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Why is good, deep bass so difficult? - Myths and their Busters

This is a theme that goes round and round and round on Audiogon. While looking for good sources, I found a consultancy (Acoustic Frontiers) offering a book and links:

http://www.acousticfrontiers.com/guide-to-bass-optimization/?utm_source=CTA

Interestingly: AF is in Fairfax, CA, home to Fritz Speakers. I really have to go visit Fairfax!

And a link to two great articles over at sound and vision:

https://www.soundandvision.com/content/schroeder-frequency-show-and-tell-part-1
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/schroeder-frequency-show-and-tell-part-2

Every audiophile who is dissatisfied with the bass in their room should read these free resources.

Let me state unequivocally, deep bass is difficult for the average consumer. Most audiophiles are better off with bass limited speakers, or satellite/subwoofer systems. The former limits the danger you can get into. The latter has the most chance of success IF PROPERLY IMPLEMENTED.

The idea that large drivers/subs are slow is a complete and utter myth. Same for bass reflex. The issue is not the speed of the drivers. The issue is usually that the deeper a speaker goes the more it excites room modes, which the audiophile is then loathe to address.

Anyway, please read away. I look forward to reading comments.
erik_squires
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,216 posts
 
I’ve found out by far what public enemy #1 is in most cases when it comes to hi fi bass performance in most home systems and have cited it in various past posts.

Guesses?
klh007
621 posts
 
Room acoustics? Wrong/no EQ? 
whart's avatar
whart
3,039 posts
 
@mapman I don’t know if it is #1 on your list, but in my experience playing LPs, some records simply don’t have much deep bass. Whether it is a result of the original recording, the mix, or the mastering, it isn’t there.
There are many times listening to a record where I wish it had been mixed differently.
One example: I have both first and second UK pressings of In the Court (KC) and though highly regarded in prog circles as an UR album, it is not a very good recording.
Though I’ve long clung to my records and analog recordings (to the extent you are buying old records), the SW remix of the record is a vast improvement in my estimation. Yes it is digital but you can hear Greg Lake’s voice much more clearly, there is far less distortion on certain tracks and everything seems much easier to take in. Much as I love the old Island pink labels, Wilson’s work was, to me, a vast improvement on an important record.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,216 posts
 
klh yes room acoustics but more specifically, speaker interactions with floors. Especially suspended plywood floors but most any with any give. Floors often ring like a bell at bass frequencies and speakers transmit a lot of energy to them directly via physical contact if not isolated. If flooring is not solid concrete foundation, isolate your speakers from them first and go from there if still needed.

Whart yes all recordings are different but room acoustics in general will greatly affect most still even when the "proper" bass is not there.   I say proper with reservations because its up to the recording producers to determine what goes into each recording.   So you want to reproduce what is or is not there accurately.   Trying to make recordings sound like something they are not is public enemy #1 in regards to staying on the hifi merry go round forever.
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