Subwoofer size in theaters? (1 Viewer)

[Mark Kasprzak]

I was just reading this thread, and I was wondering - does anyone know how large the Subs that are used in theaters are? Some of the theaters I've been to have impressed me with the volume of the lower frequencies, especially for the size of the room.
Just curious.

 

[farnamT]

Most subs in theaters are either 15" or 18" PA subwoofers. Probably JBL. Most theaters here in Minnesota have pretty crappy bass extention. My home sub sounds better and deeper.

 

[Phil Iturralde]

Just a sampling from JBL PRO webpage ... 4000 Series Cinema LF and
Subwoofer Systems
Low Frequency Systems
· 4638 Dual 15", 800 Watt Low Frequency System
· 4648A Dual 15", 1200 Watt Low Frequency System, 4 ohms
Dual 15" Low Frequency System, 4 ohms.

· 4648A-8 Dual 15", 1200 Watt Low Frequency System, 8 ohms
Subwoofers
· 4641 Single 18", 600 Watt THX®-Approved Subwoofer
Single 460 mm (18 in) High Power Subwoofer.
Approved by Lucasfilm, Ltd. for THX® system installations.

· 4642A Dual 18", 1200 Watt THX®-Approved Subwoofer
JBL Dual 460 mm (18 in) Direct-Radiator Sub-Bass System.
Approved by Lucasfilm, Ltd. for THX® system installations.

· 4645C Single 18", 800 Watt THX®-Approved Subwoofer
===
5000 Series Screen Channel Systems

Phil

 

[Marc H]

Remember 'Senssurround' back in the 1970's? I'm showing my age now but they used to use 36" woofers to get the rumble going for the movie 'Earthquake'.

 

[Tom Brennan]

Marc---I think you're misinformed. The Sensurround bins were built by Cerwin-Vega and used 18" drivers in folded cornerhorns. I remember the article in Audio that described the system.

 

[Marc H]

Yeah I could be wrong, it's been a while but that's the magazine I thought I had read it in too way back when.

 

[Tom Brennan]

Marc---Well who knows, so much of the 70s went by in a, ah, blur.