I have spectral analysis software on my laptop (the OmniMic from Parts Express), and a surprising number of recording show sub-30Hz energy, especially Telarc CDs. If you're into contemporary jazz I think the 20-40Hz octave is critical for really hearing what's on the recording.
Over the past year I've become a huge fan of subwoofers, and not because I want to blow myself out of the room with bass, but because you can sometimes get much smoother bass by placing one or more subs in appropriate locations than you can with just a pair of stereo speakers. It is really the smoothness of the in-room response between 20Hz and 100Hz that determines bass quality.
If you get an OmniMic or a similar set-up and measure your in-room response you might be very surprised at the number peaks and dips you see, often exceeding +/- 10db. Every room has different modes, and moving your speakers even an inch one way or the other can often make a big difference.
Over the past year I've become a huge fan of subwoofers, and not because I want to blow myself out of the room with bass, but because you can sometimes get much smoother bass by placing one or more subs in appropriate locations than you can with just a pair of stereo speakers. It is really the smoothness of the in-room response between 20Hz and 100Hz that determines bass quality.
If you get an OmniMic or a similar set-up and measure your in-room response you might be very surprised at the number peaks and dips you see, often exceeding +/- 10db. Every room has different modes, and moving your speakers even an inch one way or the other can often make a big difference.