What is considered Mid Bass?

[slim142 9]

Quick Question

What is considered Mid Bass? To be more precise, the frequency range.

I hear this usually when people put 8"s on their doors (which I plan to do), but I would like to have clear what exact range is mid bass. Im guessing 100-200hz?

[Impious 1,476]

There is no precise frequency range. It's not like 59hz is subbass and 60hz is midbass, or 299hz is midbass and 300hz is midrange. It's not that definitive. All you'll end up hearing are opinions as everyone operates with a different definition of midbass. Some people base it on the musical content within each range; I.E. lower male vocals can extend down into the 200hz range, so they set the upper limit for midbass at 200hz. Some people base it on octaves; I.E. the lowest 2 octaves are subbass (20-80hz), the next 2 octaves are mibass (80-320hz). Some people base it on the localization cues; I.E. the frequency range where sound is localized based ITD and/or IID, etc.

I personally generally define "midbass" as being approximately (and somewhat arbitrarily) between 60hz and 400hz for the simple reason that this range generally encompasses the bandwidth that most people use "dedicated midbass drivers" due to 1) limitations of their midbass driver's capabilities and 2) limitations of their midrange driver's capabilities.

That said; Some people use their dedicated midbass drivers between 50hz and 500hz, others use them between 80hz and 300hz. How you will and should use your midbass drivers just depends on the goals for the system, the limitations of the drivers, how the speakers all integrate together, where they are being located, etc.

[slim142 9]

Well since Im not looking for SPL and Im not into 100% SQ, just want Loud & Quality if you get what I mean (Ex: I rather get a BTL than a Q)

I was planning on having 8"s on the doors and have them hit hard without having to go to frequencies that require their own enclosures or a 60Hz that would sound better played by the BTL for example.

[Impious 1,476]

An enclosure (or lack thereof) shapes the low frequency response of any driver; subwoofer, midbass, midrange, tweeters. An enclosure (or lack thereof) will therefore shape the low frequency response of any midbass driver you plan to play at midbass frequencies. How a driver will perform at midbass frequencies without an enclosure is going to depend entirely upon the design of the driver.

[smgreen20 3]

Generally it's ~100Hz to 500Hz. But he is correct, As far as I know, there is no "set in stone" range.

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

Excellent post Brad. As explained above, there is too many factors to pin point a set frequency range across the board for everyone. I have had mid-bass drivers in prior installs that had to be cut off (slope varied) as high as 70~80hz. Where as another more recent install, where I had a larger rear cavity for the drivers, lower frequency capabilities, and substantially more deadening/dampening, I was able to run down to 40~45hz with ease. If you can, and your drivers are able to, aim to get them to cross over as low as they can. This will help bring the lower frequencies forward as part of the front stage (if in system with no rear "stage"), and lessen the range of frequencies the sub woofer has to cover. As always, it takes testing and adjustments, because you don't want a harsh separation between where the mid-bass's roll off and where the sub woofer comes in (meaning dialing out any sharp peaks in output when the sub woofer come in).

[///M5 2,833]

Well since Im not looking for SPL and Im not into 100% SQ, just want Loud & Quality if you get what I mean (Ex: I rather get a BTL than a Q)

I was planning on having 8"s on the doors and have them hit hard without having to go to frequencies that require their own enclosures or a 60Hz that would sound better played by the BTL for example.

You are more likely a candidate for having your sub play frequencies that are higher. By far the easiest way to get lower midbass is to use a sub to do it, the disadvantage being it will pull your stage back. Everything in a car is a trade-off though and from your goals it sure sounds like you would benefit from playing your sub much higher than I would recommend for any SQ setup.

[slim142 9]

What I originally had in mind was having my Sub in the back play 30-80Hz, Midbass with 8inch on the doors play 80-200Hz. Components play the rest.

But like mentioned before, I might have to play around with the midbass. Didnt really think about that.

[///M5 2,833]

Your subs can do WAY more than an 8" at 80 or 100Hz.

[slim142 9]

Well the reason why I want to have that 8" in the doors is to reinforce the midbass and bring some bass to the front. But the main bass source will of course come from the back (BTL).

I like how those P2 in the tahoe front doors are located at the bottom far side. I feel like its a good idea and position to bring some kick, without taking over the mids and highs from the components.

[C3Customs 2]

Have you considered adding more power to your front stage? It will help you get more pronounced up front mid bass, it may or may not help with your missing frequencies. Better crossover points will help with the missing frequencies.