A subwoofer is a speaker dedicated to low frequency sound, the deep rumble of an explosion, engine noise or bass heavy music, that smaller speakers struggle to reproduce cleanly. Because low frequencies need a larger amount of moving air, a subwoofer typically uses a bigger driver in its own enclosure, separate from the main speakers or soundbar.
Many soundbar packages include a subwoofer, either wired or connecting wirelessly, specifically because a slim soundbar cabinet has no room for deep bass on its own. In a full home theatre setup with an AV receiver, a subwoofer is usually a separate purchase, positioned and calibrated independently from the other speakers.
Placement affects a subwoofer's sound noticeably, since bass behaves differently depending on its position relative to walls and corners in a room, and many units include a volume or level control to balance it against the rest of the system. See our soundbar guide for setup and placement tips.
