Tom's Hardware > Forum > Audio > Audio Technology > Why do you need a phrase switch on a sub woofer

Why do you need a phrase switch on a sub woofer

Forum Audio : Audio Technology - Why do you need a phrase switch on a sub woofer

Tom's Hardware: Over 1.4 million members in 6 different countries available to answer all your high-tech questions. Sign up now! Its free!
Ask the community Add a reply
Word :    Username :           
 
Brian   03-25-2005 at 06:55:00 PM

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

 

I'd be interested in knowing more about the phase switch. The manual
for the sub woofer does not explain the purpose of this switch.

Regards Brian

Add a reply
Sponsored Links
Register or log in to remove.
Anonymous   03-25-2005 at 06:55:01 PM
- 0 +

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

 

Brian wrote:
> I'd be interested in knowing more about the phase switch. The manual
> for the sub woofer does not explain the purpose of this switch.
>
> Regards Brian
Here's a non technical attempt. Depending on what kind of satellites
you have they will have different types of crossovers in them. Usually
these are second order or third order, 12 dB slopes or 18 dB slopes.
This in addition to the sub not being necessisarily in the same plane
with the satellites and that the crossover to the sub from the
satellites is going to have it's own slope. In other words unless the
system is put together as a whole from the manufacturer in order to
assure proper matching to the rest of the system a phase switch is
needed so that the speakers in the system are all in phase with each
other. I'm sure there will be a lot more technically correct and
detailed responses to follow.

Reply to Anonymous
Anonymous   03-25-2005 at 06:55:01 PM
- 0 +

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

 

On Fri, 25 Mar 2005 12:55:00 +1200, Brian <bclark@es.co.nz> wrote:
>I'd be interested in knowing more about the phase switch. The manual
>for the sub woofer does not explain the purpose of this switch.

Unless your subwoofer is in the *exact* place as your satellite speakers,
literally overlapping the same space, given the speed of sound then its sound is
going to arrive at your ears at a different time than your main speakers.

At the frequency of crossover between sub and mains, the wavelength will be
around 15-25'. If the sub is put 180 out of phase, it'll arrive in phase with
the sound waves from the mains if it is 7-12' away from the mains. Nothing is
perfect; try both settings and see if you can hear any difference and what
sounds better.

Reply to Anonymous
Ask the community Add a reply
Tom's Hardware > Forum > Audio > Audio Technology > Why do you need a phrase switch on a sub woofer
Go to:

There are 1188 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Forum map
Bestofmedia Forum ©
2000-2009 Bestofmedia Group
Page generated in 0.289 seconds
Please mind

You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months.
If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.

Add a reply Cancel
Sponsored links
  • Ask the community now
  • Publish
Ad
Related Content
They won a badge
Join us in greeting them