The Frequency Spectrum in Context
Illustration in preparation Description: Full audio spectrum 20 Hz–20 kHz on logarithmic scale with labeled regions: sub-bass (20–60 Hz), bass (60–250 Hz), upper bass/lower midrange (250–500 Hz), midrange (500–2000 Hz), upper midrange (2–4 kHz), presence (4–8 kHz), brilliance/air (8–20 kHz); instrument ranges shown as horizontal bars below the spectrum
What lives where:
| Range | Frequencies | Perception | Speaker type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-bass | 20–60 Hz | Felt more than heard; chest pressure | Subwoofer only |
| Bass | 60–160 Hz | Bass guitar, kick drum, bass weight | Subwoofer + midbass |
| Upper bass | 160–300 Hz | Bass guitar body, male voice fundamental | Midbass woofer |
| Lower midrange | 300–800 Hz | Voice clarity, piano body, guitar | Midrange driver |
| Midrange | 800–2500 Hz | Vocal presence, most instruments | Midrange driver |
| Upper midrange | 2.5–5 kHz | Consonants, attack, sibilance edge | Tweeter lower range |
| Presence | 5–10 kHz | Detail, air, "sparkle" | Tweeter |
| Brilliance | 10–20 kHz | Cymbal shimmer, reverb tails, "air" | Tweeter (if capable) |