A wireless soundbar sub can technically go anywhere there’s a power socket, but where you put it still makes a big difference to how it sounds. Here are the best positions, in the order to try them.
Keep the sub in the front half of the room, ideally along the front wall near the TV and soundbar, a little off to one side. Then fine-tune with the subwoofer crawl.
Why the front half of the room
Low bass is hard to locate, but the upper bass a soundbar sub plays (often up to 100–150 Hz, because soundbars can’t go very low) is easier to pinpoint. Keeping the sub near the soundbar keeps the sound anchored to the screen. Rear placement can make the bass seem to come from behind you.
Best positions, in order
- Front wall, beside the TV unit: try this first, a foot or two to one side of the soundbar.
- Front corner: more output, but more boom. Good if the room is large or the sub sounds weak.
- Side wall, front third of the room: a useful alternative if the front wall is crowded.
- Lying flat under a sofa (only for subs designed for it, like the Sonos Sub): convenient, but bass can be very strong at that seat and weaker elsewhere.
Use the subwoofer crawl
Place the sub on your seat, play bass-heavy content, and move around the front half of the room at floor level. Where bass sounds smoothest is where the sub should go. Full steps in subwoofer placement.
Crossover for soundbar use
Most soundbars set the crossover automatically. If yours lets you adjust it, a higher crossover (100–120 Hz) helps small soundbar drivers, but keep the sub near the front so it doesn’t become locatable.
Wireless subs and interference
Keep the sub away from Wi-Fi routers and microwaves if you hear dropouts, and avoid placing it inside furniture (see why not).
What the level should be
After placement, run any calibration your soundbar offers, then adjust the sub level so voices stay clear and effects have weight. See setting up a sub with a soundbar.