Move to NYC Apt -- Vandersteen 3A Speaker Woes

Keep in mind that a 20Hz note has a wavelenght of about 34 feet. In other words to hear it you have to be 34 feet away from the speaker. That's why you could not hear the bass loudly, but your neighbor could. The second node of that note is at 68 feet away from the speaker....possibly irritating someone else! :) I agree with others: keep them until you know for sure what's up, since they are outstanding speakers!

If you're concerned about sound transmission, watch out for loft apts in old industrial or commercial buildings that have been renovated, unless the building has full concrete construction. The floors/ceilings in such places are often exposed wood, and even when not, are notorious for passing sound. I work in Tribeca where people pay millions of dollars for luxury lofts and you hear a lot of complaints about this. They feel like their neighbors are in the same space with them. I've heard of people putting the unit back up for sale after a few weeks, only because of sound transmission. (The inflating real estate market of the last few years has partially covered up the problem, because you can flip the unit if you're not happy.) But whoever is still there will hear you, and you will hear them, MORE so than in many modern or cheaper accommodations.

11-01-05: Hpims wrote: "Keep in mind that a 20Hz note has a wavelenght of about 34 feet. In other words to hear it you have to be 34 feet away from the speaker."

That's simply nonsense.

Kal

Yes, the comment about the 20Hz note is nonsense. The wave may not form, but the pressure change will be sensed as though bass waves are propagating through the room.

My Stax Omega II headphones have amazingly deep bass response. Given the size of the "room" I should hear only upper midrange on up if the space between the driver and my eardrum had to be at least as long as a full wavelength for a particular pitch to be audible.

Learn how to return obscenities in 20-to-30 different languages and keep the gear as is.

Best regards,
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