How to Choose a Subwoofer for Your Home Theater
By Addicted To Audio - Home Audio Electronics & Accessories | Published: 2026-10-18
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to pick the right subwoofer for your home theater based on room size, placement, and bass goals. Includes decision rules and a look at the Lyngdorf BW-20 Boundary Woofer.
Quick answer
Start by measuring your room volume and listening habits. For tight, clean bass in medium-to-large rooms, consider a boundary woofer like the Lyngdorf BW-20; for smaller spaces, a compact sealed sub often works better.
Room size dictates subwoofer size and type
A larger room needs more air movement to pressurize the space. Ported subwoofers move more air for a given size, but sealed subwoofers offer tighter, more controlled bass. Boundary woofers like the Lyngdorf BW-20 use wall or corner placement to couple with the room, delivering deep bass without a huge cabinet.
Placement changes what you hear
Subwoofer placement dramatically affects frequency response and bass smoothness. Corner placement boosts output but can create boominess. The Lyngdorf BW-20 is designed specifically to be placed near walls or boundaries, turning room gain into an advantage rather than a problem.
Refurbished units offer savings with caveats
A refurbished subwoofer like the Lyngdorf BW-20 (Refurbished) can save you over 25% off the catalog price. However, refurbished units may have been repaired, have a damaged box, or be customer returns. Always check the warranty and return policy before buying.
Decision rules for choosing your subwoofer
- Measure your room volume: Multiply length × width × height in feet. Under 1,500 cu ft: a 10-inch sealed sub is usually enough. 1,500–3,000 cu ft: consider a 12-inch or a boundary woofer. Over 3,000 cu ft: look at dual subs or a high-output 15-inch. Write down your room volume before shopping.
- Choose sealed, ported, or boundary design: Sealed: tight, musical bass, smaller footprint. Ported: louder, deeper but can be boomy. Boundary: uses room walls to reinforce bass, ideal when you want to hide the subwoofer near a wall or corner.
- Decide on placement first: If the sub must go in a corner or against a wall, a boundary woofer like the Lyngdorf BW-20 is engineered for that. If you have flexibility, do the subwoofer crawl test to find the smoothest spot. Placement often matters more than brand or price.
- Check amplifier power and connectivity: Look for at least 300W RMS for a 12-inch sub in a medium room. Ensure your receiver has a dedicated subwoofer pre-out (LFE). For wireless options, check latency specs. Match the sub's power to your room size, not just the speaker brand.
- Consider refurbished for budget flexibility: Refurbished units like the Lyngdorf BW-20 (Refurbished) offer high-end performance at a lower price. Confirm the condition (e.g., cosmetic damage vs. functional repair) and warranty terms. Ask the seller what 'refurbished' specifically covers.
Product spotlight
- Lyngdorf BW-20 Boundary Woofer (Refurbished): The BW stands for Boundary woofer – a Lyngdorf approach where a subwoofer is designed to be placed near walls or corners. This means you can place it out of sight against a wall and still get deep, even bass without the boominess typical of corner-loaded subs.
Lyngdorf BW-20 Boundary Woofer (Refurbished)
Who this is for
Best for
- Home theater owners with medium to large rooms who want deep, clean bass without a giant cabinet
- Buyers who can place the subwoofer near a wall or corner and want to leverage room gain
Not for
- Small apartments where even a compact sub may be too much for neighbors
- Audiophiles who need the fastest transient response for critical music listening (sealed subs often win there)
