In Ground Subwoofer – Guide To Best Outdoor Sub
Last updated on January 7th, 2023 at 10:14 am
In Ground Subwoofer – What Is It?
An in ground subwoofer is designed to be used outdoors and buried in the ground. There are several reason why this may be the best outdoor sub for you.
A subwoofer’s job is to reproduce the low frequencies of the audio spectrum, ie, the bass. And this type of out door subwoofer is specifically made to be put in a hole in the ground. It is sometimes also called a burial subwoofer.
Since the cabinet section of the subwoofer is in the ground, when it is installed all you will see is the vent tube and cap above the ground. This is where the sound comes out.
Is In Ground The Best?
In ground subwoofer installation is one of the best ways to go. It can easily fit into the landscaping design of your outdoor space. With the vent tube being the only part that is above ground, they become almost invisible.
In addition to that, on most models the vent tube above ground can be painted to blend in even more. There are also caps that can be placed over the top of the vent tube to make it look like a rock or part of the landscaping.
Better Performance
Speaker cabinets, especially ones producing low frequencies, perform better when they are “coupled” to a solid surface. If they are placed on a box or table, that surface may resonate and color sound of the speaker cabinet. This can change the way the speaker is supposed to sound.
With the subwoofer buried in a hole in the ground, it will be very solidly installed. There won’t be any colorization of the sound when it’s surrounded by the earth.
The answer to “Is an in ground subwoofer the best?” depends upon your application and needs. They are definitely one of the best choices for a subwoofer to add to your outdoor speaker system. Let’s take a look at the Pros and Cons, or the Cools and UnCools as I call them, to help you make a better decision.
Find out more about different types of Outdoor Subwoofers
ALSO READ: Best Outdoor Subwoofer For Your Home, Pool, And Patio
Take a look at Coolest 5 Outdoor Subwoofers
Pros And Cons Of In Ground Subwoofer
There are some positives and negatives about installing an in-ground subwoofer. I’ve uncovered the good, and the not-so-good about this type of outdoor subwoofer. I’ve already mentioned a couple above. I will lay them all out so you can make your best choice.
Here’s some of the positives that I have found:
Good Looks
One of the best things about these subwoofers is that once you get them installed – they look great! Only the business end, the vent tube where the sound comes out, is above ground.
Customizable
You can change the part that is above the ground to whatever fits best with your space. Just paint it a different color. And there are options for caps that can be placed on top of the vent, giving you even more versatility.
Performance
Speakers that put out lower frequencies sound better when solidly installed. In-the-ground is about as solid as it gets. This improves the performance of these units. Since they are subwoofers they come with very high power ratings. Depending on the unit, they will take up to 500 watts of amplification.
Durability
These types of subs are literally meant to be put in the ground. The cabinets are designed and engineered to withstand that environment. And they are not exposed to the sun, rain, snow, and every other element that above ground speakers are subjected to.
Security
One thing that is always a concern with outdoor speakers is theft. In ground subwoofers are one of the best theft deterrents of any outdoor installations. Speakers that sit on the ground, or even partially buried ones, can be easily picked up and taken away. But these are mostly hidden. And if it is behind some bushes or shrubbery, a thief may not even know it is there.
These are the not-so-positive things to consider:
Installation
This is something to consider with these types of speakers. They are a little more difficult to install since you don’t just set them down and run a wire to them. You actually have to dig the hole and then bury the speaker. (If you are the Do-It-yourself type this may actually be a plus.) You will also have to dig a trench for the speaker wire. The wire can’t just be run along the ground. It would be a tripping hazard, and would get damaged by mowers and weed whackers.
Location Options
Finding the optimal placement for one of these units might be a little more difficult. If you just have a patio or a deck, the subwoofer will have to be placed a little farther away. It depends on where the closest place to dig the hole is. But these units are generally very powerful. Plus. low frequencies travel further and are omnidirectional. So it may not be an issue.
Repairs
If something would happen to go wrong, in ground subwoofers can be more difficult to repair. The speaker and/or the wires would actually have to be dug up.
Cost
These speakers can tend to cost more than other types. The higher level of engineering and more durable materials can add to the cost. Plus, if you are attempting to cover a larger area these burial subs will run you a little more money.
What Are In-Ground Subwoofers Made Of?
Since this type of speaker is outside and actually in-the-ground, how they are constructed is very important. We’ll take a look at the 4 most important components: Cone, Surround, Voice-Coil and Cabinet.
Cross-Section of a Speaker
Image from en.wikipedia.com
Since this type of speaker is outside and actually in-the-ground, how they are constructed is very important. We’ll take a look at the 4 most important components: Cone, Surround, Voice-Coil and Cabinet.
