Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Bass is different. Listening to loudspeakers in a room, highs and mids reflect easily off of walls and make the sound come alive, which would otherwise have a deadness to it, like being in an anechoic chamber. But bass does not reflect so easily. On the one hand, deep bass frequencies easily pass through thin walls and openings in the room, and in most modern houses, usually result in thinness in the deep bass. Another problem with bass in the house are resonances. Room dimensions less than about 18 to 20 feet will build up standing waves and create enforcement at audible frequencies (actually, felt more than heard). This is based on the wavelength of the bass tone, which travels at about 1130 feet per second at sea level.

 

The reason I mention the above is because deep bass as perceived in music is felt more than heard, especially at frequencies below about 40 hz, and that sensation of "impact" is essential to whether a loudspeaker is considered to have proper bass response. Headphones have a similar issue, insofar as being perceived as having proper bass response. Since the deep bass waves don't have a 20-foot length area in which to reflect and reinforce, you might expect that what you don't hear in actual bass tones would not be perceived at all. But the headphone makers make it happen anyway, and most of the higher priced headphones deliver "impact" in the low bass along with the sounds themselves.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Interestingly, the sound of bass is tied into a deep part of our primal brain. Evolutionarily we have become highly attuned to it. It triggers out fight or flight response, the same effect when we are confronted by danger. Hence why cello's are so good for scary music scores. Double basses too. The reason is because bass = big. Big animals produce bassy noises from the steps to their ability to tear down trees. The effect on us hearing this is the same...RUN!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now

×
×
  • Create New...