Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio Difference between woofer and subwoofer?

Well then Dave I guess you do not drive a Porsche or Ferrari for where exactly would you put a fifteen inch woofer in vehicles like those?

You put them in place of the spare tire in the front trunk, or in the case of the F360 modena, there was one that had two 10 inch subs installed above the pedals in the foowells.

There were no subwoofers, by name, in the 1970's but there were 15" speakers.
Until Audio Engineers for Pioneer coined the phrase (which was used to reference different size speakers) the title "subwoofer" didn't exist.
By populaur usage in the late 80's and early 90's, subwoofers became known as speakers that played lower freq range effectively. As you pointed out, there are 15" midranges, and they can play down around 20Hz, but sound like complete cr@p, because they don't play the lower freq ranges effectively.
So, as I know it, the origin and original meaning of the word, had to do with size. Populaur usage, which has turned into definition, is in refenece to freq range.

I consider a blown speaker one that is permanently damaged. Torn spiders/surrounds, warped or burnt coils, torn tinsel leads, popping/scratching sounds, etc.

:p right on - makes sinse

"SUBWOOFER: A speaker designed to produce the lowest audio frequencies at an adequate volume. Most subwoofers, or "subs" as they're commonly called, are designed to operate from 80 Hz downwards, as the ear can usually pinpoint the source of any higher frequencies. The bass units of small three-piece systems are commonly referred to as subwoofers, but they often have limited output below 50 Hz or so."
Source:
http://www.diysubwoofers.org/define.htm

Besides the above quote, please analyze the word SubWoofer. Let us take the first part of the word "Sub".

sub-
pref.
Below; under; beneath:
http://www.dictionary.com/search?q=Sub

So, we can all agree that the word Sub means Below.

Now on to the second part of the word "Woofer".

woof·er Pronunciation Key (wfr)
n.
A loudspeaker designed to reproduce bass frequencies.

Woofer

n : a loudspeaker that reproduces lower audio frequency sounds

http://www.dictionary.com/search?q=Woofer

So after examining the the root definitions of the words that make up "SubWoofer" we can conclude that a SubWoofer is "a speaker that produces Bass or frequencies below that of a Woofer."

Given that most Woofers only produce quality sound to a level of 100Hz - 120Hz it would be safe to say that a SubWoofer would produce frequencies below those of a woofer.(As indicated in my first definition). Probably between 50Hz and 80Hz. Although most of the time systems are set up so there is overlap between the Woofer and the SubWoofer.

So Yes, there is a difference between a Woofer and a SubWoofer, A BIG DIFFERENCE!!!!

And Yes, the difference is all about Frequency Range and not the size. If you think is all about size then go talk to the people at Focal and inform them that their 5" Sub is really just a woofer not a SubWoofer. They will surely reward you for bringing the mistake to their attention.

http://www.focal.tm.fr/gb/car/utopia/5ws.htm

Hope this answers your question.

SVTGS5

The 5WS is a woofer only in advertising. The cabin gain of the vehicle is what allows it to produce any respectable bass levels. Measure it anechoically and it barely resembles a woofer. I would consider the subbass region the lowest audible octave. 20-40 hz. There are midrange speakers that will produce 80 hz competently, so 100 hz would be much too broad of a freq range.

My point to my posts was that in a car, the terminology is used loosely. A woofer than only produce adequate bass levels in a home down to 50-60 hz could have significant bass levels into the lower teens in a car. Hence, the use of the term subwoofer on just about any decent midbass/woofer.