The great myth about subs is - while many audiophiles expect their subs to be fast - there is nothing fast or quick about 20 HZ or even 30 HZ. While there are good and bad subs "there is no such thing as a fast sub". The job and the only job of a good sub should be to faithfully produce the bottom octave/octaves of your musical presentation. A good sub should always be filtered to operate only below 50 or 60 HZ, otherwise you're expecting it/them to do the job your high dollar stereo speakers (regardless if they are panels or boxes) should be doing. While I'll not argue the importance of the quality of driver/drivers, cabinet, electronics and design, needed to make a good sub, the size of drivers and cabinet and the amount of power needed to drive it to a level that meets your expectations, is completely dependent on the amount of space you're asking it to fill. Because frequencies below 60 HZ become non directional and interact differently with the room and to the listener than higher, more directional, frequencies. Even in a live performance the lower notes of a string base, base guitar, or organ sound displaced and more felt than heard. It is more critical to match your sub/subs and power to the room than to your speakers.
Why is good, deep bass so difficult? - Myths and their Busters
This is a theme that goes round and round and round on Audiogon. While looking for good sources, I found a consultancy (Acoustic Frontiers) offering a book and links:
http://www.acousticfrontiers.com/guide-to-bass-optimization/?utm_source=CTA
Interestingly: AF is in Fairfax, CA, home to Fritz Speakers. I really have to go visit Fairfax!
And a link to two great articles over at sound and vision:
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/schroeder-frequency-show-and-tell-part-1
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/schroeder-frequency-show-and-tell-part-2
Every audiophile who is dissatisfied with the bass in their room should read these free resources.
Let me state unequivocally, deep bass is difficult for the average consumer. Most audiophiles are better off with bass limited speakers, or satellite/subwoofer systems. The former limits the danger you can get into. The latter has the most chance of success IF PROPERLY IMPLEMENTED.
The idea that large drivers/subs are slow is a complete and utter myth. Same for bass reflex. The issue is not the speed of the drivers. The issue is usually that the deeper a speaker goes the more it excites room modes, which the audiophile is then loathe to address.
Anyway, please read away. I look forward to reading comments.
http://www.acousticfrontiers.com/guide-to-bass-optimization/?utm_source=CTA
Interestingly: AF is in Fairfax, CA, home to Fritz Speakers. I really have to go visit Fairfax!
And a link to two great articles over at sound and vision:
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/schroeder-frequency-show-and-tell-part-1
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/schroeder-frequency-show-and-tell-part-2
Every audiophile who is dissatisfied with the bass in their room should read these free resources.
Let me state unequivocally, deep bass is difficult for the average consumer. Most audiophiles are better off with bass limited speakers, or satellite/subwoofer systems. The former limits the danger you can get into. The latter has the most chance of success IF PROPERLY IMPLEMENTED.
The idea that large drivers/subs are slow is a complete and utter myth. Same for bass reflex. The issue is not the speed of the drivers. The issue is usually that the deeper a speaker goes the more it excites room modes, which the audiophile is then loathe to address.
Anyway, please read away. I look forward to reading comments.