FYI: Audible Frequency Range

[masticatingcow]

Hey NICO--

I've noticed a lot of people stressing about the frequency response of various car audio components (head unit, speakers, subs, crossovers, etc.)

I want to remind everyone that the audible frequency range for humans is approximately 20Hz to 20kHz. I would suggest that people keep this in mind when trying to decide what components to install.

For example:Subwoofer A has a frequency range of 15Hz - 200Hz and costs $120 (purely arbitrary specs BTW) while Subwoofer B has a frequency range of 20Hz - 200Hz, and costs $110. Assuming that the subs are otherwise identical, there will be no audible difference between them, and the $10 extra for Sub A will have been wasted.

The same holds true for CD players. While a given CD player responds to frequencies as low as 5Hz, there will be no audible difference between it and one that can only respond at 18Hz or 20Hz.

And, unless you want to play tunes for the benefit of your dog, there's no sonic advantage to buying tweeters that respond to frequencies above 20KHz.

Keep this in mind, and while it may or may not be a factor in your purchases, it's still good to know.

[Touchdown038]

You are right about the human ear only hearing that range, but don't forget that at 15 Hz, that sub is still pushing air, even though we might not be able to hear it.

Not relevant for those of us only interested in sound quality (such as myself) but for competition subs, the more air the higher SPL level, which is what you're going for.

[masticatingcow]

Excellent point, and well taken. Those who are interested in competition-level sound certainly have a broader agenda than those simply replacing the stock system with something better. In that vein, it is important to know the difference between such setups.

[diamond]

i cross subs at 15 to 33 hz.and bandpass my tweets.both sets.simbalence(spelling) anoying.iasca disk goes down to 18 hz.pipe organ.got to bypass subsonic filters.you can hear over 20 hz,thats for sure.problem with letting your sub go to far down is the recording engineers,often forget that theres high end systems it nseems cause there is alot of junk down there sometimes.should be able to go to 5-10hz.so as far as what youmcan hear.if they record it,you should here it.and nothing else.and if you cant hear over 20hz,dont compete.if you cant hear 10hz low side you dont have enough power and a subsonic filter is in the way most likely.i compete iasca.11 out of 11 first.s.q.--..but now ive had a few small strokes and cant hear my stage right.so no more .damni was just getting started too.

[masticatingcow]

i cross subs at 15 to 33 hz.and bandpass my tweets.both sets.simbalence(spelling) anoying.iasca disk goes down to 18 hz.pipe organ.got to bypass subsonic filters.you can hear over 20 hz,thats for sure.problem with letting your sub go to far down is the recording engineers,often forget that theres high end systems it nseems cause there is alot of junk down there sometimes.should be able to go to 5-10hz.so as far as what youmcan hear.if they record it,you should here it.and nothing else.and if you cant hear over 20hz,dont compete.if you cant hear 10hz low side you dont have enough power and a subsonic filter is in the way most likely.i compete iasca.11 out of 11 first.s.q.--..but now ive had a few small strokes and cant hear my stage right.so no more .damni was just getting started too.

No offense, diamond, but I can't pull more than a few scraps of intelligible information from that. Based on this fact, let me say that--

I would say that most people have no trouble hearing OVER 20Hz. If you are suggesting that people can hear sounds UNDER 20Hz, I would have to disagree. It is a biological impossibility... the inner ear physically cannot respond to frequencies that low.

I'm not downplaying the importance of subsonic response in competition. As Touchdown038 already said, subsonic response increases the volume of air being moved, therefore raising one's score. However, it sounds like you're suggesting that these frequencies are in fact AUDIBLE.

IF, and this is a BIG "if", you are right, and a select few "superhumans" can hear beyond the biologically defined frequency range, I still have a tough time believing that this is a qualifying trait for competitors. I do NOT believe that everyone who does well in competition is capable of actually HEARING what goes on below 20Hz.

This post has strayed from my original intent. Non-competition-oriented owners shouldn't concern themselves with anything below 20Hz... Period. Even if what diamond is suggesting is plausible, no average listener would ever encounter such things.

[diamond]

tell that to a judge.by the way ive dont compete in spl.in the real world your dead wrong.you just dont have the power to make it audible.are you crazy,.sorry dude ,goingn to have flame that one.you talk of what you appartently dont no anything about.8i garrantee just by what you said,you cannot hear the music.im no expert ,but fact is fact.cercomstances were not mentioned i believe.and the reason to hear higher than 20hz is so you can tell if there is sibilance.hiss.then get rid of it.

[masticatingcow]

tell that to a judge.by the way ive dont compete in spl.in the real world your dead wrong.you just dont have the power to make it audible.are you crazy,.sorry dude ,goingn to have flame that one.you talk of what you appartently dont no anything about.8i garrantee just by what you said,you cannot hear the music.im no expert ,but fact is fact

diamond--

*sigh* I'm not trying to argue with you, but "facts are facts". I don't expect you or anyone else reading these posts to check each and every one of these sites, but they are here for you if you truly do not believe me.

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.g....html

http://www.audiovideo101.com/d...id=33

http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us....html

http://www.norsonic.com/web_pa....html

Furthermore, if you're telling me that subsonic frequencies have even the slightest relevance to everyday listening, you, my friend, are the one who is "dead wrong".

And I refuse to flame you on this. Obviously it's important enough to you, but now you know who's got the "facts."

[diamond]

fact is me and many can hear this.but you are right n,your not going to hear it walking down the street thats for sure.my dads a professional studio musician.he rights music under 20hz.pipe organs are the musical culprit.but could be done electronically too.most,even kinda high end home equipment doesnt pick it up because most filters are set at 30-33 hz.in comps we learen how do defeat it to let the music thru.its a safegaurd so you dont blow things up.personally i see it as a shame.tonal accuracy.thats the game.and why would i read that stuff.i know the truth.i guess your smarter than the thousands of people trying to play notes below go.and the million of us that do.

[masticatingcow]

fact is me and many can hear this.

I especially like the part on the Norsonic site, paragraph 2, line 1, that goes, "Sound must have a frequency in the range 20-20 000 Hz to be audible by human beings."

Sorry buddy, fact is not "you" and MOST cannot hear "this," if by "this" you mean subsonic frequencies. And while you MAY be right, the evidence seems to stack up against that... again, sorry.Quote »but you are right n,your not going to hear it walking down the street thats for sure.[/quote] ...that's what I've been saying all along. Glad we agree.

[diamond]

your off the hook,have fun

[masticatingcow]

your off the hook,have fun

LOL... thanks.

[diamond]

noproblem

[spec-u-later]

:rolleyes Ooookayyy?

[Rex]

FWIW, the wavelength of a 20Hz signal is 56.5 ft. Based on that, you can't "really" hear it in the car. An 80Hz single is just over 14 ft, half that being 7 ft.

Realistically, that's about the first one you can hear in the car. You can feel the air movement and it's not uncommon for the human ear to try and approximate a sound that's not audible.

[aaronsnocker1]

When I was younger I had all of the middle ear bones removed because of a bone infection and now I can hear ultra sonic frequencies. I am not joking at all. Just thought I'd share my litte bit of freakishness.

[Rex]

By that do you mean sounds over 15,000 or 20,000 hertz?

[aaronsnocker1]

yes. you know the ones that only animals are supposed to hear. super high pitched. it is a very unpleasant experience. AKA instant headache

[diamond]

under 20,low side