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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
soundsrealaudio's avatar
soundsrealaudio
756 posts
 
wolf_garcia

The show is pretty easy in easy out. Frontier Airlines " cheap flights now on sale " to DIA then $35 shuttle to Marriott. There are other hotels close by that are cheap to stay at. 

I am going to be in the Bricasti Room 7013. Managed to get a pair of Wilson Benesch Evolutions to take to the show. Should sound great, I have a good history at the show. In another room, the Larkspur Wilson Beseech will have a pair of the Torus Infrasonic Generators. Or as Jonathan Valin said " 

"Strokes of genius are rare in any field,
          but I think Milnes’ Torus qualifies”

 - Jonathan Valin, The Absolute Sound, 2007

Anyway if you make it you can try to be kind to me, even if you have to go  against your nature.


willemj
1,036 posts
 
Hence the need for a low output impedance (which is a different way of saying the same). If the damping factor is too low, the frequency response becomes heavily load dependent, with potentially exaggerated bass or high frequency roll off (or other anomalies). Typically, this is not a problem with the better solid state amplifiers, but it is with tubes. Perhaps that is why some audiophiles like them.
EDIT: sorry this was a response to an earlier post about the need for a high damping factor.
willemj
1,036 posts
 
Duke,
Thanks for coming back to me. That sounds like a nice flat response, but it is of course room specific, and not always achievable. You are right that since multiple subs give a flatter response over a far larger area, the potential for equalization is even greater. So I guess the right answer is to get the basics right by using more than one sub, and not shy away from some smart equalization either, particularly now that units like the Antimode 8033 are so easy to set up, and so cheap.
gregorybraun's avatar
gregorybraun
24 posts
 

After reading Vade Forrester's equipment review of the Syzygy 870 Subwoofer with Equalization in this September's issue of TAS I ordered one from Amazon.

It has worked out great. EQ cannot be overstated. It makes all the difference. I've tried other subs over the years, but could never get one that didn't sound like a jukebox.

The Syzygy approach is brilliant; and affordable. At only $999 you can't go wrong; and if you buy it from Amazon and don't like just return it, no questions asked, although I bet you'll keep it. It's that good.

   -gb-

gaal
64 posts
 
Room acoustic treatment is the real key for getting deep and clean bass. My system was drastically upgraded through the use of less than $500 of materials. A good reference is http://arqen.com/acoustics-101/room-setup-acoustic-treatment/ Again, it is very cost effective to build your own panels.
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