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Why the obsession with the lowest octave

From what is written in these forums and elsewhere see the following for instance.

Scroll down to the chart showing the even lowest instruments in this example recording rolling off very steeply at 40 Hz.

http://www.homerecordingconnection.com/news.php?action=view_story&id=154

It would appear that there is really very little to be heard between 20 and 40 Hz. Yet having true "full range" speakers is often the test of a great speaker. Does anyone beside me think that there is little to be gained by stretching the speakers bass performance below 30-40 cycles?
My own speakers make no apologies for going down to only 28 Hz and they are big floor standers JM Lab Electra 936s.
mechans

Showing 3 responses by tvad

tvad
9,467 posts
 
Sit mid hall or balcony and you won't experience the visceral impact of low bass.

Sit up front, and you'll have a different experience.

It depends on one's experiences and preference.

I like the visceral impact of low bass: that can't be heard but can be experienced nonetheless. Low bass makes music more than an aural event.

It's part of feeling alive.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Sitting at Dress Circle balcony level in Carnegie Hall, I felt the visceral impact of the tympanis when struck to the greatest degree I recall at recent live concert events.

Mapman (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers | This Thread)
Understood. Carnegie is a fine hall for good reasons. Imagine the impact of the tympani had you been sitting closer.

The visceral experience in the Front Terrace (first balcony) at Walt Disney Hall in Los Angeles is much different than the visceral experience in the Orchestra seats, and yet Disney is considered to be an excellent hall for acoustics.

There are always exceptions. One must write with the precision of a lawyer in these threads to cover all the possibilities.
tvad
9,467 posts
 

01-21-11: Mapman
I would propose that it is possible the impact could be less sitting closer if sitting on a more rigid floor or foundation. Its possible that being higher up and further away yet in an elevated balcony transmitted some of that bass energy through the structure, ie "the place was literally rocking" maybe.

Also, the balcony was elevated with the tympani in direct line of sight so I suspect it took a direct hit from the soundwaves, whereas the floor is closer but below the stage, so the sound waves transmitted might be lesser as well.
Uncle.
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