Downward facing subwoofer on carpet, bad idea?

Mo,

It's not a bad idea, but it's not optimum. Place a solid surface, like plywood or a large floor tile, under your sub and compare. More of the sub's output will be reflected into the room by the hard surface verses some of it being absorbed by the carpet and padding.

Greg

Good idea. Carpet and pad are pretty much transparent at bass wave lengths (a 11' long 100 Hz wave won't be phased by 1/2" of carpet and pad) but might do a little for distortion products and extra noises.

I tried my REL sub both ways, over carpet and next stting on a large tile, the carpet is my preference. It's easy enough to check yourself to see/hear which works best for you.

Shag carpet has a tendency to absorb more due to longer fibers...but the results are minimal...

I am very appreciative of your input to this question. Thank-you. Please permit me a new question. My amp
(McIntosh MA 6100) has jumpers in the rear which connect the "filter amplifier output (PREAMP OUT) and the power amplifier input (AMP IN). One source advised me to replace the jumpers with a "Y" cables and connect that to the sub. Another said to connect the sub to the left and right remote speakers terminals of my amp. Could you comment please.