A full range speaker?


Many claim to be, but how many can handle a full orchestra’s range?

That range is from 26hz to around 12khz including harmonics, but the speakers that can go that low are few and far between. That is a shame, since the grand piano, one of the center points of many orchestral and symphonic performances, needs that lower range to produce a low A fully, however little that key is used.

I used to think it was 32hz, which would handle a Hammond B-3’s full keyboard, so cover most of the musical instruments range, but since having subs have realized how much I am missing without those going down to 25hz with no db’s down.

What would you set as the lower limit of music reproduction for a speaker to be called full range?

 I’m asking you to consider that point where that measurement is -0db’s, which is always different from published spec's.
william53b

Showing 2 responses by daledeee1

I want to go to my first trade show.   I want to hear this to believe it.  I have been under the opinion to not even try FR. Some of the full rangers have separate cabinets. Maybe you can spend enough.  My subs go to 30.  I can hear 20 Hz test tone but has no impact due to roll off.  My speakers go to 35 and sound better with subs.  Subs add the finishing touch.  Granted not 5 figure speakers.
This thread made me look at specs.  Many speakers really do well down to 40Hz.  I wonder if people overlook the -6dB tucked away in the specs of many speakers and subs.  Big boxes make bass easily.  But wait, we want a speaker that is full range.  And we want one that has a nice look, a nice profile.  Oops there goes the efficiency.  Here come the monster amps.  Once again I have to hear these relatively small boxes make 20 Hz.  Oh I'm sorry.  My two 10" subs will do 30 Hz at 105 dB.  When I received my subs i asked what it took to get down to 20, he answered a box half the size of a refrigerator.