Frequency Response


Would you use a sub if your speakers only went to 45Hz? Should you always use a sub? 
 

polkalover

I might.  I been there and done it.  It depends.  But only 40+ hz is a good reason to consider it.

Polkalover, the loudspeaker you are considering doesn't do really loud, let alone ear bleeding.  Keep that in mind.

The bass response is spec'd at 45Hz for a -3dB rolloff as measured anechoic.  With room boost that should give you very usable bass down to around 35Hz.  For nearly all music types there is very little music below that frequency.  There's sound, but not a lot of music.  Pipe organs and some electronica excepted.  As an example, the lowest note on a 4 string bass is 41Hz and for 5 string basses its 31Hz.  But modern recording techniques typical roll off these frequencies in order to not muddy up the recording.  So at moderate to somewhat loud volumes you really don't need a subwoofer with that loudspeaker in your room.  But that doesn't mean you won't like it better with a subwoofer.

My last speakers were Salk Songtowers. In this room bass was good...really good. For me, no need for subs. They were fine...let’s just say...I worried about other things than if subs were needed.

 

But my last house. Holy smokes! The mid bass was a shade less fullsome...but low bass was much deeper. On some tracks it just took my breath away. I could not wrap my mind around how deep 38hz felt.

 

But 38hz...measured in what way? I guess every manufacturer ’presents’ their numbers differently. Just like every room presents sound differently.