The subwoofer has added a third, very assertive dimension to home-theater and home-music systems by allowing reproduction (acoustical physicists like to call it "propagation") of low frequencies formerly reserved for THX-certified cinemas. Also known as the LFE (low-frequency-effects) channel, it is the "point-one" in 5.1, 6.1, and 7.1 surround speaker systems. It has extended the palette that sound designers working on films can use to create sonic landscapes in which emotions and action can be communicated in a subliminal but percussively effective manner. When they're played loudly enough, low frequencies can literally rattle you out of your seat.
展开▼
