E Q U I P M E N T R E P O R T
SUBWOOFER
Infinity Systems Interlude IL120s
As
There are formulas and computer pro- grams that will suggest subwoofer position- ing, but, in my opinion, these are not as use-
ful as they seem. The ones I’m familiar with all use a mathematical model that assumes a
One bit of advice that’s hard to argue with is that the subwoofer should be moved around until you find the position that pro- duces the best
with the main speakers. Fair enough, but even if you ignore the possibility that you’ll have to make tradeoffs among the different criteria of subwoofer performance (for instance, the position that gives you the high- est output might not produce the smoothest integration), this approach assumes that you have considerable flexibility in subwoofer positioning. Again, the reality may be quite different. The position that’s ideal for the sub- woofer may be exactly where you have the equipment rack, with no other convenient place in the room to put the equipment. Or the subwoofer might sound best when placed in a position that will almost guaran- tee that people will trip over it or its cables.
Equalization
SPECIFICATIONS
Interlude IL120s ported active subwoofer | Weight: 45 lbs. |
Driver: one 12" C.M.M.D. cone | Price: $899; Bass Optimization Test & |
Frequency response: | Measurement Kit, $59.95 |
Amplifier output: 500W |
|
<0.1% THD) | Manufacturer |
Crossover frequencies: | Infinity Systems |
24dB/octave, continuously variable | 250 Crossways Park Drive |
Controls: subwoofer level, phase (0°/180°), | Woodbury, NY 11797 |
crossover frequency, R.A.B.O.S. (see text) | tel. (800) |
Finishes: cherry, natural maple, | fax (516) |
Dimensions: 171⁄2" ⋅ 171⁄4" ⋅ 193⁄4" | www.infinitysystems.com |
(H⋅W⋅D) |
|
One approach to improving
First, boosting a frequency that corre- sponds to a dip in the frequency response is not advisable. A dip usually indicates acoustic cancellation, and boosting the level at this frequency is like feeding power into an acoustic black hole. You’ll end up pushing the subwoofer to high output lev- els, with little to show for it, except possibly driving the woofer into audible distortion.
Attenuating a peak might be effective,
74Stereophile Guide to Home Theater • November 2001