Expert: Cleggsan - 8/18/2010

Question
I just bought some new computer speakers, Logitech Z313 Speaker System, and I love them, my first system with a subwoofer, although I am confused on where to place the subwoofer. Currently it is to the right of my  computer screen, behind my right speaker, but I see many people but them below their computer desk, although they usually have hard wood floors, which I do not in this room. So where do you think I should put it? I have more room too my left on the desk because its a sectional desk.

Answer
That is the nice thing about subwoofers.  At low frequencies under 300 Hz sound is non-directional.  Therefore, theoretically any way, you can put the woofer anywhere without worrying of its location.  The caveat is that if you put is against the wall or in a corner it will give a 3db or 6db boost due to the boundary demand to the woofer propagation.  But from sound quality you can put it just about anywhere.

Keep it away from the PC and monitor as the magnet in the woofer driver is, sometimes, powerful enough to cause magnetic interference with your computer system.

Good Luck.