Subwoofer's Front Firing vs. Down Firing

What about dispersion 'efficiency' of a front vs down.

It would seem that a down firing is sending output in all directions - to the sides and the rear - and resultant interactions and add'l reflections with the front wall, equipment to the sides. Whereas a front firing would be more efficient at beaming energy/content into the listening area.

Just guessing....never tried any tests - but it is something I've wondered about front vs down firing.

Hi guys, I've been building speakers for 35 or so years, Dukes Explanation is accurate. I personally prefer a sealed sub when done correctly and well placed in a room, but vented/ported boxes have a better chance of easy setup. As far as Dispersion? Duke handles that when he talks of wave length, travel time etc. Bass has been around a room a couple of times by the time you hear it, that's why it has time to interact with the room and muck everything up. Bo is speaking on another level by adding an EQ/DSP room correction software. With this, you can analyze peaks and dips in your room and correct them electronically. Bo is doing something that I've never heard sound great in a 2 channel high end system... Crossing at 140hz... I normally target anywhere from 40 to 100 depending on room interaction, main speakers natural roll off or electronic crossover and the powered woofers own crossover slope on the top end... I hope this helps, Tim

I have a sealed downfiring REL, but I turn it upside down and use it upfiring. I find this to produce a more accurate, and quicker sound in my room. It's not in a corner either, but between the speakers. I do place a board on the upturned feet with something heavy on top of that.

Experiment, it pays off in spades.

I sold in the past many many REL subwoofers. The material of my PLW-15 is made from ceramics. This is a lot lighter compared to the material REL is using. This makes a big difference in response. I have told this a few times.

It is very easy to understand when you hear the difference in response. Subwoofers can reach a much higher level for integration when the material is lighter.

Timing is the key for succes regarding integration!!

Quote: "It is very easy to understand when you hear the difference in response. Subwoofers can reach a much higher level for integration when the material is lighter"

Cone mass in itself does not change response, you must have a motor structure to match... lighter mass in itself offers low QMS/QTS, which in turn requires ported or vented boxes... Adding mass lowers FS and raises QMS/QTS, kinda goes against your theory of must using a sealed box... of course you can use less motor structure, but now you deal with a higher FS and VAS problems... The entire driver is a balancing act... a lighter cone material in itself does not tell the story. Not trying to start a war, but those are the facts