If you're wondering whether or not you actually need a subwoofer for mixing in your space, you've made it to the right blog post.

Subwoofers have long been a point of debate. On one side, there are those who swear by subwoofers in their studio setup, arguing that it unveils the true depths of low end, so their mixes can translate well across various listening environments.

On the other side, there are skeptics who caution against using subwoofers, suggesting they might exaggerate bass frequencies and lead amateur mix engineers to make poor decisions.

Of course, as we know, nailing the low end in any genre is key. A mix with perfectly balanced low end can feel fuller, more dynamic, and more engaging. However, getting the low end right is an art in itself.

In this guide, we'll explore the pros and cons of mixing with a subwoofer, and look at how it can both aid and complicate the quest for the perfect low end.

The Importance of Feel Over Sound

When considering whether or not a subwoofer is right for your setup, you have to consider feel over sound.

When properly calibrated and integrated into a studio setup, subwoofers can offer the elusive low-end "sweet spot," where the bass isn't just heard - it's felt. This sensation mirrors the same immersive, full-body experience of live music. You know the feeling of standing in front of a concert sound system and feeling the bass pulse through the air, resonating to your core.

It's an aspect of sound that even the most advanced headphones struggle to replicate, as they can't produce the physical sensation of bass frequencies moving through space and interacting with the environment.

Experienced engineers have an intuitive understanding of how low-frequency EQ adjustments will translate beyond the confines of their studio. After years of working in the same space with the same monitors, it becomes easier to anticipate how a track will sound on a variety of playback systems. In turn, making low-end EQ decisions with confidence becomes easier.

Now, if you haven't honed in years of listening and mixing in the same space, you might think that having a subwoofer will provide a more direct and tangible reference to the low-end.

The question is whether or not it'll give you low-end sound reproduction, but whether or not you'll actually be able to use it to make your mixes sound better.

Should You Use a Subwoofer?

To decide if integrating a subwoofer into your studio setup is a good idea, start by asking yourself a few questions.

What Kind of Room Are You Mixing In?

The acoustics of the room you're mixing in play a pivotal role in determining whether a subwoofer will be a boon or a bane to your mixing process.

In an untreated or poorly treated room, the addition of a subwoofer might do more harm than good. Low frequencies are particularly susceptible to room modes and acoustic anomalies, which can lead to uneven bass response across the mixing position.

In most home environments, a subwoofer will only exacerbate issues like phase cancellation, where overlapping waves from direct and reflected sound paths cancel each other out, creating weird frequency dips and peaks that could misrepresent the true balance of your mix.

Are You Working With Smaller Bands or Producing Electronic Music?

Next, consider the type of music you're primarily working with.

If you're mainly recording acoustic music or smaller bands, having a subwoofer isn't necessary. In these scenarios, the full spectrum of sound your project requires is often well within the range of nearfield monitors.

The intricate details of acoustic instruments and smaller ensembles can be accurately captured and monitored without the extended low end that a subwoofer provides. The only exceptions I can think of would be if you were dealing with a bass drum's sub-kick or the low B of a five-string bass.

On the other hand, if you're more in the electronic music production domain, having a subwoofer could be hugely beneficial. Sub-bass sounds are pretty typical in electronic music, and with a subwoofer, you could more accurately monitor and sculpt your low-end without questioning your moves.

Of course, if you're only a producer and your plan is to send your music off to get mixed and mastered, then you can still go the other route and work solely with midfield monitors.

Do You Work in Post Production?

If you work in post-production or sound design, having a subwoofer is a bit of a must. You want to be able to accurately reproduce the low-frequency effects (LFE) channel, which is a staple in movie soundtracks. Think the rumble of distant thunder or those earth-shattering explosions you'd hear in your favorite Christopher Nolan flick.

Even beyond movie theaters, many modern home entertainment setups include a subwoofer as part of a 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound system, meaning that your mix needs to translate well on those systems. Too much low-end, and you could end up distorting the subs, which is a big no-no.

What's Your Neighbor Situation?

Next question - do you have neighbors that might find bass flooding through their walls a bit annoying?

