For HT, how important is extension south of 20 Hz?


Though I've been a two-channel dealer for years, in some ways I'm a home-theater newbie...

I see mega-subwoofer systems with claimed extension well down into the teens or even single-digits.

Are there a lot of movie soundtracks with significant information below 20 Hz? If so, how high a priority do you personally place on bass extension south of 20 Hz?

Thanks!

Duke
audiokinesis
I too think it's a personal choice. I have a pair of subs that measure below 20Hz (due to in room gain) and it's nice, but they are actually only rated to 20 Hz.

My opinion is that 20 Hz is fine.

Though, I just read a Dolby Digital White Paper that says the Sound Engineers will send LFE info from 3 to 120 Hz to the .1 channel.
Good question and I don't know the answer. I've never measured the low freq output in any movie I've watched so I'm not sure how low they go?

I'd guess that the lower the sub will go...the less problems it may have out putting the freq's above at high SPL's?

My room is 4600 cubic ft.... 3 VMPS subs (17hz)...each has an active 15" and 12" driver, and a 15" passive,...nearly bone crushing bite when called for, extended low freq harmonics in SiFi and Horror type movies are amazing in their ability to pressurize the room.

That said...what freq's are these? I'm not sure.

Dave
And then there is legendary Brown Note, the frequency reportedly somewhere between 5Hz and 20Hz that invokes involuntary gastrointestinal motility. Wouldn't want to miss out on that. Great for parties and family gatherings.
02-19-07: Drubin
"And then there is legendary Brown Note, the frequency reportedly somewhere between 5Hz and 20Hz that invokes involuntary gastrointestinal motility. Wouldn't want to miss out on that. Great for parties and family gatherings"

HeHe....they busted that one on the Myth Busters TV show.

Dave
Thanks for the responses. And Bulldogger, do I know you? When I was in New Orleans there was at least one active audio club member from Gretna...

Just curious, Bulldogger - what subwoofer(s) do you use for movies now?

Thanks,

Duke