Interesting paper on deep bass perception...

Here is something just linked to on Audio Asylum - a 48 page scientific paper on Speaker placement, externalization, and envelopment in home listening rooms (.pdf).

I haven't had a chance to read much of it yet, but anyone interested in the subject of proper bass and deep bass reproduction might give it a go.

Abstract

The ideal number and placement of low frequency drivers in small listening
rooms has been controversial. Most research has assumed listener satisfaction is
determined by the sound pressure as a function of frequency and source-listener
position. We believe two additional properties of the soundfield, externalization
and envelopment, contribute to listener preference. We propose mathematical
methods for quantifying these two perceptual properties given a measured or
calculated binaural impulse response. The Average Interaural Time Difference
(AITD) is our measure for externalization, and the Diffuse Field Transfer function
(DFT) is our measure for envelopment. An image model for small rectangular
rooms is used to predict the values of pressure, AITD, and DFT for different room
properties and driver locations. It is found that the low frequency pressure
uniformity, the AITD, and the DFT can be increased in the prime listening area by
using multiple low frequency drivers – especially at the sides of the listeners.
When playing material where the bass energy is primarily monaural, the drivers
on the left side of the room should lead or lag the drivers on the right side by a
constant phase angle of 90 degrees. Listening tests confirm the results of the
calculations.

What say the jury?