Do unpowered Subwoofers/Speaker effect room modes?


In my "small two channel" room I have two small powered subwoofers. Both are ported, one with two 6.5" woofers and the other with a single 6.5". These are part of a Computer system in which I mostly sit and peruse A'gon =). Neither have anything to do with the Audio rig. They are physically located under the desk on the opposite wall from the system.

I am attempting to apply various room treatments and I am wondering what effect these woofers may have on the them. Maybe some absorptive qualities? Could they effect room modes?

I read some on this topic a few years back. I recall that someone advocated that even the tiniest of speakers, like that in a phone receiver, could have a noticeable effect.

So before, I dig through a tangled web of computer cables, I humbly ask for your opinions.
distortion

Showing 1 response by vincehoffman

Well, I wiil second Rives' and Xiekitchen's observation that dormant speakers will "sing along" with the active speakers in the room. The louder you play the active speakers, the more appearant the cone resonance of the unpowered speakers is. Touch the cone of one of the unused speakers with your system playing to confirm this for yourself.

That being said, I've never bothered doing an A-B comparison by removing the inactive speakers and listening for a difference. In my case it wouldn't be practical anyway as the speakers in question are a pair of Paradigm Servo 15 subs that are used only for Movies and XBox.

Happy Trails!
Vince@freewheelcycle.com