How To Hide A Subwoofer In Living Room: Blending Sound & Style

Want to know how to hide a subwoofer in your living room? You can conceal a subwoofer using creative placement, disguising techniques, and strategically chosen furniture. The goal is to integrate it seamlessly into your decor without sacrificing sound quality. This guide explores how to blend your subwoofer into your living space, achieving both excellent audio and aesthetic appeal.

Image Source: roomfortuesday.com

Why Hide Your Subwoofer?

Let’s face it, subwoofers aren’t always the most visually appealing piece of audio equipment. Here are a few reasons why you might want to hide yours:

• Aesthetic Harmony: A bulky black box can disrupt the carefully curated look of your living room. Hiding it helps maintain a cohesive design.
• Space Saving: In smaller living rooms, a visible subwoofer can take up valuable floor space.
• Child & Pet Safety: Keeping your subwoofer out of reach can prevent accidental damage or injuries.
• Noise Reduction: While it may be counter-intuitive, strategically hiding a subwoofer can reduce unwanted vibrations and resonances by coupling it better with the room.

Optimizing Sound While Concealing

Before diving into subwoofer placement ideas and hiding methods, it’s crucial to understand how concealment impacts sound. Poor placement can lead to muddy bass, diminished clarity, and an uneven soundstage.

Fathoming Subwoofer Acoustics

Subwoofers produce low-frequency sounds, which are omnidirectional, meaning they radiate in all directions. This characteristic allows for more flexibility in subwoofer placement, but it also means that the surrounding environment significantly affects the sound.

• Corner Placement: Often enhances bass response due to acoustic loading but can result in boomy, less defined bass.
• Placement Along a Wall: Can provide a good balance of bass reinforcement without excessive boominess.
• Placement Away From Walls: May result in a weaker bass response but can improve clarity and reduce unwanted vibrations.

The Subwoofer Crawl Technique

The “subwoofer crawl” is a proven method for finding the best subwoofer location living room.

1. Place your subwoofer where you typically sit.
2. Play a bass-heavy track with consistent low-frequency information.
3. Crawl around the room, listening for the location where the bass sounds the most balanced, clear, and powerful.
4. Place your subwoofer in that location.

While the crawl is a good starting point, you may need to make minor adjustments after concealing the subwoofer to fine-tune the sound.

Creative Subwoofer Hiding Strategies

Now, let’s explore various creative subwoofer hiding strategies, ranging from simple solutions to more elaborate projects.

1. Subwoofer Behind Couch

Placing your subwoofer behind couch is a popular and effective method, especially for larger sectionals.

• Pros: Discreet, utilizes otherwise unused space, can improve bass response due to proximity to listeners.
• Cons: May require moving furniture, can be less effective if the couch is flush against the wall, some couches may vibrate.

Considerations:

• Leave a few inches of space between the subwoofer and the couch to prevent rattling.
• Experiment with positioning the subwoofer facing forward or backward to see which sounds better.
• Use furniture risers to lift the couch slightly and create more space.

2. Subwoofer Concealment Furniture

Subwoofer concealment furniture offers a stylish and functional way to hide subwoofer without affecting sound.

• End Tables: Replace a standard end table with a custom-built or modified end table that houses the subwoofer. The top of the table can still be used for lamps, books, or drinks.
• Console Tables: A console table placed behind a sofa or against a wall can conceal a subwoofer while providing additional storage and display space.
• Ottomans: A hollow ottoman with a removable top can be an excellent hiding spot, especially if you choose one with a fabric that complements your existing furniture.

Benefits:

• Seamless integration into your existing decor.
• Provides a functional piece of furniture.
• Can be custom-built to match your specific subwoofer dimensions and aesthetic preferences.

3. DIY Subwoofer Enclosure

A DIY subwoofer enclosure offers complete customization and control over the subwoofer concealment.

• Building a Custom Cabinet: Construct a cabinet that matches your existing furniture style and houses the subwoofer. Ensure the cabinet has proper ventilation and acoustic properties.
• Repurposing Existing Furniture: Modify an existing cabinet, dresser, or other piece of furniture to accommodate the subwoofer. This is a cost-effective and eco-friendly option.

Tips for a Successful DIY Project:

• Plan Carefully: Measure your subwoofer accurately and create a detailed design plan before starting construction.
• Choose the Right Materials: Use high-quality wood or MDF for durability and acoustic performance.
• Consider Ventilation: Provide ample ventilation to prevent overheating.
• Acoustic Treatment: Line the inside of the enclosure with acoustic foam or batting to reduce unwanted resonances.

4. Integrate Subwoofer Decor

Sometimes, the best way to hide something is in plain sight. Integrate subwoofer decor involves disguising your subwoofer with decorative elements.

