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Audiophile Bass?

I was reading an article about spikes vs. rubber feet and the author mentioned what he called "audiophile bass". His assertion was that the bass that audiophiles pursue is not real life bass. One comment from the article (paraphrasing) states that when you listen to bass at a live performance it will not be the tight, clean bass that you will hear from most audiophile's systems when they are playing music. The discussion in the article was that in order to get audiophile bass you would need spikes to reduce the transfer into the floor (because of the very small contact points). The rubber feet will cause the bass to be less clean and tight. I tried this on my system and he was right, with the rubber feet the bass was definitely boomier. But I do prefer the spikes. I like to here the notes on a bass guitar, it's not enough that it is just bass. Have any of you had similar experiences?
baclagg
4krowme's avatar
4krowme
542 posts
 
I agree about not wanting to replicate bass, that at a concert is massively distorted. In fact, I walked out of an Elton John concert because the loudness was no longer music. Crap! I really wanted to see and hear his music live.. not midrange notes actually bouncing off the walls, and slapping you, not to mention every single other sound/noise.
 OTOH, I heard YES perform in Tucson, and you bet, I would strive to replicate what I heard that night. They really had it together acoustically, and the musical talent was over the top.
wolf_garcia
6,796 posts
 
I've done small-ish venue (200 to 500 captive suckers!) sound design/production/mixing for decades and the key to bass is balance...1000 watt 18" subs can be mixed in there with great results exactly like what I do in my home system if you simply apply the same esthetic...make sure they aren't "noticed" by being very careful with levels...that makes the audience feel better than they actually should as hey, they don't deserve me...
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Exactly wolf, the best subs are invisible until a low C organ note comes along. Not loud but your vision blurs. 
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
My 5 are invisible at all times. They are so not there I sometimes have to touch to make sure they're working. It is as if there are no speakers. Only music.
fjblair
59 posts
 
In my limited experience I’ve yet to hear a HT setup that produced realistic, musical bass. It’s too much. Sounds great with movies though.
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