The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

> > What I wrote about perception of sounds above 15 kHz was a bit bad
> > formulated. What I meant was that those frequencies most likely won't
> > make any noticeable difference to the listener.
> 
> OK, understood.  For the most part, I might agree.  Some "super-audio"
> frequencies may be necessary, though.  I haven't fooled around with this
> idea
> yet.

For the vast majority of listeners, frequencies above 15Khz are lost. Most
people's hearing is severely attenuated above that. However, most discerning
listeners can hear these higher frequencies -- perhaps it's why they run
around discerning in the first place. My hearing is good to 21Khz but I can
hear REALLY loud notes at 25Khz. So can you, and so can your aunt Gertie.

In fact, adding a pair of electrostatic tweeter columns can make a day/night
difference to a pair of otherwise superb speakers. Mine respond up to 42Khz
-- way beyond human hearing -- yet they add a presence that is missing in
the titanium dome tweeters that were stock equipment. Those stock guys do
very well up to 22Khz (according to a scope and a Behringer mic). Flat and
accurate, so where does all this dramatic live-ness come from with the
electrostats? I think it's sensed pressure I hear from frequencies in the
22-28Khz range. It's obvious in any A/B test.

I've noticed that if I throw HF pink noise (in the 19K+ range) into an
ambient-type sample on the Triton, eg waterfalls, it sounds more 'real'.
Even my wife hears the difference and her hearing is awful (telephones have
more range than her ears).

Don't believe what anyone tells you about what you can and can't hear.
Everyone is different and just because you can't hear as well above 15 or 16
khz, that does not mean you can't hear 17, 18, or even 25Khz sounds. They
just have to be a bit louder for you to perceive them as being as loud as
lower notes.