Subwoofer size to rock any bar.

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Subwoofer size to rock any bar.
Posted on: 16.09.2013 by Yetta Prickel
Im lookin for a woofer that will be powerful enough to fill most average bars with bass. Obviously cubic ft will come into play but i wont be playing at large clubs. I want the people to know its there not just barely be able to fill a room. Theres 18" and 15". how many watts would be sufficient to get the job done and have extra to play with.

This is a noob question. Im not looking for that perfect sub power from anyone just a general watt and speaker size some of you use for medium to large bars.
Doreen Schurle
20.09.2013		You can build a tuned 40Hz-60Hz sub (or anywhere in between) which will not only FILL a room but potentially damage the pointing (mortar between the bricks) which runs off a pair of
Erica Charvet
21.09.2013
Originally Posted by loverocket
what are you talking about man?
First of all, the difference between 1 sub and 2 subs is +3 db.
This one sub will pound an average size bar (50 feet x 60 feet, low ceiling) He did say bar, not club.>
Wrong. Doubling cone area and power, while coupled, theoretically adds ~6db to your total output. This is quite noticeable and gives you quite a bit more legroom over a single. A dual 18, corner loaded, will do quite well in most small to medium venues. However, most singles (yes, even the KW181 or even an SRX 718) will struggle, even corner loaded, in a loud environment.

Those Yamahas are decent for the price... but a single will certainly not "pound" anything other than a coffee shop.

Of course this is all controlled by what his client is willing to pay. I wouldn't bring dual 18's for a $200 gig either. In that case, don't even bother with subs. Get a good pair of 15" tops and call it a day.

Personally I wouldn't go anything smaller than dual 18's. But I also believe sound quality is the most important aspect of a evening .
This is also an important point - remember you don't have to (nor should you) use the full output of your subs all of the time. Granted, with a single sub, you're going to have to. But going with multiples lets you run them at 80%-90% to decrease distortion and increase low-end extension. They'll sound better, last longer, and your amps will thank you.
Warner Rotberg
20.09.2013		Minimum I'd go for in a PA type sub is 18". As I said, my/most PA speakers already have 15's in them.

bass-cannon-700x466.jpg
Jerica Salava
20.09.2013
Originally Posted by Mr_Moo
I've got my own PA gear and I'd say def go with 18" or bigger. My PA speakers have 15" in them as it is. You can always turn the bass down, but you cant magic it up if you require more and you only have 15"!
18" or bigger ???

wow. get a 32" subwoofer !

Bigger woofer! bigger BASS !

Oy vey.
Doreen Schurle
20.09.2013		You can build a tuned 40Hz-60Hz sub (or anywhere in between) which will not only FILL a room but potentially damage the pointing (mortar between the bricks) which runs off a pair of
Jerica Salava
20.09.2013
Originally Posted by sss18734
Most 15" and 18" subs will "barely fill the room" unless you spend at least 1K per driver. Something like a single KW181 or PRX718 is a start. Anything cheaper than that and you are really just wasting your time and your money when you decide to upgrade later.

If they like their music loud with some prominent bass, you're looking at at least 2 decent 18" subs off 2-4KW, corner loaded.
what are you talking about man?

First of all, the difference between 1 sub and 2 subs is +3 db.

This one sub will pound an average size bar (50 feet x 60 feet, low ceiling) He did say bar, not club.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-D...54-i2331556.gc

>
Yetta Prickel
17.09.2013
Originally Posted by sobi
If budget isn't too contrictive, go QSC. They have one of the best performing speakers in it's class (only matched by a certain JBL line which I can't recall), but what puts them over the top is their warranty. 6 years, and when you are dealing with mobile gear , that's a HUGE bonus since anything can happen.
budget is constrictive i need something to get me by until money is flowing 500 bucks is the budget with some play thats why i was looking at the behringer but i see a ton of used ones for sale that need repair on musicians friend and guitar center. Im guessing they are either a popular sub or they arent that durable.
Jerica Salava
21.09.2013		That Yamaha DXS 15 is all you need for a bar.

