Is Subwoofer Elevation a Viable Option?


I know this topic has had various discussions over the years, but despite a review of past comments, I could not get a definitive answer on its relative advantages and disadvantages. 

I run three subwoofers in my two channel system and am very pleased with the results, but some questions keep nagging me.

Because the sub is typically on the floor, along with all the furniture in the room, wouldn't low frequency waves be blocked/diffused a lot. Wouldn't the sound from a subwoofer benefit from an unencumbered dispersion of energy into the room?

Coaxial driver speakers have their "woofer" at ear height without causing issues. Why not ear height subwoofers?

Is it just because subs are large, heavy and require a power cable or are there sonic reasons for keeping subwoofers on the floor?

128x128tony1954

 Since subs produce low frequency audio which is Omni directional there is no need to elevate.  In bottom firing subs elevation would be counter productive. 

I have run multiple subs for a number of years in different rooms. Good news,  furniture has minimal impact on sub. That said, elevating subs does change how they interact in the room so it is worth experimenting with. You'll lose some reinforcement from the floor but you may like how the sound changes. Like all things in the hobby, let your ears decide what you like best.

Elevated on of my REL S/510's by stacking one on top of the other and it was a game-changer. Ended all my moving around silliness.

@artemus_5 REL's are made to be stacked (if desired). That's why they come with those brackets and screws. I attended REL's subwoofer seminar at Upscale audio and specifically asked REL rep about this.