Driver Configuration
The physical arrangement and firing directions of a subwoofer’s bass drivers and any identified passive radiators.
Driver configuration describes where a subwoofer’s sound-producing elements face and how multiple drivers work together. Front-, side-, rear- and down-firing identify orientation. Opposed drivers can counter cabinet reaction forces, while compound or isobaric arrangements describe how drivers share an acoustic load.
Driver Configuration — Subwoofer
For a subwoofer, the arrangement helps you understand which surfaces need clearance and how the cabinet is constructed. A down-firing driver faces the floor; side-firing drivers face sideways. A force-cancelling design uses appropriately arranged driven units to reduce their opposing mechanical reactions.
Compare placement instructions and measured output rather than assuming one direction produces better bass. The description can include a passive radiator’s orientation, which differs from a powered driver, while a port opening is another feature. Opposed mounting, push-pull operation and isobaric loading are not interchangeable descriptions of every two-driver design.