Why the obsession with the lowest octave

Just saw this interesting thread. Mechan, you are basically correct, as are Elizabeth and Shadorne (who I must agree with in particular - what way too many audiophiles call "deep bass" is actually distortion). The vast majority of music happens within what audiophiles refer to as the "midrange." Almost none of it, especially if we are talking acoustic instruments, happens below 40Hz. That said, Mapman and Tvad are also correct about the physical impact of an extremely low bass tone, for instance the organ at the opening of Strauss Also Sprach Zarathustra. In a great concert hall, this will have a very physical impact - even up in the nosebleed seats, in a hall with really good bass response. However, this experience cannot be replicated in a home system, no matter how good it is, or how low the bass goes - unless you happen to live in the concert hall. You have to buy a ticket to experience that kind of truly deep bass.

Great thread! I have heard deep bass live but not well done with home systems. The bass I have heard in home systems has been somewhat boomy and difficult to integrate. Also, the price for great home bass has always seemed prohibitive and difficult to crowd into a shared living room(WAF)and difficult to tune in.
That said, what drew me to audio was crystal clear mids and highs... and the stand up bass of Christian McBride and others and the kettle drum of Hotel California and a great woody cello of Bach's solo sonatas.
I have found that for me a 40-45 hz speaker like the Triangle Celius with a tubed amp can do great highs and mids and, for me, satisfying lows. I do turn up the volume if I want to hear the kettle drum, however. The novelty of gut thumping bass has worn off for me as I have gotten older (62). The pain of turning on and off a sub has become less interesting as well. (Thanks, Elizabeth). I may have become more of a romantic and will need to turn in my guy credentials but have come to love the mid and high registers of solo piano and violin.
I am satisfied for now. That could change but it seems now like too much trouble to try to reproduce the low end... and I have more money to buy good music and attend symphonies and live performances. I suppose it becomes more about contentment.
NRCHY once said here in 04/02/2005 "Perfect sound is not attainable. Many have written long posts on whether live music is a good objective standard. In my opinion it is not. The only time a system will sound great is when the owner/listener has determined to be content. The concept of contentment is a little esoteric or nebulous to many people. Contentment is a choice and not the result of a great system. People may choose an ideal they can never obtain while ignoring contentment which everyone can possess. The same concept applies to many facets of life... choosing an ideal not obtainable while ignoring contentment." ( Expensive cars, deep bass, relationships, physical attributes, and all the other things that have been listed.).
John

I disagree with Larryi, The trade off is what you hear without deep bass not what you hear with deep bass. Sure, you might hear some interesting detail in the mids and highs when the system is lacking deep bass, but is it right?

HiFi means reproducing sound as near to the original sound as possible. It does not mean reproducing sound without bass.

I'm sure sound without bass would not be very enjoyable, not sure that was Larryi's recommendation - certainly a speaker that produces clean bass down to 35- 40hz (-2db) is sufficient to reproduce "sound with bass", in fact there are many world-class speakers (many British)that do just that and are rightly considered "HiFi" and ideal for most domestic-sized rooms.

Pressurization in lowest octave is what your trying to achieve. Once experienced in your system its hard to enjoy one that doesn't pressure lock. Most all do not and most subwoofers will not pressurize your listening space. One needs massive bass systems multiple subs or the best way massive bass horns. But this pressure is what brings excitement gestalt to your system can stand the hairs up on your neck. think about it like this is a stampede produces lots of infra sound as do earthquakes and trains would these sound or feel as impressive if limited to 40hz?