Subwoofers are the largest speakers on most sound systems. These speakers reproduce very low bass frequencies in the range of 20 to 125 hertz. A good subwoofer generates responsive bass without noticeable distortion. While it's possible to hook up two Bose subwoofers, to optimize the sound quality you must ensure the proper connection of the entire speaker system.
In Phase
When you hook up two Bose subwoofers to a sound system, you must ensure the sound waves reach your ears in phase. An in-phase system means the two subwoofers move in and out of sync with one another. If subwoofers aren't in phase, the speakers can cancel each other out, creating the effect of less bass than a single subwoofer would provide. An out-of-phase system results in less bass no matter how many subwoofers you attach to the system. You can phase subwoofers using a phase switch that lets you adjust the subwoofer settings manually. You will find a phase switch on most newer, higher-end subwoofers, usually located in the back of the subwoofer.
Connections
An often overlooked component of any stereo system is the cable used to connect the speaker to the system. The right cable can make or break the quality of the sound produced, especially in power-hungry speakers such as subwoofers. In addition to using a good-quality cable, make sure you connect the subwoofers to a subwoofer jack on your stereo system. Additionally, before purchasing subwoofers, make sure your receiver can supply the power needed to drive the speakers. As a rule of thumb, always make sure your amplifier or receiver has 10 percent more power than the system's speakers require.
Speaker Position
Obtaining the optimum acoustics in any room is challenging. If the subwoofers aren't properly placed in the room, the stereo system can produce a weak bass response. Speaker placement is not, however, an exact science. Therefore, when setting up a stereo system, always experiment with the speaker placement. The size of the room, furniture, ceiling height and other factors affect the sound reproduced by your system's subwoofers.
Requirements
Some receivers feature multiple sub outputs. On these receivers, you can use RCA cables to directly connect both subwoofers to the receiver. If your receiver only has a single sub output, you'll need to use a male-to-female y-splitter. Use RCA cables to connect the subwoofers to the y-splitter, then use another RCA cable to connect the y-splitter to the receiver. If the subwoofers have multiple inputs, use the left input. After connecting the subwoofers to the receiver, calibrate the subwoofers using available crossover controls on the receiver. According to the website Audioholics, in most cases you must use an 80 hertz crossover point and set other speakers attached to the system as "small." Using multiple subwoofers won't damage the subwoofers, speakers or any other part of the stereo system.
Tags: stereo system, make sure, Bose subwoofers, cable make, connect subwoofers, hook Bose, hook Bose subwoofers
