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frequency range for instrument vs speaker

http://www.independentrecording.net/irn/resources/freqchart/main_display.htm

After seeing this link in another thread, I wonder about this. Let say that you don't listen to any classical instrument/music, normal rock and pop with no heavy synthetizer, just drum, guitar, etc, it seems that there isn't really any need for speakers that go much below 40Hz, considering that the lowest instrument, the kick drum (I assume it is the same thing as bass drum?) only go down to 50Hz.
Certainly listening to this type of music via speaker that go down flat to 40Hz vs 20Hz, bottom end is certainly quite different but I am not sure what is it that I hear in the subbass area (according to the chart) that is not suppose to be there, at least according to the instrument's frequency? Does drum give out something lower than its fundamental?
suteetat

Showing 3 responses by onhwy61

onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,137 posts
 
You can't count on many speakers to make meaningful bass below 50 Hz.
Way too broad a generalization.

I'd say just about *any* loudspeaker would benefit from the right pair of subs properly blended.
Benefit to a bass obsessed audiophile - yes. Required or needed for music reproduction - no.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,137 posts
 
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.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,137 posts
 
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.
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