The discussion of subwoofers is never complete without mentioning various performance metrics. The subwoofer output and bass extension are two of the most important parameters that are used to determine the performance of a subwoofer. While the two terms sound obvious, not many people know what they refer to and their impact on the overall music experience.
The output of a subwoofer is simply all about how loud it can play in a room at any given time. To get the most out of your sound system you may want to invest in a subwoofer that can deliver enough output to fill your space with deep bass.
On the other hand, the bass extension also known as bass ext is more than just about the loudness of a subwoofer. So what does bass ext mean, and how important is it to the performance of a subwoofer? Read on to learn more and get answers to all your questions.
What is Bass Extension?
Bass extension is a term used to describe the lowest frequency level a subwoofer can reach to reproduce bass sounds without resulting in significant distortion. In simple words, bass ext is all about how low your subwoofer can go below its designated tuning point.
Bass extension is measured in hertz (Hz), with higher numbers indicating the ability to reproduce lower frequencies. For instance, most high-end subwoofers can reach a low of 25 Hz while allowing them to reproduce low-end sounds accurately.
However, using a bass extension you can push the subwoofer to reach frequencies as low as 20 Hz (lower limit of human hearing), without affecting the output or risking distortion. In other words, bass ext helps to ‘extend’ the lower frequency without sacrificing the output quality.
Remember, subwoofers are designed to reproduce the lowest frequencies. This is often the range that your speakers often struggle to play. This is where a subwoofer with bass extension comes in to help fill in any frequency gap in the hearing range.
Importance of Bass Extension
Generally, subwoofers with a good bass extension can accurately reproduce the full range of frequencies present in your speakers and other audio sources. Such frequencies include bass drums, bass guitar, and other low-frequency sounds.
Bass extension is also critical in creating a realistic and immersive listening experience, especially in music and movie soundtracks. Without a good bass extension, some of the low-frequency effects (LFE) may not be reproduced accurately, which can diminish the overall enjoyment of the movie. Such effects include explosions, car crashes, and other intense sounds.
It is important to note that very few music genres dip down to 20 Hz. Most musical instruments are reproduced effectively at the 30 Hz range. In such applications, you can always get away with a bass extension of 25 Hz. So, if need a subwoofer for music listening purposes only, then you don’t necessarily need a bass extension that extends below the 30 Hz.
However, some instruments are reproduced close to 20 Hz, so it is always a good idea to get a bass ext that will sufficiently cover all the bass notes. This will allow you to get the most out of your music while ensuring that you don’t miss out on some critical low notes in your music.
Similarly, if you are looking to hear all the soundtracks in your favorite movies and films, you’ll need to go with a subwoofer that can get down at least to 20 Hz. Anything higher than this will not allow you to recreate the desired movie theater experience.
If you’re shopping for a subwoofer for use with your home theater, you may want to get one with a rating that can extend below the recommended 20 Hz mark. This extension will not only allow you to hear the lowest bass notes but also feel them while allowing you to recreate a cinematic experience at home.
Bass Extension vs Bass Boost Extension
You may be tempted to use the terms bass extension and bass boost extension interchangeably, but the two are quite different things. While both are used to enhance the bass frequencies in an audio signal, they vary in the manner in which they achieve this.
The bass boost extension is a type of audio program that is used to add richness and more depth to low-end sounds. It achieves this by increasing the volume or amplitude of the bass frequencies, thereby making your music sound fuller and more powerful.
Bass boost extension is used in a variety of applications, including home and car audio systems, mobile phones, PC applications, etc. The bass boost extension can be built into the audio system itself or added as a separate component.
In most applications, the bass boost extension allows the operator to adjust the amount of bass boost applied to the low-end frequencies. This implies that you can increase or decrease the boost depending on your specific needs while allowing for a more customized experience.
However, it is critical to note that using an excessive amount of bass boost can lead to an unpleasant listening experience. As such, it is important to stick with the recommended level of bass boost extension to avoid over-emphasis or distorting the sound.
Bass boost extension is achieved using various methods, such as equalization, filtering, among other audio processing software. The aim of bass boost extension is to make the bass frequencies more prominent while enhancing your overall listening experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much bass extension is necessary?
Most bassheads always love to push their sound system to the limit. While it might sound good at first, it definitely comes with consequences. An excessive bass extension can be fatiguing, and in most cases, it is not a reflection of the original recording.
The goal of bass extension should be to immerse you in the content without unnecessary distractions. If you follow the recommended bass extension range, you’re guaranteed to enjoy accurate bass that allows you to immerse yourself in your movies and favorite music for hours on end.
Does increasing bass damage speakers?
Generally, your subwoofer and speakers should be able to withstand bass boost provided that it is within the recommended SPL level. However, boosting the bass when the SPL level is extremely high can potentially cause damage to the speaker cones. Over time, the cones can deform, making the speakers break down eventually.
When setting up your speakers and subwoofer, it is important to balance the output of the speakers with the low-frequency output. Earth-shaking bass can be fun, but it should not be too boomy or overpower the rest of the frequencies.
Conclusion
There is a lot of satisfaction that comes with boosting or extending the low-end. Extending the low-end frequencies allows you to experience notes that would otherwise be missing while making the subwoofer increase the thumping and sound a lot more powerful. Investing in a subwoofer with good bass extension will not only allow you to enhance the low-end, but it will also let you experience all the sounds like you would in real life.
