frequency range for instrument vs speaker

Hmmm.. I looked into undertone a bit as well as phantom tone etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undertone_series

It seems that undertone is rather rare unlike overtone which is all over the place. If the article is correct, only wind and string instrument can create undertone.

Piano can create tone lower than fundamental of notes struck through sympathetic vibration of lower strings.

Ecruz, I agree with you. I had similar experience with sub and perceiveds something similar so there is definitely something going on in the sub 40Hz area.

Just as a note, it's a common recording engineer technique to use a high pass filter when tracking or mixing.

To Johnnyb53:

If you limit the audiophile world to only stand mounted speakers, then I would agree that there is not robust performance below 50Hz. But that's not what you originally said, nor is it an accurate description of what many audiophiles have. When I look at other members virtual system I see a majority of full range, floorstanding loudspeakers.

Everything you say about adding a subwoofer is true, but the benefit you describe is audiophile, not musically relevant.

I tend to agree that below 30Hz is not really musically relavant. Sure, it adds ambience in some cases. By the low 20s it is more felt than heard. It is an awesome experience to hear a large pipe organ in a large cathedral. I have never heard that reproduced electronically 100%. Perhaps it would take a room nearly as big as a cathedral to do it. The 16ft pedal on the pipe organ just makes a pressure and creates a certain mood and is always a relief when that low frequency sound ends. I think that is part of the mood too. I think some experiences like being in front of a large pipe organ need to be experienced first hand.

****If the article is correct, only wind and string instrument can create undertone. ****

Yes, and we all know how authoritative Wikepedia is. And no, not just those instruments can create undertones.

The Wikepedia article is (as usual) very incomplete. The production of undertones does not require special playing techniques. They can (and are) be produced by the acoustic interactions of two or more fundamentals. In the example that I described, no special techniques were
needed nor used. Undertones occur naturally as part of the harmonic texture of music. They add timbral complexity to music.

****I tend to agree that below 30Hz is not really musically relavant. ****

Really?

****Sure, it adds ambience in some cases. By the low 20s it is more felt than heard. It is an awesome experience to hear a large pipe organ in a large cathedral. I have never heard that reproduced electronically 100%.
Perhaps it would take a room nearly as big as a cathedral to do it. The 16ft pedal on the pipe organ just makes a pressure and creates a certain mood and is always a relief when that low frequency sound ends. I think that is part of the mood too. I think some experiences like being in front of a large pipe organ need to be experienced first hand.****

Sounds like musical relevance to me. Below 30hz reproduction may not be absolutely necessary, but it is clearly relevant and adds a great deal.

I think Frogman is correct, but it should be put into perspective. Suppose you were an audiophile with limited funds. Would you be better off pursuing bass response down to 20Hz, or compromise at 50Hz (with room reinforcement) and put more money into going for a better quality midrange and treble? Unless you're an absolute bass fanatic the answer is self-evident.