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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
skanda
60 posts
 
This has been an incredibly informative thread. I have a small listening area and use monitors and while I don't have _too_ many bass issues, i do have a node somewhere around 50-60hz. For some practical reasons, I would like a floor stander in my room. Have any of you used sealed speakers - something like magico comes to mind. I am not asking for speaker recs/reviews and don't want to derail this thread...My question is simply, do sealed speakers integrate better into these rooms? Wish I could do an in-home demo to test but that's not an option currently.
harrylavo's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
harrylavo
346 posts
 
I agree with audiokinesis.  I have used Thiel 3.5's for years, which with their equalizer are flat down to 16-20hz.  The ultimate bass system: 4 or 5 of these in an ITU multichannel configuration.  Virtually all room nodes are eliminated.  Two of them in stereo, because Jim Thiel designed them for optimum sound in a very room-friendly design, can generally be positioned in a room to minimize their room-node response and at the same time, excellent stereo soundstaging..

Equally important, study the basics of sound physics so you know what you are doing/looking for, and if in a general living area, use furniture, curtains, bookshelves, etc to serve as sound modifiers and even psuedo-bass traps.  Good smooth bass can be done, but not in ignorance.  It requires knowledge and experimentation and a willingness to find the proper speaker locations and then design the remainder of the room layout around that.
gkr7007's avatar
gkr7007
153 posts
 
I have always found that a very important part of good bass response is the damping factor of the amp, the ability of the amp to control the excursion of the bass driver.  I've had some pretty expensive equipment over time where the mids and highs were fantastic but the bottom end was lacking.  In most all cases the damping factor was low.  I also learned that I more enjoy a smaller sub in a sealed box (as opposed to ported), especially since I gravitate toward planars and other very fast response speakers.
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wspohn's avatar
wspohn
606 posts
 

i actually know what 16 HZ sounds and feels like....on Sundays

My video system goes down to 16 Hz - but really you don't hear as much as feel at that frequency!

My main audio system is 3 dB down at 20 Hz - adequate for just about any music.  You can be happy with speakers that have not much below 30 Hz, but once you know what is there, it is hard not to miss it.
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