This Fixed My Bass Problem!
May 12, 2025🎧 This Fixed My Bass Problem!
(And It Can Fix Yours Too)
If you’ve ever sat in your studio wondering why your low-end sounds muddy, hollow, or just off—you’re not alone. I used to struggle with unreliable bass response, which made mixing feel more like guesswork than art. But after diving into acoustic principles and a few practical steps, I finally fixed my bass problem—and I want to share how you can too.
Let’s break it down.
🔍 Understanding SBIR (Speaker Boundary Interference Response)
First, you need to understand the enemy: SBIR, or Speaker Boundary Interference Response. It happens when your speaker’s sound reflects off nearby surfaces—most often walls—and interferes with itself. This leads to phase issues and noticeable dips or boosts in certain frequencies, especially the bass.
Yes, pulling your monitors away from the wall might seem like the solution. But that can introduce a new problem: comb filtering. So, what's the right move?
🎛 Identifying Comb Filtering
Comb filtering occurs when direct and reflected sound waves arrive at your ears out of phase. The result? Peaks and nulls across the frequency spectrum. Some bass notes vanish, others boom unnaturally. It’s incredibly frustrating—and incredibly common.
If your mixes sound great in your studio but fall apart elsewhere, comb filtering might be the culprit.
🛠 Using Sonarworks for Room Correction
I used Sonarworks to help flatten my room response, and it made a difference. But here’s the kicker: software correction isn’t a substitute for physical treatment.
Think of Sonarworks like a polish. It’s great after the foundation—your acoustic treatment—is in place. Relying on it too early? You’re building on sand.
🎯 The Bass Hunter Technique
One of the biggest breakthroughs came from a technique I now swear by: the Bass Hunter Method.
Here’s how to do it:
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Clear everything out from your listening position.
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Place your speakers in the corners of the room (yes, temporarily).
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Sit in different spots, listen to your favorite bass-heavy reference tracks, and feel where the bass sounds most consistent.
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Based on what you hear, move the speakers gradually into position while preserving that solid low-end.
It’s old-school, ear-driven, and it works.
🧱 Adjusting Speaker Position Relative to the Wall
After finding the sweet spot using the Bass Hunter technique, I pushed the speakers closer to the wall. Why? Because minimizing the gap between the speaker and wall can reduce SBIR effects—as long as your wall is treated.
An added bonus: being near the wall naturally extends your bass response. Use it to your advantage.
🎚 Making EQ Adjustments
Now that your placement is dialed in, fine-tune with care. Use the trim controls on your monitors to adjust the low-end—not to fix the whole room, but to finesse the response. Small, smart tweaks lead to a more balanced sound.
🎧 Setting the Dry-Wet Mix Knob
Many speaker correction systems, including Sonarworks, offer a dry-wet mix. This lets you blend between your untreated and corrected sound. I found that a 60-70% wet mix, calibrated with trusted reference tracks, struck the perfect balance for me.
Don’t be afraid to experiment here. Your ears are the best tool you have.
🏠 Finalizing Room Treatment Before Calibration
Before you run that Sonarworks calibration, make sure your room is treated properly. That means:
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Bass traps in the corners.
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Absorption panels at first reflection points.
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A well-thought-out layout.
Treat the room first, then measure. You'll get a much more honest and helpful result.
🪑 Evaluating Listening Position
I used to assume that the standard equilateral triangle setup was always best—but narrowing my listening position slightly improved direct sound and reduced reflections. Your room might benefit from a similar tweak.
Don’t be afraid to adjust speaker spacing based on your room and what sounds right.
🔁 Continuous Improvement and Testing
Lastly, don’t treat this as a one-time fix. Your room, gear, and ears evolve. Keep testing, adjusting, and listening. I started keeping a log of every change I made—and it’s been invaluable for tracking progress and avoiding past mistakes.
⚠️ Cautionary Notes
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Don’t rely on software alone. Acoustic treatment is king.
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Avoid heavy EQing—it may introduce phase issues that cause more harm than good.
💡 Tips for Efficiency
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Revisit your setup every few months.
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Log your speaker settings, room tweaks, and calibration results.
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Use reference tracks you know and trust.
🎉 Conclusion
Fixing my bass issues wasn’t about buying new gear—it was about understanding my room, trusting my ears, and being methodical with every change. If you’re dealing with unclear low-end, these steps can save you the same frustration I faced.
It’s not magic. It’s science, mixed with a bit of patience and a whole lot of listening.
Want to go deeper or need help diagnosing your setup?
📅 Book Your Free Call with Wilson — and get expert advice tailored to your room.
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