What is the best placement for my Roku subwoofer?
Your Roku® subwoofer works together with a Roku Streambar® SE, Roku Streambar, Roku Streambar Pro, Roku Smart Soundbar, Roku wireless speakers, or Roku TV™ Wireless Soundbar to produce the full range of sound you hear from your favorite movies, TV shows, songs, and more. Your Roku subwoofer generates the low frequencies, or bass, while your other Roku audio device(s) generate the middle and high frequencies. These low frequencies are much less directional than middle and high frequencies, meaning it is difficult to detect where the bass is coming from. For this reason, you can place your Roku subwoofer just about anywhere in the room and still get the illusion that the bass is coming from all around you.
With that said, you do need to install your Roku subwoofer within 30 feet of a Roku host audio device such as your Roku Streambar, Roku Streambar Pro, Roku Smart Soundbar, or Roku TV (when Roku wireless speakers or Roku TV Wireless Soundbar is connected). There are some additional factors discussed in this article that can affect the quality of the sound and ultimately help you determine where best to place your subwoofer.
What should I look for in a good location?
Even though it is difficult to detect where low frequencies originate, the physical location and other nearby objects can affect the performance of your Roku Wireless Subwoofer. Use the guidelines below to help identify potential locations.
- Find a power outlet: Your Roku subwoofer needs to be plugged into a working power outlet, or a power extension cable may be necessary.
- Keep it in the same room: Bass can travel through walls, but not at the same volume or quality. For the best performance, keep your subwoofer in the same room as your TV. Putting it in another room can also have negative effects on wireless connectivity.
- Try an out-of-the-way location: You may want to hide your wireless subwoofer behind a couch or large houseplant in the corner.
- Consider the front of the room: Putting your subwoofer in front of the room, to the right or left of the TV may provide the best blending with the higher frequencies generated by your other Roku audio device(s).
- Avoid placement inside a cabinet: A subwoofer enclosure is essentially a cabinet. Putting it inside another cabinet, especially one with a closed door, can have a negative effect on the bass performance.
- Check for proper ventilation: Avoid placing your subwoofer somewhere it may overheat like on top of a heater vent or near a fireplace.
After you identify two or three potential locations, plug the power cable into the wall outlet in the first location and set up your Roku subwoofer.
How do I evaluate each location?
Once your subwoofer is set up in the first potential location, play a song or movie with a good amount of bass, and return to your couch to listen intently. Using the suggestions below, evaluate the quality of the sound in this position.
- Too much bass: Sound waves reflect off other surfaces especially a flat surface like a wall. If you hear too much bass, try moving your subwoofer 6 to 12 inches away from the wall or other surface.
- Not enough bass: If you are a bass-lover, try placing your subwoofer in a corner or closer to a wall. This typically produces louder bass.
Repeat the test with your subwoofer placed in each of the other potential locations, making sure to evaluate the sound using the same song or movie each time. Remember to experiment with each location, moving your subwoofer a couple feet one way or the other at each potential location. In the end, place your subwoofer where the bass sounds the best to you.
Last updated at 3/3/2026 1:40:50 AM
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