Sub-woofer: Forward v.s. Downward, which is better?

Associate
Joined
30 Mar 2010
Posts
6
I wanted to purchase 2.1 channel systems for my PC and personally I enjoy bass experience very much while playing games and listening to Metal music. Since my retailer recommend me some suggestions (ASUS, Altec Lansing, JBL, etc.) and a few of their sub-woofer are downward designed while most are forward designed.

Hence, I would like to know whether downward design is better than forward. Or what’s difference between these two? Could anybody give some advice? Thanks.
 
Out of the systems you are lokoing at, worrying about driver direction really shoudn't be something to worry about.

Look at getting teh most for your money as they are quite like for like systems, as most in the pc speakers category.
 
Agree with Ad. I think forward or downward firing is only something to consider in a high end subwoofer, at least compared to PC subs anyway. Subwoofers that come with PC speakers are not good enough quality really to make much difference. It does depend on what the sub is placed though. On carpet, you would want forward firing. Downward firing would need to be placed on a hard surface. For hard surfaces, it doesn't which you go for really.
 
Also kids play a factor in people's decisions. i.e. Poking there fingers into the cone with a FF sub. No worries if it's DF. :)
 
Forward is better because you can decide how far away from a wall it points (which affects how bass sounds like). Downward on the other hand, is at a fixed point from the ground so cant be changed)
 
If you live in a flat or have thick carpets forward facing would be better. Downward facing may be better with pets who may claw speakers though if it's the ported type i don't think it would matter much.
 
Back
Top Bottom