General Audio

Placement for Side-mounted Woofers in Slim Tower Speakers

Side-mounted woofers in slim tower speakers offer a compromise between aesthetics and performance, allowing for a narrower front baffle while maintaining substantial bass output.   They offer a much higher SAF (Spouse Approval Factor) than old school large footprint floor-standers (think 70’s Tannoy’s or 80’s JBL’s or Cerwin Vega’s).  At Radique, our customers frequently ask us how they should position these speakers.  The debate over whether these woofers should face inward or outward highlights the complex interplay between speaker design, room acoustics, and listener preferences in achieving optimal sound quality.

Inward-Facing Woofer Benefits

Positioning woofers to face inward on slim tower speakers offers several potential benefits. This configuration can help minimize wall reflections, resulting in cleaner bass response and potentially tighter, more controlled low-frequency output. Some audiophiles report that inward-facing woofers produce a more focused soundstage and improved imaging. Additionally, this orientation may be advantageous in rooms with challenging acoustics or when speakers are placed close to side walls. However, the effectiveness of inward-facing woofers can vary depending on factors such as room layout, speaker design, and crossover frequency.

Outward-Facing Woofer Advantages

Outward-facing woofers can potentially provide more bass output in certain room configurations, though this advantage may vary depending on the specific acoustic environment. This orientation is often considered easier to set up, as it tends to be less sensitive to precise speaker placement and room interactions. Some listeners find that outward-facing woofers create a more expansive soundstage, particularly in larger rooms. However, this configuration may lead to increased wall reflections, which could impact sound clarity in some setups. It’s worth noting that many commercial speakers with side-mounted woofers, such as those from Audio Physics, Canton, and Vienna Acoustics, have successfully implemented outward-facing designs.

Key Orientation Considerations

Several factors influence the optimal orientation of side-mounted woofers in slim tower speakers. Room acoustics play a crucial role, as the specific layout and acoustic properties of the listening space can significantly impact bass response. The crossover frequency is another important consideration, with side-mounted woofers typically handling lower frequencies below 250 Hz where sound is less directional. Speaker design also plays a part, as some manufacturers engineer their products with a specific orientation
in mind. It’s worth noting that proper speaker placement and room treatment often have a more substantial impact on overall sound quality than woofer orientation alone.

Experimentation for Best Sound 

Determining the optimal orientation for side-mounted woofers often requires hands-on experimentation in the specific listening environment. Audiophiles recommend trying both inward and outward configurations to assess which produces the best sound quality and bass response for the particular setup. This process allows listeners to account for unique room characteristics, speaker design nuances, and personal preferences. When experimenting, it’s important to consider factors such as imaging, soundstage width, bass tightness, and overall tonal balance. Keeping notes on the perceived differences can help in making an informed decision about the final speaker orientation.

Radique’s Options  

Radique stocks a wide range of tower speakers including a number of slim tower speakers with side mounted woofers.  All of our speakers include a warranty our excellent perpetual trade-back policy.  We’d be happy to help you select a pair that would be perfect for your stereo or home theater application.

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