Apparently, there are two schools of thought regarding bass. Some people say it creates a "dark" noise where you you can't hear the mids and highs. Others say the bass helps bring them out.
gofar99 Messages: 1955 Registered: May 2010 Location: Southern Arizona
Illuminati (5th Degree)
Hi, Neither. To me the amount of bass (volume, plus depth) is what matters. Too much particularly in volume compared to the rest of the sound will mask the mids and highs. Too little will emphasize them. I have heard far too many systems that are boomy. I prefer a balance. The bass needs to be clean and not over emphasized. I differ from a number of listeners in that I do see a need for response down to the 20HZ range if it is clean. If not clean then something on the order of 40-50 HZ will usually sound better. I can certainly shake the house with my subs (twin 7.5 cubic foot ones with 15 inch drivers...-3db at 17HZ) but they are absolutely non-obtrusive. If you shut them off... it is clear that something went away but when they are operating it just makes a fuller sounding system. So... deep, clean and not over emphasized bass is helpful to round out the sound IMO.