Quote:

My point was, in general, what would be a good rule-of-thumb cutoff to gauge a speaker's performance based on it's frequency graph? ...for a given frequency, is a 10 dB drop "a lot" or or will i still hear reasonable output at that frequency?



Blake,

The general industry standard for a comparative reference usable (flat) frequency response of speakers is +-3db (at 1 meter-on axis).

Yes, a 10db drop is a lot (usually found on the extreme, top\bottom end responses) and is generally not considered adequate acoustic output of the speaker system. It is there, but due to the higher db output of the total speaker system, it is very hard to hear and perceive. A 3db increase or decrease is where most people can detect an audible change...some are much more sensitive to as little as a 1db change. However, a 10db increase or decrease of acoustical amplitude is usually perceived as twice as loud or twice as soft. Thus, a 10db drop of a speakers end responses is "masked" by the overall higher average output of the system!

As others have stated, in-room responses, especially in the low-mid bass regions, can be reinforced by room boundaries and extend the usable frequency range of what is heard\measured! That can be good, or bad...depends on the quality and tonality of the boundary reinforcement. Electronic equalization can also "extend" the usable response of the system, but most often causes other undesirable auditory effects.

Hope this helps!

Ted

Samsung 67" DLP 1080P * 2-Axiom EP500 PSW's * Emotiva UT Series Amps * Acoutimass 15's 5.1 = WOW!