Samsung Soundbars truly rock when they're in action, especially with an attached subwoofer that adds that special something. From the buzzing sound of a bee to the boom of a massive explosion, this setup allows you to feel every sound deep in your bones. But how do you add a subwoofer to your Samsung Soundbar?
Your subwoofer and soundbar should connect automatically when powered on. If not, enable the ID SET on both devices. Long press the ID SET button on the subwoofer, then holds the mute button on the soundbar's remote to do the same. Look for stable light on the subwoofer to confirm the connection.
Although the setup process is mostly the same for various Samsung models, there might be a few differences. Read the article to fully understand how to connect these devices and create an immersive sound experience in your home. We'll also cover the best places to put your subwoofer for maximum impact.
What Is a Subwoofer?
Before we get into how to set up a subwoofer, why do we need one in the first place?
Typically, surround sound systems, and stereos are limited to reproducing high-frequency sounds. This not only makes the sound feel flatter but also restricts us from enjoying the effects of the bass.
A subwoofer, on the other hand, focuses on the lower frequencies. What we usually call the bass or the sub-bass. Amplifying through the subwoofers, these signals complete the sound quality and offer a fuller and unmatched audio quality.
That said, regular speakers do create bass to some extent. But with a subwoofer, the feeling is dramatically enhanced.
Because they cater to a frequency range between 20 to 200 hertz, subwoofers bring bass instruments to life. Listen to the bass guitars or pipe organs with and without a subwoofer to understand the difference.
Furthermore, subwoofers can strengthen the deeper sounds, like explosions, to make the sound feel more realistic. Next time you feel the vibration inside a theater after a huge sound, know that it’s a subwoofer that’s doing that.
How Does a Subwoofer Work?
Don’t be confused if you haven't experienced a subwoofer in action at home. While theaters have subwoofers, you might not be able to feel their presence with too many sound effects happening all around.
For starters, you can consider a subwoofer a very strong addition to the music system. The device can even create ripples through a glass of water.
Subwoofers make use of speaker drives or ‘woofers,' which are placed within a particular diameter range. Depending on the base size of the subwoofer and the target frequency, the woofer’s size will differ.
By reducing or enhancing the frequencies’ output, the subwoofers achieve varying sensations.
Can You Add a Subwoofer to a Soundbar?
You can add a subwoofer to a soundbar, but finding one that is compatible can be tough.
The best bet is to buy a soundbar that comes with a subwoofer from the start, like the Samsung HW-A650 3.1CH (on Amazon). This way, you won’t experience any trouble configuring the two. However, if you already have a soundbar, try finding subwoofers that can natively connect with your soundbar's model.
Usually, getting a subwoofer of the same make as your soundbar will do the job. Still, you cannot guarantee that they will connect seamlessly, especially if your soundbar is much older than the subwoofer.
So, before you purchase a subwoofer, make sure it's compatible with your soundbar. Or you could spend some more and get a soundbar packaged with a subwoofer. For a Samsung Soundbar, consider the Samsung SWA-W500 Wireless Subwoofer (on Amazon).
What Are the Benefits of Adding a Subwoofer to a Soundbar?
Soundbars have become a common part of the home theater setup, given their space-saving design. Unlike hefty speaker systems, soundbars are compact and do all the work with just a single piece of hardware.
While soundbars do the job quite well, it is always exciting to find new ways to improve the existing sound system. Subwoofers can add the extra edge that soundbars may need.
The majority of soundbars do not flaunt a very powerful bass. Instead, they create front-loaded sound. Therefore, for a more immersive experience, you can always count on the subwoofers sitting next to your soundbar.
Simply put, subwoofers add bass and sub-bass to the sound, catching lower frequencies that soundbars are not designed to produce. Hence, rather than listening to a flat sound, you can bring more depth to your audio system.
All you need is a subwoofer to double the pleasure of streaming content from home.
How to Connect Your Subwoofer to Your Samsung Soundbar
Luckily, there is not much you need to do to connect your subwoofer to the Samsung Soundbar.
Just connect the soundbar and the subwoofer to the power outlet and turn both on. Following this step, the subwoofer and the soundbar will connect automatically to each other.
Check the subwoofer’s blue LED LINK indicator. It will be blinking while trying to connect. After a successful connection, the light will go stable.
If it doesn't stabilize, you can manually intervene to configure the devices using the steps below.
Power the Devices
Make sure that both the subwoofer and the soundbar are connected to a power source. Check the power cables that go behind the devices to ensure they aren’t loosely plugged. The same goes with the plugs that go in the power outlet. Every connection must be properly made.
Enable ID SET Mode
Grab a pointed object such as a needle for pressing the ID SET button and hold it for a few seconds. Once the STANDBY goes off and Blue LED Link starts blinking quickly, stop holding the button.
Do not power on the soundbar just yet. First, long-press the soundbar remote’s ‘Mute’ button and keep holding until the ID SET appears on the device’s display. If you cannot perform ID SET using the Mute button, try the up button instead.
You may end up unsuccessful with these two attempts. In such a case, refer to the device’s manual.
Note: If your soundbar has an ID SET button on the device itself, you are in luck. There's no need to get into the confusing settings of the remote.
Connect the Devices
Finally, turn on your soundbar while making sure that the Blue LED is still blinking on the subwoofer.
In just a matter of seconds, the main unit will connect with the subwoofer. You can confirm this with a stable Blue LED light.
If the light keeps blinking, repeat the manual configuration process. In case of a few failed tries, check the issue with the device’s manufacturer.
If you keep experiencing any issues during this process, make sure to skim through our guide on troubleshooting common soundbar issues.
Where Is the Best Place to Put a Soundbar Subwoofer?
You should always try to find the best location for your subwoofer. After all, you want to get the most from your purchase, and subwoofer placement plays a crucial role in achieving the best sound setup at home.
Depending on your room’s size, seating arrangement, subwoofer capabilities, and so on, you may want to explore different placement options (our guide) Here are some things to consider when it comes to placement:
Room Size
If the room is large, your subwoofer will have more space to cover. What’s best is to check the setup by placing your subwoofers in different spots. Choose the one that suits you best.
Otherwise, you can also decide to get another subwoofer to cover the entire room, creating a more enveloping experience. Placing the subwoofers on two sides of the room will give your sound greater reach.
For smaller rooms, a single subwoofer should be enough to create an enthralling sound experience. You can keep the subwoofers close to the soundbar to add bass to the higher frequencies, side by side.
Sitting Arrangement
There are times when we choose to arrange the seats in rows. Placing the subwoofer in the front may not be the best option in this case.
While the front seats will get the best bass effects, the other rows won’t. Hence, placement to the sides of the room feels more justified.
Woofer Size and Capability
Got a compact subwoofer? Try different locations to figure out which spot fits your needs. Moving a larger woofer around a small room won’t make much sense since it would cover the entire space regardless of where you place it.
Connection Type
If the subwoofer is wired to the soundbar, you can't do much to change its position. Hence, you must find that sweet spot within the range of the cable you've got.
With a wireless connection, you get more flexibility to try different placements around the room.
