Equalizing only the low-Q resonance substantially improves subjective loudspeaker ratings.

Evidence

Hearing bass is advantageous, so exaggerated room resonances can benefit a loudspeaker with deficient bass output, even if the combined bass is colored. Some contemporary music styles, studio recordings, demand substantial bass output. Inadequate bass will be criticized and excessive bass rewarded. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 549 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Minimum-phase loudspeaker resonances are correctable with parametric equalization. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 510; Room resonance excess masks loudspeaker bass deficiency to listeners — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 549; Resonance Q reductions below about 16 are subjectively imperceptible (+2 more)

Related

• Resonances are the primary problem in loudspeakers (similarity 0.91)
• Room resonance excess masks loudspeaker bass deficiency to listeners (similarity 0.90)
• Most loudspeakers need equalization to correct low-frequency room resonances (similarity 0.89)
• Blind tests show any equalization improves subjective loudspeaker ratings (similarity 0.88)
• Recorded room ambience may distract listeners from evaluating raw loudspeaker quality (similarity 0.88)
• Minimum-phase loudspeaker resonances are correctable with parametric equalization. (similarity 0.87)
• Bass accounts for roughly 30 percent of perceived sound quality (similarity 0.86)
• Louder sounds are perceived as having more bass and bias subjective comparisons. (similarity 0.86)
• Loudspeaker resonances are the primary cause of poor sound quality. (similarity 0.86)
• The listening room, not the loudspeaker, determines perceived bass quality. (similarity 0.85)
• Room resonances are minimum-phase and yield to frequency equalization (similarity 0.84)
• A neutral loudspeaker can emulate many colored loudspeakers via equalization because woofers are minimum-phase (similarity 0.84)
• Listeners respond to resonance spectral prominence, not decay rate reduction (similarity 0.84)
• Resonance Q reductions below about 16 are subjectively imperceptible (similarity 0.84)
• Bass performance drives roughly 30% of overall loudspeaker sound-quality ratings. (similarity 0.84)

Broader Connections

• Room resonance excess masks loudspeaker bass deficiency to listeners #complicates (0.82) — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 549