Specifications Bandwidth: 19 Hz - 25 kHz ...?


I've seen this specification used on some speakers. While I understand what it means, my question is - what practical good is this specification in terms of how the speaker might perform?

If it's -10db at 19hz, it's pretty useless and while 19hz may not matter, what is the response at 25-30hz where one might care?
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Showing 1 response by dan2112

The measurements are pretty useless.

Keep in mind +/- 3db can mean up 3 db at 100 HZ and down 3 db at 150 Hz resulting in an overall change of 6 db in 50 Hz but it's still within published specs. You will hear this in the midrange.

As a general rule drop outs in frequency are more easily forgiven by the human than peaks or hills in frequency response.

Also most published curves are weighted and are averaged across a sample of speakers. What your speaker measures, who knows unless the manufacture ships a plot with the speaker. Point is - listen! The numbers are only good for general comparison.

Not having a flat response to 20 Hz is not always a bad thing. Most rooms have modes to deal with and depending on the location of the speakers the room will boost low frequency. If the speakers have a nice roll off in the bass you may gain some back by room placement - this is called room response and some manufactures now publish these ranges too.

- Dan