Low-Q subwoofer resonances are audible mainly as spectral balance shifts

Evidence

The key idea being communicated in Figure 4.10 is that neither the amplitude of the peak in the frequency response nor the duration of ringing is a reliable clue to the audibility of the resonances, at least above the transition frequency. It is counterintuitive. Adding damping reduces the Q, and therefore the ringing. It also reduces the amplitude of the peak in the frequency response, all of which would seem to be good. But the peak is now much wider and is therefore more frequently energized by components of the program. This means that it will be more often heard; the threshold ends up being lower—this well-damped resonance is easily heard. In contrast, the Q = 50 resonance is energized only when a musical component is precisely at the right frequency and remains there long enough to allow it to accumulate energy—to build up—which is easily seen in the center column of data. — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 385 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Room low-frequency resonances make expensive audio systems sound muddy or boomy — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 1266; Low-Q resonance detection thresholds are remarkably low, making tonal changes easily audible.; Broad, low-Q resonances are the most audible transducer defects (+3 more)

Related

• Broad, low-Q resonances are the most audible transducer defects (similarity 0.96)
• Low-Q resonance detection thresholds are remarkably low, making tonal changes easily audible. (similarity 0.95)
• Resonance Q reductions below about 16 are subjectively imperceptible (similarity 0.90)
• High-Q resonances are rarely heard but catastrophically audible when music hits their exact frequency (similarity 0.90)
• Lower-Q resonances are more audible than high-Q ones despite seeming better-damped (similarity 0.89)
• Higher-Q resonances become less audible because music rarely energizes them (similarity 0.89)
• Adding damping to a resonance paradoxically makes it more audible by widening its bandwidth (similarity 0.88)
• Well-damped low-Q resonances are easier to hear than high-Q ones. (similarity 0.88)
• Reverberation masks high-Q ringing but amplifies low-Q resonances (similarity 0.88)
• Resonance detection thresholds rise with higher Q and lower frequency (similarity 0.88)
• Low-Q resonances become audible at peaks below 0.5 dB in the midrange (similarity 0.87)
• Reflections increase sensitivity to low and mid-Q resonances in reproduced sound (similarity 0.86)
• Tone-control adjustments are easily heard because low-Q resonance thresholds are tiny (similarity 0.85)
• High-Q resonances are rarely heard but intensely annoying when triggered. (similarity 0.85)
• Low-Q resonances are most often excited by music and most audible (similarity 0.84)

Broader Connections

• Lower-Q resonances are more audible than high-Q ones despite seeming better-damped #expands (0.85) — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 385