Low bass is as much about finesse as it is about weight.
Many listeners avoid subwoofers because they associate them with boomy, exaggerated bass or they don't want more boxes. That’s understandable—bad integration or a cluttered room can but a frown on your face. But a well-implemented sub isn’t about shaking walls or taking up space.
It’s about unlocking the last octave of realism. Not more bass—better bass.
Essential bass.
The human ear isn’t especially sensitive below 40Hz, but you feel those frequencies. They ground the music. They give scale, authority, and space. Without them, the foundation is missing. You don’t always notice what’s gone, but once you hear it, you don’t want to go back.
And for most of us, even those Aspen speaker owners who enjoy output down in the 20s of Hertz, we aren't privy to feeling those low notes unless we have a sub.
The trick is in the setup. Placement matters. Phase matters. Crossover points matter. A subwoofer that calls attention to itself is a liability. But when it vanishes into the system—when you don’t know it’s on until you turn it off—that’s when it’s doing its job.
When it’s right, you don’t hear the sub. You hear the room swell with energy, the full body of a cello, the weight of a kick drum that hits you in the chest. It’s not about volume—it’s about presence.
Next month, we'll be launching one of the most extraordinary subwoofers ever built. A Chris Brunhaver miracle that will be a must-have for everyone.
Stay tuned.
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