Audio Systems: Lost Bass in SoundDock, rate vbr, lost bass

Question
QUESTION: My SoundDock lost its punch and bass - and was replaced by Bose. New SoundDock has after a month suffered the same fate. What is happening - I don't play it loud but I seem to be killing the subwoofer

ANSWER: What kind of music are you listening to? Have you come to the conclusion that the bass is different by listening to the same songs as when it the dock was new or are you listening to different material. What codec are you using? 128kb songs and lower will definitely have poorer resolution than higher bitrate songs. Aside from the fact that there are other settings that will effect the codec. In iTunes you have the capability of uploading many different codecs including lossless compression and wav files, which will eat up memory (translating into a smaller library on your portable). If sound quality is important you may want to consider the benefits of using higher bit rate VBR as a codec. Downloads are limited and typically are 128kb. There are newer codecs being offered at 256kb. There are sites that boast of HD quality music. They will post the type of codec they upload.

I would also check the settings of your iPod. Are you using Sound Check? Remember many times when you plug your portable into your computer it wants to update and with every update it. There will be some changes to the way it operates (post update). If you choose not to do an update, then it also could negatively effects the operation of your portable.



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QUESTION: Mostly indie rock and pop. And it is the same songs. I generally encode at 256kb. It just seems that whatever it is in a Sounddock that produces the depth and punch has stoppped working - Bose listened to my old one and replaced it, and after a month the new one is the same. I am sure they will do the same but I want to know what is happening here! Their FAQ's and website don't have that level of detail - but to be fair, the instore customer service was great


Answer
Since I don't personally listen to many consumer products, I may not be a good sounding board for this issue. I expressed my own technical instincts. My expertise is mostly in professional audio. As such we install hundreds of the pro Bose Freespace systems. They use 2 1/2" drivers and Bass modules. I have never experienced that problem in any of the commercial establishments. The music played is runs the gamut from classical, rock, jazz, hip hop.

Have you checked a sound dock with another iPod. The DAC and the amplifier of an iPod leave much to be desired.