Where to Place Sonos Subwoofer?

A subwoofer can’t perform better if you don’t place it in the correct location. The same goes for the Sonos system. If you don’t really know about Sonos subwoofer placement, here’s the quick answer after experiencing with it:

A Sonos subwoofer has a wireless connectivity feature that allows it to be placed anywhere in the room. However, the most ideal position is close to the floor, where it has an available electric outlet & enough air to reproduce the low-frequency bass. Most folks like it under the couch, which I’ll discuss below.

Let’s dive in to get the best sound from your Sonos system!

Why Does Placement Matter for Your Sonos Sub?

Fair enough, I’ve already said that placement really matters to get the optimal performance from your Sonos system sub. In the case of Sonos subwoofers, their design allows them to act as a decorative component (according to your room) on the floor while providing you with nice punchy bass (making you enjoy high-quality audio).

Moreover, proper positioning also ensures optimal sound distribution and minimizes audio cancellation, thus enhancing your overall listening experience. I’ve seen some audiophiles placing the Sonos subwoofer inside the cabinet, which is a big red flag.

The subwoofer won’t work correctly there. However, my guide is generated after I have experienced the complete Sonos system, including the Sonos soundbar, in the home theater system.

Ideal Spots for Sonos Subwoofer Placement:

After experiencing a lot of rooms where I successfully figured out the right placement for the Sonos sub, here are my suggestions for you:

1. The Front of the Room (Below or Beside the TV):

Let’s begin with the front room subwoofer placement for Sonos! In most rooms, I have found this spot as the ideal one to keep the sub. If you have attached the TV to the wall using a bracket, you can place the subwoofer to the side of it.

On the other hand, if you have a TV that is placed on a stand, you can place the subwoofer under the cabinet while ensuring it has enough air space to keep the sub moving.

This way, the Sonos subwoofer will deliver a robust and immersive bass experience that seamlessly complements the audio from the TV and front-channel other Sonos speakers.

Furthermore, I have also concluded that this positioning proves ideal for smaller rooms or setups where space is limited, allowing for efficient use of available floor space.

2. Under Your Chair or Sofa:

Some audiophiles prefer hidden placement for the Sonos subwoofer. There comes the under-chair or sofa placement, which is an innovative and efficient choice for those who value aesthetics and audio quality.

In this position, you’ll get a unique blend of functionality and style, satisfying the requirements of modern living spaces that are often cramped and limited. You can save space without compromising the quality of the sound output.

However, the subwoofer, tucked neatly under a sofa or chair, is effectively hidden from view, maintaining your room’s sleek and minimalist appeal.

There are some considerations that I must provide if you’re going with this position. Ensure you determine your Sonos subwoofer model dimension and compare it with the area under the couch.

The Sonos Sub Gen 3 has 15.3″ × 15.8″ × 6.2″ (H × W × D). You can go with this option if there’s enough space for the enclosure to be laid flat under the sofa. Otherwise, you can choose another suitable position for it.

3. Behind Your Sofa:

However, I don’t like this position, but that doesn’t mean it won’t impress you. Placing the Sonos subwoofer behind the sitting position has gained popularity among audiophiles.

This option is suitable for those who don’t want to compromise the front room space and enjoy an impressive movie and music experience.

After placing the Sonos sub-gen behind your sitting area, the sound waves will bounce off the walls and furniture, creating a sense of enveloping sound and making your audio content more captivating.

This placement will also help reduce the direct localization of bass. However, one thing you need to remember here is to leave some space between the subwoofer and the wall behind the sofa.

A few inches of clearance will work like a charm by preventing excessive bass reflections and improving the overall bass performance.

4. Corner Placement:

This placement is especially for those who are using dual Sonos subwoofers. For example, if you have only one Sonos subwoofer that is placed either on the left or right corner of the room, you will notice a less localized, meaning it becomes harder to pinpoint the exact source of the bass sound.

On the other hand, if you have two Sonon subwoofers placed on both the right and left corners of your room, the subs will project the low frequencies more efficiently into the room.

This results in a deeper, fuller, and richer bass experience. However, I would also add that this does not apply to all the rooms. Other factors, like room size, shape, furnishings, and the location of other speakers, can influence overall sound quality.

5. On Your Shelf (Not Recommended):

In very few room acoustics, I have found that placing the Sonos subwoofer on the shelf provided an excellent music experience. In most cases, this position didn’t work as I thought (That’s why I don’t recommend it)—moreover, the Sonos Sub Gen. 3 weighs 29 lb (13.15 kg) which is not ideal for thinner shelves.

When you place it on a shelf, these vibrations can cause undesired rattling or shaking of the shelf and other objects located on it, potentially leading to damage or disturbances.

Furthermore, shelf placement often leads to less efficient sound propagation. Anyway, these models are built for floor placement. Positioning them at a lower level helps maximize the impact of their vibrations, allowing you to feel the bass and hear it.

How to Find a Perfect Spot for Your Sonos Subwoofer Using Crawl Method?

Still haven’t found the sweet spot for your Sonos subwoofer? Follow the below steps because I am 100% sure you will get the right placement of Sonos subwoofer.

1. Set Up the Subwoofer:

Before starting the process, you’ll have to pair the Sonos subwoofer with your desired device and power it on. Once connected, place it in the central area of your room. If you ask me, I use the middle of one of the walls or the center of your TV stand.

2. Disable Trueplay (If Applicable):

Some Sonos subwoofers come with a beneficial feature called Trueplay using the Sonos app. It allows automated audio settings based on the room acoustics. As we have to use the crawling method, just temporarily deactivate it. You can re-enable it later once you’ve found the sweet spot of your Sonos subwoofer.

3. Play a Bass-Heavy Track:

Either you can play a bass-heavy song or tone that provides consistent, deep bass notes. Playing the right audio is necessary to execute the subwoofer crawling method correctly.

4. Get Down to Crawl:

Once you have played the song at a moderate volume level, you must lie down on your hands and knees like a tiny baby (For more better results, you can even lie down on your stomach). In this posture, you can easily detect the changes in bass response. You just have to focus on the ground, where lower frequencies are more prominent.

5. Crawl Around the Room:

Now, you should start crawling slowly and steadily to move around the different room spots while the bass tone is still running. Give close attention to the bass quality and intensity as you move from one area to another. Keep in check any significant changes in bass response.

6. Stop at the “Sweet Spot”:

You should stop at the spot where the bass frequencies feel deep, rich, and well-balanced. Mark the spot down. This spot is known as the “ideal spot” for your Sonos subwoofer.

7. Test From Different Listening Positions:

Once marking the initial sweet spot, you should give it another try crawling back to your listening position (usually where you sit or stand to listen to music or watch TV). Ensure the bass sounds balanced and satisfying from this area as well. If you fail to get the desired results, you will have to compromise between the sweet spot and your primary listening position.

8. Experiment and Fine-Tune:

Don’t worry after finding the initial sweet spot unsuitable for your primary listening position, don’t worry. You can keep repeating the crawling process again and again once the sweet spot meets your personal preferences. In the process, you can also fine-tune the subwoofer using the Sonos app. 

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