Speaker Question

[Bobthedog]

Hypothetical question re speakers. An open E string on a bass is approx 41hz and a B approx 31hz. If I had a subwoofer with a frequency range down to 35hz and played an open B, what would come out of the speaker? A mess? A note equivalent to 35hz? Nothing?

Lets assume nothing interferes with  / deteriorates the signal between string and speaker.

[jrixn1]

It's only the fundamental which is 31Hz, which isn't that important.  The overall sound of the B string (or any instrument which isn't a sine wave) is a combination of many different frequencies, most of which can be reproduced by your speaker.

"The missing fundamental phenomenon is used electronically by some pro audio manufacturers to allow sound systems to seem to produce notes that are lower in pitch than they are capable of reproducing"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_fundamental

[Bobthedog]

3 minutes ago, jrixn1 said:

It's only the fundamental which is 31Hz, which isn't that important.  The overall sound of the B string (or any instrument which isn't a sine wave) is a combination of many different frequencies, most of which can be reproduced by your speaker.

"The missing fundamental phenomenon is used electronically by some pro audio manufacturers to allow sound systems to seem to produce notes that are lower in pitch than they are capable of reproducing"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_fundamental

Thank you

Edited March 18, 2021 by Bobthedog

[Mottlefeeder]

The specification for a speaker usually defines the range by the frequencies at which the volume has dropped to 50%. Going slightly below the specified low limit will result in even lower volumes, until you reach the point where the speaker+box no longer behave as designed, and the speaker movement becomes uncontrolled. This could cause speaker damage.

Hypothetically, using a sub to reproduce the fundamental will put you in the audio spectrum used by the kick drum, and the result will be indistinct and muddy.

David 

[Owen]

I did this using a QSC KW112 and a KW118 (or whatever it is) sub. On it's own the KW112 with the deep switch engaged was lush. I was prepared for a tsunami of LF joy with the sub. Active 1Kw 18" driver. It was a massive let down. Yes there was more LF goodness but also an awful lot of LF badness. 

[Bolo]

5 hours ago, jrixn1 said:

It's only the fundamental which is 31Hz, which isn't that important.  The overall sound of the B string (or any instrument which isn't a sine wave) is a combination of many different frequencies, most of which can be reproduced by your speaker.

"The missing fundamental phenomenon is used electronically by some pro audio manufacturers to allow sound systems to seem to produce notes that are lower in pitch than they are capable of reproducing"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_fundamental

That is it.