Why 'downfire' a subwoofer ?

[Queef]

Watch what happens when something is downfired into a surface , it spreads out in every direction.



Questions ?

[Holmz]

On a serious note (pun)...
There is something that happens when I listen to an iPad and I have my paw near its speaker.
There is some Horn like coupling, or acoustic impedance matching that improves the sound loudness.

I am nut sure I understand it, but is a down fire sub doing the same thing?

[papacueball]

Probably acting as a crude waveguide.

Something to consider when down firing a speaker.
https://www.parts-express.com/resour...-mount-up-down

[Theslaking]

I've downfired subs in my work trucks for 10- years. I did an a/b comparison the first time. With a ported box there was no difference after I got about 2" away from the floor.

I have had zero problems. The speaker's suspension goes both ways so it will sag either way over time. I thought the sealed box was better downfiring for in a center console box but I didn't do a true a/b.

[Queef]

It is one way to skin the cat and there are others .

Video not as confusing as one of my lame analogies ?

[Hillbilly SQ]

I used to be all about downfiring as long as the sub was against the rear wall of a vehicle. In my current truck I was having some serious response issues with 10" sub downfired in the rear passenger corner in my single cab Ram. Trying every which way I figured out that firing forward into the passenger seat was best over all(remember my truck is a single cab...you know those funny looking 2 door trucks you don't hardly see on the road anymore because 4 door trucks with a midget bed have taken the place of the family station wagon for some odd reason). Once I did that little experiment it didn't take long for me to switch back to a 12" sub because the mounting depth was all that mattered then instead of the mounting diameter when downfiring.

[Queef]

Did it get more deebees than downfired ? or just easier to put in truck ?

[Hillbilly SQ]

Better linearity throughout the whole passband when forward fired into the seat vs downfired. Cancellation was happening when downfired. This is why I can't stand blanket recommendations for sub position because it totally depends on the install. The owner of the car and sub MUST get out there and put some sweat equity into figuring out what works best for them.

[DavidRam]

I'm down firing my current sub for three reasons:

1. I have too little depth in the Jeep, about 10" total, but plenty of height
2. In a topless vehicle, I have heard that it helps "contain" the bass
3. I had a Sundown sub down firing in my previous Wrangler and it had the most insane bass I have ever had

[Queef]

Cancellation was happening when downfired.

Would you describe how testing for cancellation is done ?
You aren't just guessing, right ?
I have seen where " supposed " cancellation caused problems for an IDMAX mounted in an IB configuration . Turned out to not have 'any' cancellation issues .