy 7.1 Surround Sound speaker system. My sub is the Klipsch SW-450, which is downfiring. My flooring is a real hardwood floor. So for my sub I placed a towel under it and raised it off the floor with bricks under each leg of the sub. I also covered the bricks with cloth and hard foam. I also performed the subwoofer crawl. I consider my room size sort of small to medium (15 ft. wide by 21 feet length, ceiling height 7.5 ft.)

Absolutely brilliant, comprehensive and detailed overview of this very tricky topic/decision process. You've possibly addressed this in the most digestible way, even for a newcomer. Tie this video to a crossover educational video and you'll have the makings of a very seriously lacking, educational aspect of these seemingly simple and nuanced topics. Great job as always and thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences with us.

I use dual bottom firing subs. One in the front left of my living room and one in the right rear. I set my 5 bookself size speakers to large in the settings. I love the crispness of the sound I get.

Great Video, yes that's a very tricky question & you're right there's no one answer & sometimes it just comes down to personal preference. I've a combination of both downfiring & forward firing subs in the main living area. I've a 7.2.4 home theater setup, I'm currently running the Denon 3800H Receiver with the Emotiva BasX A5 power amplifier & all Klipsch Speakers (4) rp-280f (1) rp-404c (4) rp-500sa (2) rp250s (1) spl-120 (1) r-8sw, But in my bedroom I've a 5.1 set up with a down firing sub. I've always loved down firing subwoofers they just hit differently if you know what I mean

Couldn't agree more! For us high rise dwellers, downward firing subs are an anathema to our downstairs neighbors. :( On a different note, I wonder if over the years, the suspension of down firing drivers might cause sag compared to forward firing drivers.

Thanks for the information. What about the phase switch setting. What are your thoughts? I have a 2 channel stereo system with a sub.

Thank you for the video. A quick question, for the receivers supporting two subs, can we connect one front and one down firing subwoofers? Is yes, will it create any contractions?

Sir plz make video on Yamaha RX-N AVR series crossover setting

Totally Agree

Great video, thanks Andrew! I actually have an older Axiom sub that is rear firing which uses the wall as the reflector. I use it in my home theatre with smaller wall mount speakers. So does your advice about losing some of the mid range frequencies that would be coming out of the sub apply in this case too or do they get reflected well by the wall.

Like always Andrew, fantastic presentation. You sure remember the OM 6 subwoofer was side-firing, and sometime after the Speakers replacement of the OM 6 was the OM 5 with a front-firing subwoofer, so my question is what is the main difference or advantage of designing a side-firing subwoofer compared to side-firing

Focusing exclusively on extreme low frequency like 25hz which is better? Down firing or front firing?