[Doublej]

For rock, pop and jazz how far down in Hz does a system need to go? Does it really need to go all the way down to 20Hz or will 25Hz, 35Hz or even 40 Hz be low enough?

I ask because I am thinking about adding subwoofer to my pair of Hsu's bookshelf speakers.

[Letitroll98]

The lowest note of a grand piano is 27.5 Hz, the lowest bass guitar note is 41.203 Hz, the lowest note on a guitar is 82.407 Hz.  This should give you an idea of what you want to shoot for. 

[medium jim]

Sub Contrabass guitars go down to 17.32hz (C# note) and might even be lower than the lowest pipe organ.

Jim

[JLM]

Consider room size/gain too.  Many professional subs purposefully only run flat to 30 Hz.  Also consider type of roll off (and sub design).  Sealed subs roll off matches well to room gain, but ported/passive radiator designs roll off more quickly.

Dinosaur foot steps go waaaay down, go HT is a whole different animal.

[kc8apf]

Sub Contrabass guitars go down to 17.32hz (C# note) and might even be lower than the lowest pipe organ.

Jim

32' ranks are fairly common on larger organs and go down to ~16Hz.  The Atlantic City Convention Hall organ has a 64' Diaphone Profunda that goes down to ~8Hz.

[medium jim]

I was being a bit over the top.  I'm certain there are several pipe organs that go below 17.32hz.  However, I don't know of any commercial subwoofer that does.

Jim

[kc8apf]

I was being a bit over the top.  I'm certain there are several pipe organs that go below 17.32hz.  However, I don't know of any commercial subwoofer that does.

Jim

No worries. I just happen to have had the rare experience of having a grandfather who owned a Wurlitzer theatre organ and had it installed in his home. For all the jokes about listening to pipe organ music, I do and I know exactly what it should sound like.

[jackman]

Do you guys really listen to pipe organ or contra guitar (whatever that is)?   Bass is an individual preference but in sure the OP would be shocked to hear what he is missing. Those little Hsu speakers look pretty cool but they would benefit from a sub, IMO. Lots of pop music has deep bass. My subs even get a workout when I play Sade or Jack Johnson. 

Bass has its challenges but once you experience good bass response, it's hard to live without it.  HT is another animal and really benefits from multiple subs.

OP - you should try a hsu sub.  They have a good return policy and a scent product line. There are so many options available including some great DIY option. Good luck.

[medium jim]

kc:

I was attended a Virgil Fox performance around 1975 where he performed Bach on his Rogers Touring Organ.   However, the real deal was when I was in Germany and heard a large pipe organ, amazing.

I know that my present system would never do it justice.

Jim

[sts9fan]

You will be perfectly happy with 40-35hz.

[Letitroll98]

You will be perfectly happy with 40-35hz.

I agree.  In the days before we all had subwoofers, a typical full range system went down to about 35-40Hz, -3db, which supplies useful output somewhat below that.  I have a couple of subs whose in room measured output is -3db at 27Hz, but I can't say I've actually heard anything from them that I didn't hear from my Snells whose -3db point is 38Hz.