He said a bar. Which I'm assuming is not much bigger than an average restaurant.

I've played backyard pool parties with one DXS 15 (not corner loaded) and it's been great.

>
Erica Charvet
21.09.2013
Originally Posted by loverocket
what are you talking about man?
First of all, the difference between 1 sub and 2 subs is +3 db.
This one sub will pound an average size bar (50 feet x 60 feet, low ceiling) He did say bar, not club.>
Wrong. Doubling cone area and power, while coupled, theoretically adds ~6db to your total output. This is quite noticeable and gives you quite a bit more legroom over a single. A dual 18, corner loaded, will do quite well in most small to medium venues. However, most singles (yes, even the KW181 or even an SRX 718) will struggle, even corner loaded, in a loud environment.

Those Yamahas are decent for the price... but a single will certainly not "pound" anything other than a coffee shop.

Of course this is all controlled by what his client is willing to pay. I wouldn't bring dual 18's for a $200 gig either. In that case, don't even bother with subs. Get a good pair of 15" tops and call it a day.

Personally I wouldn't go anything smaller than dual 18's. But I also believe sound quality is the most important aspect of a evening .
This is also an important point - remember you don't have to (nor should you) use the full output of your subs all of the time. Granted, with a single sub, you're going to have to. But going with multiples lets you run them at 80%-90% to decrease distortion and increase low-end extension. They'll sound better, last longer, and your amps will thank you.
Audrey Pinda
21.09.2013		I'll be honest. We run 2x QSC KW181 subs, and we're already looking to see what we can add that would add a little bit more. We've done sound with bigger production companies before with some larger passive subs setup as well, and it's amazing with the extra punch added on.

We are stuck deciding if we want to get another pair of 181's, or if we want to start venturing into the realm of passive. (We run a monthly in a one-room venue at the moment that is decent size, expanding to other venues in the future, completely mobile setup).

Personally I wouldn't go anything smaller than dual 18's. But I also believe sound quality is the most important aspect of a evening .
Warner Rotberg
20.09.2013		Minimum I'd go for in a PA type sub is 18". As I said, my/most PA speakers already have 15's in them.

bass-cannon-700x466.jpg
Jerica Salava
20.09.2013
Originally Posted by Mr_Moo
I've got my own PA gear and I'd say def go with 18" or bigger. My PA speakers have 15" in them as it is. You can always turn the bass down, but you cant magic it up if you require more and you only have 15"!
18" or bigger ???

wow. get a 32" subwoofer !

Bigger woofer! bigger BASS !

Oy vey.
Warner Rotberg
20.09.2013		I've got my own PA gear and I'd say def go with 18" or bigger. My PA speakers have 15" in them as it is. You can always turn the bass down, but you cant magic it up if you require more and you only have 15"!
Doreen Schurle
20.09.2013		You can build a tuned 40Hz-60Hz sub (or anywhere in between) which will not only FILL a room but potentially damage the pointing (mortar between the bricks) which runs off a pair of
Jerica Salava
20.09.2013
Originally Posted by sss18734
Most 15" and 18" subs will "barely fill the room" unless you spend at least 1K per driver. Something like a single KW181 or PRX718 is a start. Anything cheaper than that and you are really just wasting your time and your money when you decide to upgrade later.

If they like their music loud with some prominent bass, you're looking at at least 2 decent 18" subs off 2-4KW, corner loaded.
what are you talking about man?

First of all, the difference between 1 sub and 2 subs is +3 db.

This one sub will pound an average size bar (50 feet x 60 feet, low ceiling) He did say bar, not club.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-D...54-i2331556.gc

>
Erica Charvet
20.09.2013		Most 15" and 18" subs will "barely fill the room" unless you spend at least 1K per driver. Something like a single KW181 or PRX718 is a start. Anything cheaper than that and you are really just wasting your time and your money when you decide to upgrade later.