Low frequencies travel further than high-frequencies. If you've ever lived in an apartment and your neighbors had a party next door, you know the sound of the low-end rumble that seems to permeate the shared drywall more than anything else.

If your home studio is either in your apartment or in a shared studio space with others, you might want to be considerate. This is especially true if you have a landlord that might not appreciate receiving a bunch of noise complaint calls.

Are You Looking to Master?

Mastering engineers often have the most detailed studio setups, as it's important for them to have a clear representation of the entire frequency spectrum. However, there are even mastering engineers who don't like having studio subwoofers in their monitoring systems.

Weirdly enough, some mastering engineers opt for using two subwoofers in their studios, which can mitigate room modes and standing waves. Dr. Earl Geddes, a respected figure in the field of acoustics, suggests that deploying multiple subwoofers in a room can create a smoother and more consistent bass response.

On the other end of the spectrum, we have mastering engineers like Glenn Schick, who masters entirely on headphones for projects, leveraging the mobility they offer to work in various environments.

So, how do we put this information to use?

Well, we can't. But what I can tell you is that having a sub available for last-minute checks on masters has taken a lot of the guesswork out of the process for me. If you're serious about mastering, it might be worth investing in one and seeing whether or not it works for you.

Pros and Cons of Mixing with Subwoofers

Having a subwoofer in your monitoring system can either be beneficial or detrimental. Let's look at a few of the most important pros and cons.

Pro: Introduces Otherwise Missing Low End

If you're working with main monitors that are low-grade, it's likely that they don't reproduce sub frequencies very well. Depending on the genre, not having an accurate representation of those sub frequencies can force you to overcompensate for what you think your mix needs.

In the end, the excessive lows might sound incredible on your home studio monitors and overbearing anywhere else. It's worth noting that some studio monitors come with specially designed subwoofer that use a matched crossover frequency to make up for the lack of low-end on the main monitors.

Of course, you can also purchase a subwoofer that uses an adjustable or active crossover frequency and set it to make up for the lowest frequencies you can't get from your regular monitors.

Pro: Low End Reproduction In Rooms That Eat Low Frequencies

Some rooms have a nasty habit of sucking up low frequencies before they get to the listening spot. If this is the case in your room, you might want to get a subwoofer and place it at the point in the room where your lowest frequencies start to dissipate.

Pro: Necessary for Most Dance Mixes

Most clubs have humongous sound systems that pump out sub frequencies like nobody's business. To know what your mix will sound like in a club, you'll have to have a subwoofer. The key is to only turn your subwoofer up to the point where you can suss out the low-end and not too loud that it overpowers your home studio.

Con: Can Make Mixing Acoustic Music More Difficult

If you're mixing dance or club tracks with tons of sub-frequency energy, having a subwoofer at your disposal can be of huge benefit. However, if you're mainly mixing acoustic, jazz, or other organic genres without a ton of sub information, having a poorly dialed subwoofer can do more harm than good. It might force you to want to get rid of low-end energy that isn't actually there or add unnecessary high-end frequencies to make up for the added weight in the lows.

Con: Are Difficult to Dial In (Especially In Home Studios)

Subwoofers can be hard to dial in, especially in home studio environments that aren't acoustically optimized. The room dimensions, furniture, and even the placement of the subwoofer itself can significantly affect the sound. If not properly dialed in, it can lead to issues like standing waves, bass buildup in corners, and uneven frequency response across the listening area.

Plus, getting a seamless crossover between the subwoofer and the main monitors requires precise calibration. Doing it right can be both technically demanding and time-consuming, especially without the right measurement tools and expertise.

Con: Price

While there are definitely more affordable studio subwoofers on the market than there ever have been, only the most expensive ones will have the key features you need for the utmost accuracy, including EQ and active crossover points.

If you absolutely need one, it might be worth the investment. However, if you're just thinking of getting your hands on one to experiment, you may be better off with just your nearfields.

Final Thoughts

If you've decided a subwoofer isn't right for you, there are still plenty of options you can take advantage of to get the most out of your low-end.

From full-range monitors that can accurately reproduce ultra-low energy to room correction software that can help you get the best balance out of your mixes, not having a subwoofer isn't the end of the world. Plus, you always have your car to check your mixes on!