Does anyone use a RUMBLE filter?

to continue actusreus thought, it's always a battle between what you can hear and what you think you can hear.

11-19-13: Rauliruegas
Dear Actusreus: I have to think that you posted as a joke.

No, I'm serious. I'd like to hear your explanation. If your speakers are fluttering trying to reproduce subsonic frequencies that go below the speakers' frequency range and cannot be heard to begin with, I'd like to hear a scientific explanation how you're degrading the signal by removing these frequencies from the signal.

Filters are bad because they introduce phase problems, frequency response anomalies above their bandpass, added noise to the signal, etc. Woofer pumping is bad because it reduces the dynamic range, introduces distortion, reduces transparency, etc. Which problem is worst depends upon the specific system, music preferences, room modes and listener likes/dislikes.

If the pumping is caused by cartridge/tonearm or turntable suspension/placement issues, then they should be addressed first before resorting to a filter. If the pumping is a result of problems inherent in the recording, then a filter is an optimal solution. As with all things audiophile, some filters are better than others.

BTW, one of the first things taught to audio engineers is bandwidth filtering. When recording an instrument you want to get rid sound below and above the frequency range of the instrument. It's considered a sign of a well engineered recording.

Onhwy61, I was with you 100% until this:

BTW, one of the first things taught to audio engineers is bandwidth filtering. When recording an instrument you want to get rid sound below and above the frequency range of the instrument. It's considered a sign of a well engineered recording.

Hmmm... did Kenneth Wilkinson use bandwidth filters on his 3-mike recordings of full orchestras for Decca? I doubt it. Are you suggesting his recordings weren't well engineered?
;-)

I've no doubt your statement is true for engineers being trained today. It's one more example of acoustics knowledge and skills being replaced by 47 mikes in 47 booths, a mixing board and a pile of resistors. The result is lifeless, over-processed crap. But at least it's crap with no out-of-bandwidth noise. ;-)

Rumble filters, if working properly, will delete the fight scene from West Side Story...a weird side effect.