HZ.....How low for full range music???


Hi, please tell me what are the lowest cycles needed for good full range sound, not for HT wich you would need a sub, but for rock and pop music, my friend is looking into new speakers and I know I need the deep bass for classical, but how many HZ for a rock listener? thanks
chadnliz

Showing 2 responses by eldartford

I have an elaborate array of subwoofers, and for some music, organ in particular, they have plenty to do. But, my main speakers are Maggie MG1.6, and they fall off fast at 40 Hz. However, the Maggies, when used without subwoofer help, (but with a 600 watt amp) actually sound as if they have "good bass" for most music. I have heard it said that their SMOOTH frequency response is the reason.

My experience indicates that the quality of the bass response is more important than how low it goes. Measures that a speaker designer can use to extend LF response can achieve that goal, but often results in "boomy" bass that sounds impressive in the showroom, but becomes annoying at home.
One issue that never gets mentioned is the SPL (loudness) at which the LF extension is measured. At very low volume I can get close to 20 Hz with some small Dynaudio speakers which I have. But, as you turn the volume up, the bass volume stays the same, so that at normal listening level the 20 Hz capability is for all practical purposes, zero.

IMHO, frequency response should be spec'd at some SPL. Perhaps the same level used for the sensitivity spec.