Is bass the most important frequency band?


One thing I’ve noticed when upgrading my audio system is that when I have really good bass, I’m happy. If the bass is top notch, I can overlook less-than-stellar treble or so-so midrange. The opposite does not seem to be true. Sure, I can get tremendous enjoyment out of a high-fidelity playback of a flute or other instrument that doesn’t have much bass impact, but when I switch to a track that has some slam, if my sub/woofers don’t perform, I’m left wanting, and I am inclined to change the track. When my subwoofer game is top notch, there is something extremely pleasing about tight, powerful, and accurate bass response that easily puts a smile on my face and lifts my mood in a matter of seconds. Maybe it all boils down to the fact that bass frequencies are heard AND felt and the inclusion of another sense (touch/feeling) gives bass a competitive edge over midrange and treble. I am not talking about loud bass (although that can be really fun and has its place), but the type of bass that gives you a sense of a kick drum’s size or allows for the double bass to reach out and vibrate the room and your body. I propose to you that bass and sub-bass should be optimized first and foremost, followed by treble and midrange in order to maximize enjoyment. Thoughts?
128x128mkgus
If the low to mid bass isn’t correct, it will smear the upper frequency harmonics. Therefore, the foundation is the most important IMHO. 
IME with both 'full range' speakers and sat/sub systems is that when the manufacturer voices the bass in their full range speakers it is done in their room with their equipment, which may not do well in your room.


Separate powered subs can be the solution IF their adjustments are of hi-end quality. Alas, my 10 yo SVS powered subs have far from hi-end adjustments, but what I can tell you is a tiny adjustment to the XO can make or break how far up into the mid range the bass goes, and even a little bit of overshoot smears the mids and even the highs
hth
Something I have found about my own tastes is the absence of bass is a lot better than the presence of bad bass.

Over a period of years I tried multiple subs + amps and multiple crossovers, both passive and active. No matter what I tried, I never got it to a point where I preferred my sound with the sub. To me, it just sucked the magic out of the sound.

The only time the sub really shone was when I used my two channel system for watching tv shows. So now I have a $500 tv with a +- $5,000 crossover/amp/sub connected to it - and the sub integrates with the tv speakers seamlessly.
Every speaker upgrade of mine has been for deeper, cleaner bass. Always progress, never full satisfaction. So swarm still needed if I ever get the right listening room. Hardest band to get right for sure (to my ears).
My friend made me some subwoofers 20 years ago.  They are still sitting in approximately the same spot.  I added some bass traps but could use a couple more.  I bought sorbothane hemispheres and now realize that's not good enough.  I have nice bass but it could be better, not much.  I dread the day when I have to replace these subs.  The price will be about 10X what it cost me the first time. 

As far as being the most important, I love bass but I love mids and highs that are not fatiguing so I can listen longer and enjoy that bass.  The last thing I want is a system that is tiring.