Why is good, deep bass so difficult? - Myths and their Busters


This is a theme that goes round and round and round on Audiogon. While looking for good sources, I found a consultancy (Acoustic Frontiers) offering a book and links:

http://www.acousticfrontiers.com/guide-to-bass-optimization/?utm_source=CTA

Interestingly: AF is in Fairfax, CA, home to Fritz Speakers. I really have to go visit Fairfax!

And a link to two great articles over at sound and vision:

https://www.soundandvision.com/content/schroeder-frequency-show-and-tell-part-1
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/schroeder-frequency-show-and-tell-part-2

Every audiophile who is dissatisfied with the bass in their room should read these free resources.

Let me state unequivocally, deep bass is difficult for the average consumer. Most audiophiles are better off with bass limited speakers, or satellite/subwoofer systems. The former limits the danger you can get into. The latter has the most chance of success IF PROPERLY IMPLEMENTED.

The idea that large drivers/subs are slow is a complete and utter myth. Same for bass reflex. The issue is not the speed of the drivers. The issue is usually that the deeper a speaker goes the more it excites room modes, which the audiophile is then loathe to address.

Anyway, please read away. I look forward to reading comments.
erik_squires
For measurements, if I'm not using OmniMic, the Android app AudioTools + the Dayton IMM6 microphone is a real godsend.

Best,

E
For not a ton of money you can get the Behringer ultracurve and measurement mic.   Then you can put the ultracurve between a digital source and DAC.  This will give you all the digital equalization you could ever want. 

It also allows you to compare the digital signal from the source with the analog signal coming from the measurement mic.  Get a tone generator and you can see the difference at every frequency.  I did this many years back and it really helped me understand how the room, bass traps and equalization effect the sound.  

If you aren't willing to do this or similar and you are bothered by uneven bass then I agree that it's best to have a system that doesn't do deep bass.  

https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-DEQ2496-BEHRINGER-ULTRACURVE-PRO/dp/B000CCN152


Hi Erik,

Roger on the cost. Plus having to build the chamber.

Sounds like you get a lot of low bass. Do those woofers also load the room?

Dave 
Dave, I'm now in a completely open floorplan, so no room loading. Previously, yes!

Rather than the Behringer, I like the miniDSP line. Easier to control via windows UI, and I can feed it directly from OmniMic. I measure the response and then have OmniMic calculate a correction curve, and I'm done.

What I like about OmniMic is my ability to tailor the target curve. I usually go for a 1 to 2 dB/octave descending slope starting at 16-20 Hz for the sub. JL does a similar thing.