• Fabric Screen: Cover the subwoofer with a decorative fabric screen that matches your curtains or upholstery.
• Plant Stand: Place a tall plant stand in front of the subwoofer, partially obscuring it from view.
• Decorative Objects: Arrange decorative objects, such as vases, sculptures, or books, around the subwoofer to camouflage it.

Key Considerations:

• Ensure that the decorative elements do not block the subwoofer’s driver completely, as this can negatively affect sound quality.
• Choose materials that are acoustically transparent to minimize sound absorption.

5. Disguise Subwoofer as a Piece of Art

Disguise subwoofer by making it look like a piece of art. This can be achieved using a number of methods.

• Canvas Wrap: Stretch a canvas print around the subwoofer, creating a visually appealing piece of art that also serves as a speaker cover.
• Mirrored Surface: Attach a mirrored surface to the front of the subwoofer to reflect the surrounding room and make it blend in.
• Painted Design: Paint a decorative design directly onto the subwoofer enclosure to match your room’s color scheme and style.

Important Note:

• Ensure the materials used for the disguise do not rattle or vibrate at high volumes.

Specific Placement Recommendations

Location	Pros	Cons	Sound Characteristics
Behind Couch	Discreet, space-saving, can improve bass response	May require moving furniture, potential for couch vibration	Enhanced bass, potential for localized bass, may need fine-tuning
Corner	Maximizes bass output, can be good for large rooms	Can result in boomy, less defined bass, may create standing waves	Powerful bass, potential for uneven frequency response
Along a Wall	Good balance of bass reinforcement, less prone to boominess	May not be as discreet as other options	Balanced bass, even frequency response
Inside Furniture	Seamless integration, provides a functional piece of furniture	Requires custom construction or modification, potential for sound absorption if not properly designed	Can maintain sound quality with proper enclosure design and acoustic treatment
Under a Table/Surface	Can be hidden from view, may provide some acoustic loading	Potential for vibrations, may require additional soundproofing	Can be a good compromise between sound and aesthetics, may require some experimentation

Addressing Potential Sound Issues

Even with careful planning, concealing a subwoofer can sometimes lead to sound quality issues. Here are some common problems and how to fix them:

• Boominess: Reduce the subwoofer’s gain (volume) or move it away from corners. Consider using a parametric equalizer to reduce specific frequencies that are causing the boominess.
• Muddy Bass: Ensure the subwoofer is properly crossed over with your main speakers. Experiment with different crossover frequencies to find the optimal setting. Also, make sure the subwoofer is not placed on a resonant surface.
• Rattling: Tighten any loose screws or panels on the subwoofer enclosure or surrounding furniture. Use foam pads or rubber feet to dampen vibrations.
• Weak Bass: Increase the subwoofer’s gain or move it closer to a wall or corner. Verify that the subwoofer is properly connected and configured in your audio system settings.

Final Thoughts

Hiding a subwoofer in your living room is achievable without compromising sound quality. By considering acoustics, employing creative subwoofer hiding techniques, and addressing potential issues proactively, you can seamlessly integrate subwoofer decor into your space. Whether you choose to conceal subwoofer using furniture, DIY subwoofer enclosure, or clever placement, the goal is to achieve a harmonious blend of audio performance and visual appeal. Subwoofer placement ideas are numerous, so experiment and see what works best in your space.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I put a rug over my subwoofer?
Yes, but with caution. A thin, porous rug is less likely to significantly affect sound quality than a thick, dense rug. Avoid covering the entire subwoofer, especially the driver.

What is the best way to reduce subwoofer vibrations?
Use isolation platforms, rubber feet, or foam pads under the subwoofer. These materials dampen vibrations and prevent them from transferring to the floor or surrounding furniture.

How far away from the wall should my subwoofer be?
Generally, a few inches to a foot. Experiment to find the sweet spot. Closer to the wall increases bass, further away may improve clarity.

Does the type of flooring affect subwoofer sound?
Yes. Hard floors tend to reflect sound, increasing bass response, while carpeted floors absorb sound, potentially reducing bass. You may need to adjust subwoofer placement and settings accordingly.

What is the ideal crossover frequency for my subwoofer?
Typically between 80Hz and 120Hz, but it depends on your main speakers. Start with 80Hz and adjust until the bass sounds seamless with the rest of the audio.

Should I use a wireless subwoofer?
Wireless subwoofers offer placement flexibility but may introduce latency or interference. Wired connections generally provide more reliable performance.

Who is the best person to ask for help with integrating a subwoofer?
An audio professional or experienced home theater installer can provide expert advice tailored to your specific setup and room acoustics.