This idea is usually the result of a misunderstanding about the propagation of low frequencies, taken to mean that at low frequencies that bass is "non-directional."
In reality what happens is at low frequencies sound disperses in more or less an omnidirectional manner.
Contrast this with high frequencies, where the sound is propagated more or less like a flashlight - direct.
It is entirely possible to "load" a room such that it is very difficult to tell where the source of the low frequencies is, assuming that there are no higher harmonics being produced by the LF source or other speakers. If so, it is likely that the localization will "try" to correspond to the localization provided by the higher frequency sound source(s).
Such a room, and such loading is generally NOT an idea that is good. There may be exceptions, but I can't think of them.
The reason being, that in this case you've got some huge standing waves in the room.
The lie to the propostion that bass is "non-directional" can be had by merely moving your single sub *behind* your listening position, whereupon you are likely to wonder why the low bass is coming from behind you. :- )
Again, what is likely meant by this is that low bass radiates in more or less an omnidirectional manner.
Stereo Subs are a really good idea. As is not loading a room boundary to get your bass!
Regards,
_-_-bear
In reality what happens is at low frequencies sound disperses in more or less an omnidirectional manner.
Contrast this with high frequencies, where the sound is propagated more or less like a flashlight - direct.
It is entirely possible to "load" a room such that it is very difficult to tell where the source of the low frequencies is, assuming that there are no higher harmonics being produced by the LF source or other speakers. If so, it is likely that the localization will "try" to correspond to the localization provided by the higher frequency sound source(s).
Such a room, and such loading is generally NOT an idea that is good. There may be exceptions, but I can't think of them.
The reason being, that in this case you've got some huge standing waves in the room.
The lie to the propostion that bass is "non-directional" can be had by merely moving your single sub *behind* your listening position, whereupon you are likely to wonder why the low bass is coming from behind you. :- )
Again, what is likely meant by this is that low bass radiates in more or less an omnidirectional manner.
Stereo Subs are a really good idea. As is not loading a room boundary to get your bass!
Regards,
_-_-bear