Subwoofers are a critical component of any audio system. These specialized speakers not only reproduce deep and strong bass but also take other speakers off the burden of reproducing the low notes. However, for you to get the most out of your car sound system, your sub needs to be compatible with other car speakers, and it should also fit in the space available in your car.
The positioning of a subwoofer, especially in the trunk, has always been a contentious debate amongst bass lovers. One of the most frequently asked questions that you’re likely to come across in many car audio forums pertains which way to face subwoofer in trunk.
In general, car subwoofers are mounted in the trunk or boot, but this may vary depending on space limitations. Whether you’re using a compact 8-inch subwoofer or are a fanatic of massive subwoofers, it is critical to understand the best way to face subs in a trunk in order to maximize your entertainment experience.
In addition, the direction in which you face your subwoofer has a huge impact on your bass experience and the overall sound quality. In this blog post, we’ll have an in-depth discussion on how car subwoofer direction affects your overall listening experience.
Which direction should car subwoofer face?
As we have already stated, the best location for a car audio subwoofer is in the trunk. But considering that theirs is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to subwoofer placement, achieving the desired results may be harder than it appears.
It is important to note that bass frequencies are omnidirectional, so the best direction to face your subwoofer will always remain open for debate. This also means that there is no single ‘best’ way to face the subwoofer in the trunk. However, you can always take advantage of the available space in the trunk to establish which direction is best for your specific setup.
Some of the factors that may influence which direction your car subwoofer will face include space limitations, your car model, enclosure type, musical taste as well as personal preferences. To achieve this, you may want to try out different positions through a trial and error method before you determine which subwoofer direction works best for your setup.
Having said that, here are some of the best ways you can face your subwoofer within the vehicle trunk;
Subwoofer facing the rear of the vehicle
Having the subwoofer facing the rear of the boot of your vehicle is one the most preferred subwoofer positioning in the trunk. The idea behind this subwoofer placement is to face the bass away from the driver as well as the back row seats. Ideally, this configuration or having the subwoofer face away from the driver makes the bass notes sound more prominent and uniformly distributed across the space.
The best part about this setup is that it allows sound to reflect off the back of the trunk before it finally reaches your ears. The sound waves are also able to travel the furthest while allowing the bass frequencies to reverberate throughout the vehicle.
Generally, this kind of setup is best suited for music genres that feature heavy bass lines. So if you are a big fan of music genres like hip hop and rap, this subwoofer setup is for you. However, you may want to go with a massive subwoofer such as 12″ or 15″ subs in your setup.
Subwoofer facing towards the driver
Though uncommon, placing your subwoofer facing the driver’s or passenger’s seat is yet another viable placement option that’s worth consideration. So instead of having the subwoofer face away from you, this time around the subwoofer will aim the bass towards you.
This orientation allows everyone to experience deep bass, but it is not the most ideal option for hard-hitting bass enthusiasts who loves their bass boomy. Also, opponents of this orientation argue that it provides less bass, but the actual bass notes are still prominent.
Facing the subwoofer towards the driver works bests with small subwoofers or smooth music genres that do not require a lot of thumping. So if you love to listen to jazz or a lot of chamber music, this setup is worth considering.
Subwoofer facing upward
Placing your subwoofer facing upward is often common when you have limited space in the trunk or just want to save room for other cargo. Generally, this placement method offers you an opportunity to enjoy great bass without taking up a lot of space in your cargo area. When done professionally, this placement method provides better high frequencies, and the bass response is pretty smooth.
Another advantage of facing your subwoofer upward is that it does not rattle your windows or disintegrate loose parts in your car. However, just like other placement methods, you may want to experiment with different placement locations to determine the most ideal one.
For instance, placing the subwoofer at one corner of the trunk may yield a better bass response overall. In addition, placing the subwoofer at the corners allows it to blend seamlessly with your vehicle.
The Bottom Line
The question of which direction should car subwoofer face often seems like a no-brainer, but the answer is not always apparent. Placing the subwoofer in the car trunk is one of the best positioning possibilities that help ensure that your sub produces the most bass. However, as we have discussed above, the direction of your subwoofer in your trunk will ultimately affect its performance.
In our opinion, there is no right or wrong direction to face your subwoofer, but you may want to face it in the direction in which you’ll experience the most bass. Also, you may want to evaluate the available space in your car before you make the best choice for your needs.
Also to get the most out of your subwoofer, always consider getting sound damping materials to combat your vehicle vibrations and reduce engine noise. In the end, whether you have the subwoofer facing seat or trunk, optimizing your subwoofer placement is going to result in a bass performance that feels best to you.
