Does the size of a magnet on a subwoofer affects the sub in any way?

Question

SHOULD I BE LOOKING TO BUY A SUBWOOFER WITH A BIG MAGNET OR A LITTLE ONE??

well im planning on getting an 18" subwoofer but the magnet is not all that quite big...

well im planning on getting an 18" subwoofer but the magnet is not all that quite big...its a 1000w with 500 rms

Answer 1

For any speaker, the stronger the magnet, the better the speaker. Hi Fi speakers would specificy their magnet weights and materials because that was such an important factor. With strong magnet, the voice coil needs to generate less magnetic field for the same deflection of the speaker cone. The magnetic field of the voice coil depends on the current through it and the number of turns of wire. With a stronger magnet, the manufacturer is able to use fewer turns in the coil, making shorter and lighter coil. The shorter coil is desireable, since at large excursions of the coil, more of it will remain in the linear portion of the permanent magnet's field, reducing distortion at high volumes. The larger magnet also makes the speaker more efficient, allowing smaller currents to produce large cone excursion. The manufacturer will decide a tradeoff between efficiency (sensitivity) and distortion, but a large permanent magnet makes it easier to get some improvement in both.

Answer 2

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Without getting too technical, the larger the magnet, the better the subwoofer's control (transient response, or the time it take the woofer to reproduce the signal, or start and stop quickness of cone movement) and accuracy that the woofer will have at delivering the frequencies it was designed for.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

What you want to look for in a subwoofer's performance is:

Sensitivity in dB measured with 1 watt input and from 1 meter (the higher the number the better, 90 dB or higher is a satisfactory sensitivity rating) and is more important to consider than total watts it can handle. Example, a subwoofer that has a sensitivity of 86 dB and can handle 300 watts (i.e. 110 dB) will NOT get as loud as a 96 dB subwoofer that can handle only 100 watts (i.e. 116 dB!);

Frequency response for a subwoofer should be able to deliver an F3 (3 dB down from the sensitivity rating) in an appropriate cabinet of at least 25 Hz or lower;

Look for a good Xmax as well measured in mm. Xmax is the maximum total excursion extention of the woofer's surround. At least 10 mm is a good minimum. Go for a rubber surround over a foam surround for durability and longevity.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I would recommend going with a 15" with a larger magnet in most cases over an 18" sub with a smaller magnet. Also, choose a sub with a cast frame (i.e. basket) over a less hardy and sturdy conventional metal basket.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Answer 3

Size isn't everything. Its possible to have too much magnet, making the woofer 'over damped' and produce less bass. Its also as much to do with the cabinet you're putting the speaker in: sometimes a smaller speaker can produce more bass than a bigger one, depending on how the springiness and stiffness of the cone interact with the volume of air, whether the volume of air is sealed in the box or vented using a reflex port...and so on, and on...and on...big magnets don't always mean more power either (sometimes the opposite). Lots of cone excursion also means more distortion, a wider cone surround which also starts to radiate unwanted sound...zzzzzzzzz

Answer 4

magnets don't product watts, or anything like that... Typically a larger magnet allows the sub to handle more power. The flip side is that it may require more power to play at a reasonable level ( be les efficient).. However, typically better speakers have beefier magnet/motor structures.

Answer 5

The magnet in basic terms components the magnetic field for the voicecoil to conflict by. audio gadget with a intense wattage score choose extra desirable magnets to attend to the capacity. however the magnet doesnt promptly impact the sound high quality, except it became into broken or being over powered.

Answer 6

You can buy any size sub you like But do you have the power to push that 1000 watt sub , i been to this stuff since 11 .. i tough bigger was better i use to run home after school to crank my kiss records b4 my parents got home and i use open up my fathers console stereo and take out the 12 in speakers and add them to my cheap Panasonic stereo with the 8 track . and sit there and wonder why it sounded like crap ... then i learned about watts . so big is not better .. go out and buy a true 1000 watt tube
amp . i never heard of one .. but look at the price for a real 100 watt tube amp for the home . thousands of dollars .. most of us working people cant afford ... i know i cant ..

Answer 7

Depends on the material the magnet is made of. You should concentrate on Watts instead.

Answer 8

Larger magnets make the sub more attractive.

Answer 9

bigger magnet produces more power, more power equals more sound. you get a teeny tiny magnet then most likely you'll blow it out.