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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
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.
chadnliz's avatar
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
Tvad nailed it like he often does.
If its meant to be there and the folks who composed or wrote the music went to the trouble of putting it there why not strive to hear their efforts?
Doesnt seem weird or silly to want an honest and full scale reproduction of it to me.
Hearing that air, extension or feeling that impact is a big part of the wow factor, clipping off the bottom end just IMO goes against what we stand for, honest reproduction.......if it aint there then how honest is it?
Whats next, dating women with no nipples? :)
hifihvn
943 posts
 
You do catch a lot of low bass in a large building/auditorium. It does help make a life like performance at home. There is information down there that are caught of the right recordings.
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,333 posts
 
Most people here who are listening to deep bass are actually listening to mostly distortion - although manufacturers won't admit it - sad to say but distortion sells really well
hifihvn
943 posts
 
My main speakers don't go low enough, but sometimes I do turn a sub on just to catch that natural distortion you refer to, that happens in a large auditorium. And its all part of the natural non-amplified music experience.
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