by Gerry Lemay, Director, Home Acoustics Alliance
One of the hardest things for me to describe in words alone is the sound of good bass. Oh yes, the terms deep, tight and fast always come up but that’s misses the mark for many non-audiophiles. Let’s face it, for many folks bass is either loud and booming or minimized as much as possible. But whether you are a bass lover or hater, both can enjoy the same calibrated bass settings thus leaving the debate to instead hinge on their choice of listening material and sound level.
So then, how then do we achieve “good sounding bass?” The short answer, “Today, High End sound means “Calibrated” sound.” As you tune a system to remove resonance either by speaker placement or equalization you are losing gain. This gain must be made up by the subwoofers inherent capabilities. Cheap subwoofers are a disservice because they depend on bad sound (boom) to play loud enough. Therefore, if you begin the calibration process by using a cheap subwoofer, you limit your whole system’s capability and performance. Similar to having a Mercedes equipped with a moped engine.
One technique now touted by THX and CEDIA is to place two or four subwoofers at the midpoints of a listening room. This placement actually reduces resonance mechanically by placing the subwoofers in the nulls of many of the annoying resonances (NOTE: this technique does not eliminate all resonances thus depends on EQ as well). The downside is that these resonances actually increase the apparent gain of the sub so calibrated adjustments are required.
An interesting sidebar is that good bass can actually improve the sound of high frequencies as well. Better clarity and focus (imaging) is always attained. Taking the time to properly place subwoofers and tune their equalization is one of the fundamental benefits of audio calibration. In addition, if one is willing to accept the reduced sound level even a lesser sub can sound better with the simplest changes.
Acquire the appreciation of “good sounding bass.” An old trick to this appreciation is to allow the listener to get used to the calibrated sound then return it back to the old boomy, uncalibrated stuff. Besides being seductive, calibrated bass can be addictive and they will want it back.
So a description of good bass is not as useful as experiencing it but in lieu of that your good advice should always encourage proper sub placement and equalization. In the long run, it will assure a professional result and it might just make the difference in mixed marriages; bass lovers versus bass haters that is.
About Home Acoustics Alliance® (HAA) – The HAA® is a professional training organization dedicated toward home acoustics. Its purpose is to promote the correct and most effective use of acoustical design and calibration techniques specifically for the home. The HAA® brings together Manufacturers, Audio/Video Professionals, and Consumers in the pursuit of excellence. It is a melting pot for ideas and techniques for achieving great sound through collaboration. Find more at http://www.homeacoustics.net/
