Frequencies?

[SpkR newb]

Hi, I've been looking at speakers and I'm not sure I understand the frequencies which are supposed to be very important? At one pair of floorstanders there was the lowest frequency 37Hz, and at another 45Hz.. Is that a big difference? What about 20 000 and 35 000? That sounds big but does it matter? What frequencies are good enough for today's speakers? What's the best? Thanks for all answers!!

 

[Gohanto]

Completely depends what you're looking for, but generally you'd want main speakers that can handle at least 60-20,000 Hz +/- 3dB. 20kHz is the upper freq. limit of human hearing (and most people older than 25 can't even hear that high).

You'll most likely want a sub with your system since the lowest sound the human ear can hear is 20Hz, and floor speakers rarely can play that low (and the few that are still can't get the bass quality that a high quality sub can deliver). However, going with larger main speakers would let you set a lower crossover point (the frequency where sound shifts from playing on main speakers to being played on the sub), but rarely will people set that below 50Hz even with larger high quality speakers (the THX standard is 80Hz as that's pretty low to the point where sound becomes omnidirectional).

Double check that the lowest frequencies listed are the -3dB point (once the level as rolled off about that much, the output is pretty useless generally, but some manufacturers write the "lowest frequency" at the -6dB or even -12dB point to make it look like their speakers plays lower than it really does). So if you're getting a sub, 37Hz vs. 45Hz doesn't matter much since you'd most likely be crossing the sound over to the sub above both of those frequencies, but if for some reason you can't get a sub, then getting the deeper bass down to 37Hz would be very important. Most of the impact/slam of bass happens in the 30-120Hz range and below that it's largely a more subtle bass effect.

But again, the best option is having a separate sub, no question.

 

[zhimbo]

Yep, listen to Gohanto. I'll be surprised if anyone has anything at all meaningful to add.

 

[no. 5]

Hi, I've been looking at speakers and I'm not sure I understand the frequencies which are supposed to be very important?

The most important frequency range could arguably be between about 200Hz and 3kHz as that covers most of the human vocal range and also where most of music happens, if a loudspeaker doesn't get that range right, nothing else is of much importance.

Beyond that, low frequency extension has a large baring on listener preference, low frequency extension being determined by the -10dB point relative to the average level of the mid frequency band.

And it is very important to know that the advertised numbers for frequency response are useless, measurement graphs made by third parties are the only way to know what you are getting for the money.

At one pair of floorstanders there was the lowest frequency 37Hz, and at another 45Hz.. Is that a big difference?

It's a bit of a difference, how much of a difference depends on the energy distribution of what you are listening to. For most music, a speaker that's flat to 40Hz is enough to cover everything.

And again, comparisons cannot be made by manufacturer provided numbers, for one thing, there is no way of knowing how a marketing department arrived at the numbers given.

For example, most manufacturers have the low frequency extension as the (claimed) -3dB point, but a 3dB drop isn't that much change in volume, and that number alone does not tell you what kind of slope the roll off takes (and that is an important piece of information). Once room effects are introduced, the low frequency cut off could be anywhere. Much better is to know the -10dB point; because at that point the volume has dropped in half, even with room effects there will be minimal (if any) appreciable output below this point.

What about 20 000 and 35 000? That sounds big but does it matter?

No.

Very few people can hear to 20kHz, much less above.

What frequencies are good enough for today's speakers? What's the best?

A loudspeaker that covers a range of 50Hz to 15kHz could sound fantastic and one that covers 18Hz to 50kHz can sound awful; the range covered is not as important as what the speaker is doing in its range, and the only place to find that information is in graphs of the on and off axis response of the loudspeaker.

 

[fredk]

...the range covered is not as important as what the speaker is doing in its range, and the only place to find that information is in graphs ...

And in store listening with music you are very familiar with.

 

[Pyrrho]

Hi, I've been looking at speakers and I'm not sure I understand the frequencies which are supposed to be very important? At one pair of floorstanders there was the lowest frequency 37Hz, and at another 45Hz.. Is that a big difference? What about 20 000 and 35 000? That sounds big but does it matter? What frequencies are good enough for today's speakers? What's the best? Thanks for all answers!!