The Cone is the part of the speaker that moves back and forth and creates the sound waves. They are typically made from paper. For outdoor subwoofers the cone will be made of a composite plastic material, typically polypropylene.
The Surround goes around the outside, largest diameter of the cone, and connects it to the frame. It allows the speaker to move back and forth, this is called excursion, and make the low end sound waves. For outdoor speakers these will most often made from butyl rubber because it is very durable and doesn’t degrade under harsh conditions.
Voice Coils will still be made from wire, as in common indoor speakers. You will find the option of a single or dual voice coil in some subwoofers. A dual voice coil uses more wire and two separate windings. This gives the speaker a higher power rating.
The Cabinet, or the box/enclosure that the speaker is mounted in, is also a very important component. The cabinet will be directly exposed to extreme elements. It also has to securely house the components, protecting them from those extreme conditions. Typically, in ground subwoofers will have a cabinet constructed of ABS plastic. This material is very durable in outdoor conditions.
Cross-Section of a Speaker
Image from en.wikipedia.com
Do I Need A Subwoofer Outside?
The short answer is – Yes. If you take seriously how your music sounds and you spend a lot of time in your outdoor space, then an outdoor subwoofer will make a huge improvement to your listening experience.
You may be satisfied with your current outdoor speaker setup. Adding a subwoofer will dramatically improve the sound. A subwoofer does more than just extend the range of the sound and music that you hear.
As well as adding bottom end to your music, a subwoofer helps your existing speakers perform better. By sending only the frequencies that your speakers were designed to reproduce, they don’t have to work as hard and are more efficient.
Learn more about sending audio signal to different speakers.
Read my article, “What Is A Subwoofer… And What Does A Crossover Do?
Do I Need An Amp For My In Ground Subwoofer?
Yes. You will need an external amplifier to power your in-the-ground subwoofer. Virtually all outdoor subwoofer are passive. That means they do not have an amplifier built in.
It will be placed inside with the rest of your audio equipment. You can have a separate, dedicated amplifier for just the subwoofer. Or, your current receiver may have a subwoofer output. This is most likely an amplified signal, depending on your receiver, that can run directly to the subwoofer.
How Big Of A Subwoofer Should I Get?
The answer to this question is also going to depend on your situation. I think the best answer to this question is: As big as you can afford. Just because it’s big doesn’t mean it has to be loud. If you can afford to buy and install a bigger subwoofer that you think you “need”, then get it.
Even if your volume is not that high, you can set the volume accordingly. For those times when you have a few more people over and you need to turn it up, you’ll know that it can handle the extra power.
Typically, you will see sizes of 8, 10, and 12 inches. This is the size of the actual speaker, so the cabinet will be larger than this. Let’s look at some different use cases and see which size works best for each.
Just The Patio or Deck
If you will just be listening on your patio then an 8 inch sub will probably be enough. If you have family and friends over a lot or throw some parties, you may want to think about a 10 inch. If you have to turn the volume up you’ll know you have bass to keep it sounding good.
Patio and Yard
If you use your patio or deck and part of your yard, maybe for grilling and a picnic table, you’ll need a little larger sub. A 10 inch sub would be good for this situation. And placement will be important as well. In a larger area place it where it will give the best coverage.
A 12 inch would be better for this situation as it can handle more power and cover more area. Or you could even use a two 8 inch sub installation.
Patio and Pool – Larger Area
In this case you will want to go no smaller than a 12 inch sub. This is a lot of area to cover and again, placement will be important. This size sub can handle quite a bit of power, so if you are driving it right with the amplifier it should be able to handle it.
This is another situation where a two sub installation would work well. Either two 10’s, or even two 12’s. That way the bottom end won’t get thin when you’re all the way out in the deep end of the pool.
Conclusion
By now I think we can all agree that adding a subwoofer to our outdoor speaker system is a good idea. And of all the different types of outdoor subwoofers, in ground type is one of the very best.
They provide for excellent performance, appearance, and security. The in-ground installation lets it perform to its maximum potential. With very little sticking above ground they look great and blend in better than any other type. And with other available options, they can be customized to your particular situation and landscaping.
They are also the best from a security standpoint. The in the ground installation makes for an effective theft deterrent. And because they are so inconspicuous, they may even go unnoticed.
If this article has been helpful to you please share it on social media and with friends and family. I hope you enjoy your new listening experience with an in ground subwoofer. Please send any further questions or any comments to me directly at info (@) coolest5.com.
Thanks for reading.