[oldson]

hi
could someone please explain if the way i understand frequency response/range is correct??
1) can's F/R is 5hz to 40khz
2) amp's F/R is 12hz to 150khz
3) dac's F/R is 20hz to 20khz

bass from dac will only go as low as 20hz, so not getting the best out of the amp(12hz) or cans(5hz)!?!?

treble capabilities of the amp far exceed the dac and cans, so not getting best out of amp!?!?

am i right or as nutty as a fruit cake!
cans have already been purchased, amp is about to be ordered, cant decide on dac!
thaks for any help.
please keep it simple, as i am total beginner!

 

[sejarzo]

First, you really cannot hear 5 Hz, and no music contains significant energy at that level. One could only feel a 5 Hz "sound wave", not hear it as a tone. I don't think there are many subwoofers out there that can put out meaningful energy at that level even for effects.

Second, on the high end, the highest frequency that can be reproduced from standard RedBook CD is just over 22 kHz. Studies vary on the effect of reproducing higher frequencies, which are certainly created by cymbals and the like.

Frequency response limits are pretty much worthless as a spec for amps and DACs, they all should be 20 to 20k.

The big concern is the flatness of the response of the electronic links in the chain, and how the FR of the headphones matches up with your head/outer ear/ear canal shape/dimensions, which is pretty much a crap shoot--you really have to listen to a number of models to find the sonic signature that is preferable for your needs.

 

[nick_charles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sejarzo /img/forum/go_quote.gif First, you really cannot hear 5 Hz, and no music contains significant energy at that level. One could only feel a 5 Hz "sound wave", not hear it as a tone. I don't think there are many subwoofers out there that can put out meaningful energy at that level even for effects.

Loooooooooooooooow noooooooootes.......

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/goo...52/#post966093

But worrying about anything under 20 hz is a bit pointless.

 

[oldson]

cheers
that cleared up my query!
many thanks

 

[Nick 214]

"A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link"

Check the range of your music, that may be a shocker.

NK

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

DACs are rated at 20~20k because CDs only contain information from 20~20k. If you're interested in frequency response deviation in the signal path you should look into the specs of microphones, they're definitely not 20~20k, and definitely not flat.

Frequency response doesn't mean much, though, see this graph:

I think when judging the quality of a music signal, instead of frequency response it is more useful to look at distortion characteristics, but that's a whole 'nother can of worms.