Frequency response is one of many characteristics of speakers, so let me add that you absolutely should not buy speakers based solely on frequency response. All speakers are imperfect, with levels of distortion so high that they are virtually never listed in the specifications. You should listen to a variety of speakers in your price range before you buy, and carefully consider which sounds best to you with music with which you are familiar. If you care about good sound, go to several stores in your area, and do not buy anything right away. Go home and think about it all afterwards, and then go reaudition anything that you thought was good, to see if you still like it another day.

 

[gixxerific]

The above responses are good, so listen to them.

I will state as said above again that though freq response may look good on paper what is important is how they will sound in your specific room. Or what kind of sound you like. So listen, listen, listen (to many diff speakers that is).

God luck, Dono

 

[SpkR newb]

OK so I need speakers with quite low lower frequency (around 30-40Hz) because I won't have a sub. How are Paradigms 100? I already asked about equivalent Klipsch vs 100's and they're supposed to be better. Will they work with Sony str-db830. How do you know when a speaker will work with a reciever? What cables are the best for floorstanders? What does the -3dB measurement mean? Is it important? Thanks for all previous answers and I'm sorry for asking so many questions but unfortunately I don't know anything...

 

[Pyrrho]

OK so I need speakers with quite low lower frequency (around 30-40Hz) because I won't have a sub. How are Paradigms 100? I already asked about equivalent Klipsch vs 100's and they're supposed to be better.

I will let others respond to those questions, as I am unfamiliar with the particular speakers you are interested in. But be sure to listen before you buy.

Will they work with Sony str-db830. How do you know when a speaker will work with a reciever?

The important things when matching an amplifier/receiver with a speaker are the impedance of the speaker, the efficiency/sensitivity of the speaker, and the power output of the amplifier/receiver (RMS rating from 20-20,000 Hz @ ?% THD @ the impedance of the speaker). Basically, the impedance of the speaker must not be too low for the amplifier/receiver, and the power must be enough, given the efficiency of the speaker and the loudness one desires. Because of the variability of what one might desire, and how loud a speaker will be is affected by the room and how far you are from the speaker, it is difficult to say how much power is enough. Your best bet on this is to select a speaker you like, and in the stereo shop, listen with a low powered amplifier and then a higher powered one, to see what you think. Keep in mind, your room will be different, so it is usually best to get something that can play louder than you really want, just in case your room is more acoustically "dead" than the room at the stereo shop. It is also good to buy locally from a store with an excellent return policy, just in case you are not happy with it in your home.

The power handling of the speaker is also relevant, as a speaker must be able to handle enough power to play loud enough, given its efficiency. However, power handling ratings are not standardized, and consequently are not generally comparable from one brand to the next. In other words, such ratings are often virtually meaningless.

What cables are the best for floorstanders?

Floorstanders do not require anything different from other kinds of speakers; see:

http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

There is a lot of voodoo nonsense about wires. Don't waste your money on magic wires. But pay attention to the gauge chart at the above link.

What does the -3dB measurement mean? Is it important? Thanks for all previous answers and I'm sorry for asking so many questions but unfortunately I don't know anything...

Take a look at:

http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/131062.html

You may wish to do some other searching for information about "frequency response", if the above is not detailed enough for you.

And there is no need to apologize for asking questions. It is the right thing to do when one wishes to get answers. Also, it is a good idea to do some internet searching on one's own, keeping in mind that, along with all of the great and useful information that is available, there is also a lot of misinformation, or, in other words, falsehoods, as any moron with internet access can claim any nonsense they wish online. It is a good idea to look to a variety of sources and to think carefully before making up one's mind, especially if one were researching something controversial.

 

[no. 5]

OK so I need speakers with quite low lower frequency (around 30-40Hz) because I won't have a sub. How are Paradigms 100?

Judging from the measurements from this review, it looks like the Paradigms will be satisfactory.

Will they work with Sony str-db830.

If the Sony is rated for four Ohm speakers.

What does the -3dB measurement mean? Is it important?

-3dB describes a point in the speaker's frequency response that has dropped three decibels relative to the input level. 3dB is a noticeably - but not large - change in loudness.

 

[fredk]

No. 5 beat me to it. I like the soundstage site because it is the only place I have found that offers independant anechoic measurements.

I have listened to the Studio 20, 40 and 60 and I do like their sound. Clean and detailed they give you the feeling the musicians are in front of you.