For so much music though there isn't a "proper amount" of bass, because there was never a single performance. How many recordings are mixed from tracks recorded in multiple studios? (Most recordings by "celebrities".) Or even if there was a single performance the recording is an engineered illusion. Like connecting electric instruments directly to the console rather than recording actual sound with a mic. Or sticking mics were no humans would go, like inside of a bass drum or down the throat of a piano. Or applying equalization or reverb or sound shaping devices here and there. Often bass limiting. Or the mixing trick I hate the most, moving loud instruments like drums deeper into the mix so they don't get too much attention, and detract from vocalists or lead guitar players, or whatever. Ugh.
Most recordings suck. We are seldom the target audience.
So except for purist classical recordings or very well-recorded acoustic jazz, I'm with ATDG, and just adjust the sub level to "sound good".
You don't think there's a reference that orchestras and jazz musicians tune to when they're setting up for a live show? However, a recording is just a recording - it's not the live event with you sitting in the concert hall. Thus a recording standard would only resolve recording issues; it won't make the recordings as good as the live events, which you seem to be speaking of, and which is not what I was talking about at all.
If there was a recording standard I'm sure there would be a reference for classical, one for Jazz, one of Rock, etc. And within that reference I imagine there'd be a window for how to tune the bass depending on the genre. It still wouldn't stop people from turn up or down their subwoofers, though. My point is if most recordings didn't "suck," to quote you, it would be easier to constantly achieve the sound we're looking for, which is the sound the artist intended us to hear when they created the recording.
Why?
Do nulls occur only for rock/pop music, but is absent for classical music?
Because I don't think the bass from the Salon2 is as powerful and loud as from my dual Rythmik subs?
I don't think the bass from the Salon2 will be as powerful, deep, and loud as from my dual Rythmik even in an anechoic chamber with no nulls.
Nope - the null is created by your room, but classical music isn't artificial as far as bass goes (it's un-amplified), so it will sound different. Wanting more is just fine, but the dynamic range of Classical music can and will be more revealing than rock or pop. With the latter genres it could take a FR deviation of several decibels before you noticed, but with classical you might notice after 2-3dB, hence my comment about possible nulls. It's just possible that it takes something like a good classical music recording before you're able to hear some of the ill effects of the room. I'm sure you'll roll your eyes and deny your room is at play, and that's fine, but it simply shouldn't be ruled out. I've seen you mention in the past it is untreated, so you just never know.
I agree - the subs will output more bass (duh). That isn't what I meant.
