Bass is a delightfully rich and deep sound that lends sensational vibrations to music and audio. It is also the lowest male singing voice. To get bass on your audio system, you’ll need to tune your subwoofer by getting it in the correct bass audio frequency range, also known as Hertz (Hz).
So, what Hz is best for bass?
For most subwoofers, the best frequency range for bass is 20–120 Hz. Simply, the lower the Hz, the more is the bass you can get. If you are looking to buy a subwoofer, you should look for anything lower than 80 Hz. This will ensure the bass sounds full and powerful.
Here’s all you need to know about the right frequencies for bass and how to achieve it on your subwoofer. Getting the correct frequencies will depend on your audio system, preferences, and audio safety limits.
What Is Hertz (Hz)?
In the context of this article, hertz, abbreviated Hz, is a frequency unit that denotes the change in cycle or state in a sound wave, measuring one cycle per second.
In scientific terms, Hz is the SI unit (standard unit of measurement) of frequency. It is also denoted as kilohertz (kHz) and is equivalent to 1000 Hz.
This frequency unit is the sound property that most defines pitch. The human ear has an audio range of 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz. These sound frequencies correspond to sound waves with wavelengths of 17 meters to 1.7 centimeters in the air at atmospheric pressure.
How Does Hz Work?
Hz (the frequency of a sound wave) is directly related to the wavelength and speed of the sound wave.
A lower Hz frequency means that the sound travels in a longer and slower sound waveform, which means it will sound lower pitch to the human ear. Similarly, a higher Hz frequency denotes that the sound wave travels in a shorter and faster waveform, which the human ear perceives as a higher pitch.
The lower the Hz frequency, the longer the sound takes to reach you; the higher the Hz frequency, the faster the sound takes to reach your ear.
You can apply this information when setting up and tuning your speakers and subwoofers to create the best listening experience. This is because specific sound ranges and devices correspond to specific frequencies.
As an example, these sounds correspond to the following frequency ranges:
- Sub-bass:20 Hz – 60 Hz
- Bass: 60 Hz – 250 Hz
- Low Mid-range: 250 Hz – 500 Hz
- Mid-range: 500 Hz – 2 kHz
- Upper Mid-range: 2 – 4 kHz
- Presence: 4 kHz – 6 kHz
- Brilliance: 6 kHz – 20kHz
As you progress through these sound frequency ranges, note that the Hz frequencies increase, resulting in a higher-pitched sound.
What Is Bass?
Bass in a vocal range or audio track between the sound frequency ranges of 20 Hz – 400 Hz. These sound frequencies are slower and longer than the higher sound frequencies, which are shorter and faster.
Bass also refers to the lowest adult male singing voice. Higher pitched vocal ranges tend to denote female singing voices. The bass sound is vital to an audio track as it lends a unique richness with its depth of sound, providing much-needed balance. It adds vibrancy and excitement as the audio track progresses.
What Hz Is Best For Bass Frequencies?
So, what is the best Hz for bass sound?
As seen above, the best Hz for bass lies in the frequency ranges of 60-250 Hz. The professionals recommend listening to bass sounds in this frequency range to avoid causing damage to your eardrums.
These sound frequencies work for most speakers and subwoofers available on the market, which should help you set up your audio system correctly once you purchase it. Setting the right bass frequencies also ensures that you do not impact the audio negatively.
For instance, too high a bass frequency can make a female singer sound male, ruining the listening experience. Most manufacturers include a recommended bass frequency range with the owner’s manual to guide you during your equipment setup.
How To Amplify Bass On An Audio Track
You may wonder why you might need to amplify bass on an audio track. Amplifying bass on an audio track helps the bass have energy throughout the track.
Increasing volume on an audio track isn’t enough to give it the energy it needs to remain engaging as it can destroy its balance.
The best way to amplify bass is to adjust the following:
Compression
Compression is a method of increasing the prominence of a particular sound without increasing its volume. By increasing the RMS value of the sound by compressing it, you make the sound more prominent in the mix.
Saturation
A saturation effect makes a sound pop in the higher frequency spectrum. This process has two separate but related steps – harmonic generation and soft-knee compression. By doing so, this subtle form of distortion adds pleasant-sounding harmonics to an audio track.
Saturation is achieved when the output no longer matches an audio signal’s output in a linear manner. Compression and saturation are used together to amplify the bass sound without making the audio mix sound unpleasant.
Add A Limiter
The final step in amplifying the bass sound is to add a limiter, with -16db as the maximum limit. You should boost it until you detect slight clipping.
These three steps – compression, saturation, and adding a limiter – make a bass sound more vibrant and prominent in a mix without distorting its balance.
Related article – How To Balance Bass And Treble
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 100 Hz Treble Or Bass?
100Hz is considered bass, not treble. Sound frequencies below 130 Hz and above 20Hz are considered bass.
Is A Lower Hz Better For Bass Sounds?
Not necessarily. It depends on the subwoofer equipment you have. In most cases, the best subwoofers can produce deep bass at a sound frequency range of 20Hz.
How Does Hz Affect Bass?
Most people believe that low sound frequency speakers produce better bass and high sound frequency speakers produce lower quality bass, but this isn’t necessarily true. When you increase the Hz, you affect the treble rather than the bass.
What Hz Is Bass On Tv?
The bass frequencies on TV lie between 60Hz and 400Hz. To amplify the bass sound on your TV, you are better off using a subwoofer.
How Can I Adjust The Bass Sound On My Equalizer?
Adjust bass on your equalizer by moving it at 100 Hz to +1db. By doing so, you add a boost in the low-end frequencies, adding more bass and vibrancy to your audio track. Working with an equalizer around 250 Hz and limiting the mid frequencies also delivers a clean and clear bass sound.
What Equalizer Setting Is Best For Bass?
To get the most out of the bass sound on an audio track on an equalizer, work with the lower audio frequency spectrum of 40 Hz to 300 Hz. Ideally, bass exists on the frequencies 60 Hz to 250 Hz.
While amplifying the higher end of the frequency spectrum may boost the bass harmonies, they won’t improve your audio track. The best way to boost your bass without ruining your audio track is to locate the key bass frequency and then boost it.
Related article – Can Speakers Damage An Amplifier
Final Thoughts
So, what Hz is best for bass sounds?
The best frequency range for bass sounds falls between 60-250 Hz. This range allows speakers to deliver the best possible deep and trembling bass sound without causing damage to your speakers (and your ears!)
Remember, your unique bass settings don’t just fall within this range universally; the bass range you will be able to play comfortably will also depend on other factors, including your audio equipment and personal preferences. Feel free to experiment with your audio equipment until you get the right bass setting for your needs.
