Just about everyone has come across a stereo, amplifier, or another device that allows the ability to adjust what is known as “highs,” “mids,” and “lows”. Most either know what this is referring to in general, but not everyone knows the exact details of what each of these categories include. So I was challenged to briefly put together a quick piece to dive a little deeper into each without boring you too much.
When listening to music and other sources of sound, these terms refer to the different frequency ranges of sound that are reproduced by headphones or speakers. The frequency range of sound is typically measured in hertz (Hz), and it refers to the number of times a sound wave vibrates per second.
Highs, also known as treble, refer to the high-frequency range of sound, typically between 2,000 and 20,000 Hz. This frequency range includes sounds such as the high notes of a piano or the sibilant sounds in speech, such as the “s” and “sh” sounds. The quality of the highs can affect the clarity and definition of these sounds. This is where high-resolution speakers/headphones can typically shine.
Mids, also known as midrange (and sometimes “body”), refer to the middle-frequency range of sound, typically between 200 and 2,000 Hz. This frequency range includes sounds such as the majority of speech and the majority of musical instruments. The quality of the mids can affect the overall balance and fullness of the sound. This is something that is commonly left out of many entry-level products or missing from highly-compressed audio files.
Lows, also known as bass, refer to the low-frequency range of sound, typically below 200 Hz. This frequency range includes sounds such as the low notes of a bass guitar, the kick drum in a drum set, or the rumbly explosion in a movie. The quality of the lows can affect the impact and depth of these sounds. The lower the frequency gets, the bassier it sounds. When it comes to speakers, if they aren’t “full range”, you want to fill this in with a subwoofer solution. Allowing you to get the most out of your system. Especially, if you use it for watching movies.
When listening to your favorite music (or movies, games, etc), the quality of the highs, mids, and lows can greatly affect the overall listening experience. High-quality headphones and speakers are able to reproduce all of these frequency ranges accurately, providing a balanced and full-sounding listening experience. On the other hand, poor-quality products may lack definition in the highs, lack balance in the mids, or lack impact in the lows, resulting in a less satisfying listening experience. This is where you traverse the wide path between entry-level and audiophile.
Hopefully, if you ever had any questions in regard to these frequency groupings, this would have answered them. Even if it was just briefly enough to open your mind to something a little more than just a few settings on a screen.
