Newbie Q: How do small woofer speakers reach 32Hz?

Bottom line: most don't!

O.K. It now seems pretty clear that the frequency response specification is used by some as more of a marketing tool than a true measurement of speaker performance. Since there is no governing body or uniform standards for rating speakers, manufacturers self select methods. With Snell, apparently they took a scientic approach, using an anechoic chamber (their specs are actually printed as 48 Hz - 20 kHz ± 2 dB anechoic) while Totem, went with agressive marketing, using the unscientic approach (but perhaps more helpful in the real world) of considering placement. Additionally, Snell selected ± 2 dB, while Totem selected ± 3 dB, which also makes a difference. Considering a corner placement can add +12 dB to the low end and the speaker might still be -3 dB in the low end, that would explain how such slim speakers with small woofers put up such heroic numbers.

I suppose, manufactures that use Snell type measurements should add a second specification that shows what their speakers can do with perfect placement in the right room. At least they'd seem competitive as potential buyers glance down the specifications tables.

Totem is smart. Being able to list a bottom frequecy in the low 30's or better, very likely gets them many more auditions, and eventually, more sales.

You would simply have to know a lot about speaker measurements or specific manufacturers to either realize that Snell's sound better than they appear on paper or Totem's may not deliver the goods exactly as promised.

To throw out specifications all together is just not viable, people simply do not have the time to audition dozens of speakers. Furthermore, most speakers (several hundred dollars and up) sound really good. So, if a manufacturer can get you interested and into a store for a listen, they're probably half way home!

Good question. The Merlin VSM have a 6 1/2" woofer and are +/- 2db 33hz to 22khz - how do they do it? With the BAM bass augemntation module, essentially a bass equalizer that provide totally smooth bass response down to the low 30s with no electornic signature. Absent that, I don't how a small driver can possibly provide true 30hz bass output that is balanced in loudness with the mids and highs.

It is not only that manufacturers cannot get bass extension from small woofers but often they don't want to (tuning bass for lowest distortion and not for extension). Paradigm Studio/60 v3 has worse bass extension than previous Studio/60 v2 but sounds better (according to reviews). My Hyperions HPS-938 have pretty large box with two 8" woofers but only 35Hz extension.

For practical reasons I prefer better bass definition over extension since lowest bass string is 42Hz and below that are only pianos (keys seldom used), big drums (mercy for the neighbors) and church organs. Extension can be remedied with a Sub but loss of bass quality perhaps not.