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Does "full range" really mean anything?

OK, what's up with all the people who list as "full range" speakers that, by the manufacturer's own inflated spec sheets, do not claim to be full range? Speakers that only go down to 45 or 50 hz? And if we're gonna fudge the meaning of "full range" doesn't it make more sense to fudge it on the high end, since most people, especially people over 30, can't hear to 20,000hz anyway? I've recently checked my 47-year-old ears and discovered that I'm no longer hearing anything above about 16,000hz. But I'm hearing low-end just fine. I've also been studying the ads here for full-range speakers, waiting for a reasonably priced pair to come available. But I find that most ads for speakers are not, in fact, for full range speakers. Is this just semantics?
winegasman

Showing 1 response by seandtaylor99

seandtaylor99
1,262 posts
 
I agree with Timo, but I have also found that my hearing above 16kHz is quite limited, so I never worry about any HF extension above about 18kHz. On the other hand I think that the LF information (down to 20Hz and below) really helps to recreate the atmosphere of a real venue. (I bought an active sub about 2 years ago and it transformed my system).

I also agree with CDC that a two-way design cannot possibly produce real low bass without severely compromising the mid-range, since the same driver can shift air at 20Hz and also be accurately reproducing 3kHz at the same time.
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