Ever been to a wedding where the music sounds great in some spots but terrible in others? Or where Grandma's table is getting blasted with bass while the dance floor feels weak? Let's fix that!
As the owner of Extreme Entertainment, one of Ottawa's top wedding DJ services, I've seen this problem at hundreds of venues. Today, I'm excited to share professional subwoofer placement techniques shared by Gilles from Sound Advice DJ, who brings over 30 years of sound engineering expertise to this guide. These proven methods have transformed how we handle sound setup at our events.
The Common Mistake Many DJs Make
Many DJs split their subwoofers (the speakers that make the bass sound) on either side of their booth because it looks nice. While this might look pretty, it creates big problems with the sound.
Look at this sound pressure level map showing what happens when subwoofers are split apart. See those red "hot spots"? That's where the bass is too loud. And guess what? That's where grandma ends up sitting.
Notice the blue areas in the middle? Those are "dead spots" where you can barely hear the bass. And those are usually right on the dance floor.
This setup creates:
- Spots where the bass is way too loud (where people are sitting)
- Areas where you can barely hear any bass (on the dance floor)
- Uneven sound across the dance floor
- Poor sound experience for your guests
The Simple Solution
The fix is actually really easy! Just put the subwoofers right next to each other.
Check out this second sound pressure level map. When the subwoofers are placed side by side, the sound spreads out evenly. No more super loud spots or quiet zones. Just smooth, clean bass across the whole dance floor.
Three Easy Rules for Perfect Bass
- Keep Them Together: Place your subwoofers side by side with no space between them.
- Ground Level: Put them on the floor, not on the stage. Bass works better from the ground!
- Smart Placement: Put them near the dance floor (usually by the DJ booth) but away from guest tables.
Extra Pro Tip
For really fancy setups, some DJs use two cardioid subwoofers. This special setup helps to contain the bass in specific areas such as down toward the dance floor instead of behind the DJ booth and the sides where the guests are sitting. The two cardioid sub setup can be especially useful in multi-room venues where you don’t want the music to bleed into the room right behind the dance floor.
Common Questions About Wedding Subwoofer Setup
How far should subwoofers be from the dance floor?
Your subwoofers should be placed right next to the dance floor, ideally within 3-5 feet. This keeps the bass strong where people are dancing, but not overwhelming. Think of it like a campfire - you want to be close enough to feel the warmth, but not so close that it's uncomfortable.
Should wedding DJ subwoofers be on stage?
No, subwoofers should never be on stage. Always place them on the ground. When subwoofers are on the floor, they use the ground to help spread the bass evenly. It's like throwing a rock in a pond - the waves spread out better on the water's surface than if you dropped it from above.
Why are there dead spots in my wedding sound system?
Dead spots happen when subwoofers are placed too far apart. When subs are split up, the sound waves interfere with each other, creating spots where they cancel each other out and other spots where they are even louder.
How to prevent uneven bass at wedding reception?
The key to even bass is keeping your subwoofers together, side by side. When subs are together, they work together to create a smoothly distributed sound..
Where should the DJ booth be placed at weddings?
Place your DJ booth at one end of the dance floor, with your subwoofers in front of it on the ground. This setup should be facing the longest part of the dance floor.
How to avoid too loud bass at wedding reception?
By placing subwoofers together and on the ground (and not spread apart), you naturally create a more even sound because it removes the hot spots and dead zones. Here are three extra tips:
- Keep subs away from guest tables
- Test sound levels during setup by walking the whole room
- Use Cardioid Subwoofers
About the Authors
This guide was created by two pros who know their stuff:
- Gilles: Owner of Sound Advice DJ with his wife Francine who specialize in weddings and he has been working as a sound engineer for over 30 years.
- Damian: Runs Extreme Entertainment DJ Services, a top rated DJ company in Ottawa that has over 500 events under their belt.
Quick Summary
By keeping your subwoofers together instead of splitting them apart, you'll get:
- Even bass across the whole dance floor
- No more too-loud or too-quiet spots
- Happy guests who can enjoy the music properly
- Grandma won't get her ears blown out!
- A wedding is a social event not a club - we want to keep the older guests as long as possible to enjoy the evening
Want to Learn More?
We've helped hundreds of DJs get their sound perfect. Have a specific setup question? Leave a comment below, and we'll help you get it sorted!
Need professional DJ services for your wedding or event? Contact us and let's make your event sound amazing!
