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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
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millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Ballpark $100 per Pod. They are priced higher https://www.audiogon.com/products/townshend-audio-seismic-isolation-pods but call and order direct from John Hannant he will give you better pricing. They like to recommend four per component, but I use 3 under most things and have played around and don't really notice any difference 3 vs 4. 

My first big surprise with Pods was how much resonance was coloring everything. The more Pods the more that goes away and the more every instrument sounds as it should. The cumulative effect is really something. I was listening to Brubeck last night. The whole record is a gimmick- Time Out, they are all different time signatures- and it usually gets tiresome and so hasn't been played in a while but last night I was struck over and over again how much more interesting it is when it sounds like a real piano, sax, and drum kit. 

The other thing, my room has hardly any treatment, it keeps getting put off and now I am so glad! Podiums and Pods removed a huge amount of "room" resonance that I would have sworn could only be handled with bass traps and diffuser panels! 

That is why when we did them recently at Brandon's he said it was worth a couple thousand in room treatment alone. That was Podiums, they have the biggest effect but also the biggest price tag. 

Hopefully that is enough info so you will be able to figure it out but if not you can always ask for more. 
mkgus's avatar
mkgus OP
324 posts
 
I’ve also found that isolating the subwoofer from the floor makes a big difference. I use a cheaper product to good effect: IsoAcoustics Iso-200Sub Subwoofer Isolation Stand. It’s surprising how much vibration is carried through the floor into the room’s structure which causes distortion. Highly recommend isolation of some kind for higher fidelity. 
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wspohn's avatar
wspohn
579 posts
 
While I agree that low bass is hard to arrange, and it can muck up your sound if less than well integrated, I disagree that it is absolutely necessary for good sound.

In fact I think that a system that rolls off early may be preferable to one that has plenty if muddy bass.

One of my systems uses electrostats that are 2 dB down at 45 Hz and they are wonderful for non-bass heavy music.  Better tan they would be with supplemented bass badly implemented.
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