If they like their music loud with some prominent bass, you're looking at at least 2 decent 18" subs off 2-4KW, corner loaded.
Trista Karle
19.09.2013		Any thoughts on alto subs?
What style of sub folded horn? Or regular is where I am at now in my purchase plans but don't know what to choose
Darren Teboe
18.09.2013		Get what you pay for. Around these parts, there tends to be a more positive view of Behringer. Personally, I don't like them due to their legacy of awful reliability. Think about saving up for QSC or that JBL. It may take longer, but you'll be VERY happy you waited.
Yetta Prickel
17.09.2013
Originally Posted by sobi
If budget isn't too contrictive, go QSC. They have one of the best performing speakers in it's class (only matched by a certain JBL line which I can't recall), but what puts them over the top is their warranty. 6 years, and when you are dealing with mobile gear , that's a HUGE bonus since anything can happen.
budget is constrictive i need something to get me by until money is flowing 500 bucks is the budget with some play thats why i was looking at the behringer but i see a ton of used ones for sale that need repair on musicians friend and guitar center. Im guessing they are either a popular sub or they arent that durable.
Dannie Dimora
17.09.2013		You need approximately 1.21 gigawatts for that.
Darren Teboe
17.09.2013		If budget isn't too contrictive, go QSC. They have one of the best performing speakers in it's class (only matched by a certain JBL line which I can't recall), but what puts them over the top is their warranty. 6 years, and when you are dealing with mobile gear , that's a HUGE bonus since anything can happen.
Yetta Prickel
17.09.2013		Anyone have any knowledge of Behringer?

Im looking at
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Behringe...76-i1843075.gc

This seems lower end but a good price for what you get and is within my price range of 200-500 (aproximately) . Im unsure of a class D amplifier though.
Armando Waithour
17.09.2013		we use these 18" subs (http://www.pl-audio.de/index.php/lau...oofer/b-18-sub) in a club for up to 250 people. sound great and let you really feel the deep sounds.
Bryon Taglieri
17.09.2013		Buy the best you can afford as the difference between 15 and 18 inch woofers and there wattage is less important as the quality of the speaker and amp combo but I would have thought that one or two 15 active speakers would be plenty.
Rick Campora
17.09.2013		I have used 2 or 4 DB Technologies Opera Sub 15s depending on the venue, I did a 120-150 wedding last Friday in a hotel room and used 2 which was ample without thrashing anything, probably only half volume. Before that I did a 150+ dinner dance in a marquee and because it was basically an open arena (being in a marquee on a rugby pitch) and would lose more sound I used all 4, but we had the council round at 12:30am asking me to cut the volume as they could hear it 2 roads away, specifically the bass.. so maybe that was overkill... The subs are heavy, but simple to setup and do the job. Short answer: one or two active 15s would likely be fine.
Dione Haimes
17.09.2013		Bar i used to play in was a 15 incher, sat at the opposite end of the venue, was reaaaal nice, that was a 200 person bar.
Vito Chesnut
17.09.2013		I love my QSC KW181. That thing will handle anything you throw at it, it has a rock solid built in amp, and has rollers so it is easy to move if need be. http://qsc.com/products/Loudspeakers/KW%20Series/KW181/
Lannie Kutay
17.09.2013		a 15 inch will be real tight and punchy. an 18 or 20 can get kinda muddy in small areas.
Yetta Prickel
16.09.2013		ill be playing rap/trap so id like to have a prominent bass line 10" seems kinda small. i need folks to feel it in their chest but not be ignorant.
Latoria Kavulich
16.09.2013		We use a 10" B&W active sub. For anything more than 50 ppl, you would need to look at a 600Wrms+ 15-18"
It all depends on the venue really. And remember bodies absorb sound

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