Sub-Woofer on Side?

[cnowels]

I have an older-model Yamaha sub-woofer that still works fantastic. It's rectangular and about 2 1/2 feet tall. I also fairly recently got a new AV rack and just noticed that the bottom slot looks like it would hold my sub just perfectly IF I were to turn it on its side. This would also free up some floor space.

Does anyone know if orientation affects the LFE generation?

I know I could just try it, but before I move a bunch of cables around, I thought I'd ask the experts.

[Woody]

Originally Posted by cnowels

I have an older-model Yamaha sub-woofer that still works fantastic. It's rectangular and about 2 1/2 feet tall. I also fairly recently got a new AV rack and just noticed that the bottom slot looks like it would hold my sub just perfectly IF I were to turn it on its side. This would also free up some floor space.

Does anyone know if orientation affects the LFE generation?

I know I could just try it, but before movie a bunch of cables around, I thought I'd ask the experts.

In short, a sub like yours will theoretically perform the same if it is on its side.

You may experience rattling though if the sub is placed in a rack depending on glass shelving, etc. Also I would periodically tighten any screws/bolts on the stand because they are sure to vibrate loose.

[Brian Cash]

I dont know if i would put it there you probably would hear some ratteling noise and you would not really get the same sound and feel as if it was on the floor

[cnowels]

Duh! Of course it would rattle. Don't know if the vibrations would be so good going up through my receiver and BD player either. I should have thought of that. Thanks guys.

[gearyt]

It needs a SOLID floor to work it's magic

[MacDaddyOJack]

Bass waves are omni-directional so you could turn it upside-down and get very nearly the same output. I would put it where you like it visually or where you get the best in-room response out of it. I would put it anywhere but under your AV rack. That is the last place you want vibrations for many reasons.

[Beta Man]

One thing to consider (as I'm not aware of this model of sub) but looking at Martin Logan Subs, they are made to be used as front, or downward firing..... other subs though, (my Old pre-historic dorm-room shaker that's in my basement for instance) is a big hulking beast, and it's a 15" downward firing sub. I would assume I can adhere foot-pegs to the top, flip it upside down, and have it firing UPWARD..... but considering the size of the magnet etc. in it, and the weight, although I would hope when it was constructed that the speaker inside the cabinet is secured well enough that it wouldn't matter, but I can imagine the vibrations combined with the weight, may cause the speaker to rattle, and work it's way loose from the enclosure. I may not be explaining this sufficiently, but picture this scenario....


speaker facing downward, with four screws holding it in place, screwed in from the top.....

now flip it upside down, and those same four screws are holding the entire weight, and every time the bass "hits" it's like a hit from a hammer in the opposite direction the box was designed for.



Maybe I thought too much on this!!!! I'm sure it's o.k!!!

[kingofgrills]

Which model Yamaha do you have? I have one, the YST-SW90, which is a fairly musical sub, but lacks that true bottom end. It can be a little boomy if it's not configured properly in your system. Yamaha subs really need a good solid surface to sit on, and they also benefit from being positioned properly in a room. That position will ultimately depend on your room geometry, so play around with its position a bit.

I would really recommend keeping the sub off your rack, because the vibrations long term could be harmful to your system. The rattles it creates will also be really distracting to your enjoyment of the system.

[adrianoupike]

king of grills

whats the Harmony 880 Universal Remote with PS3 support ?

I just bought the 880 remote as well, so i am curious about that..Pm me if you dont mind

[the Bass Mechanic]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

One thing to consider (as I'm not aware of this model of sub) but looking at Martin Logan Subs, they are made to be used as front, or downward firing..... other subs though, (my Old pre-historic dorm-room shaker that's in my basement for instance) is a big hulking beast, and it's a 15" downward firing sub. I would assume I can adhere foot-pegs to the top, flip it upside down, and have it firing UPWARD..... but considering the size of the magnet etc. in it, and the weight, although I would hope when it was constructed that the speaker inside the cabinet is secured well enough that it wouldn't matter, but I can imagine the vibrations combined with the weight, may cause the speaker to rattle, and work it's way loose from the enclosure. I may not be explaining this sufficiently, but picture this scenario....

speaker facing downward, with four screws holding it in place, screwed in from the top.....

now flip it upside down, and those same four screws are holding the entire weight, and every time the bass "hits" it's like a hit from a hammer in the opposite direction the box was designed for.

Maybe I thought too much on this!!!! I'm sure it's o.k!!!

I'm not sure about that particular model, but all modern subs I know of have the drivers mounted from the outside of the cabinet, thus turning it upside down will not be a problem. the only speakers I've ever seen with the driver rear-mounted (from the inside of the baffle) were some old (early 1970's or older) fullrange cabinets that had a removable rear panel for servicing (the grille cloth was part of the front baffle and un-removable). A look at the subwoofer driver with any grilles removed should verify that it is front-mounted (you should be able to see the heads of the mounting screws).
Hope that helps.

BTW, you may have to turn the sub upside-down periodicaly, I used to have down-firing subs of my own and the cones would start to sag over time. I found I had to invert the sub cabinets (between down-firing, and up-firing) every 3 months or 3000 cannon shots, whichever came first.

[mdabb]

The only way your sub will sag is if your voice coil is worn out.

[Heart&Soul]

I have mine on its side and it works great.

[Abbotdog]

I have a yamaha sub also but mine is square. My recomendation is (this is what I do with mine). I have my seating arrangement in my basement set up in the traditional "L" shape made from the love seat and couch. I have a standard end table at the end of each linking the couches together. My sub is powered and I ran a long cable and placed the sub under the center end table. Excellent results. You feel the base through the couches.