Group delay measures how long it takes for different frequencies of a signal to be reproduced by a subwoofer. In simpler terms, it can reveal whether certain bass notes are arriving later than others.
When group delay is too high, bass can sound sluggish, boomy, or “laggy”, losing the precision and impact needed for both music and movies.
What’s Audible – and What’s Not
Research suggests that for bass, 1.5 sound cycles of delay are usually required before it becomes noticeable. Another benchmark is keeping group delay under 20 ms in the mid and upper bass to ensure it’s completely unnoticeable.
At very low frequencies (below ~40 Hz), our ears are far less sensitive to timing differences. Still, minimizing group delay at all frequencies results in tighter, more controlled bass.
Arendal Sound’s Time-Domain Advantage
Independent measurements of our subwoofers, such as the 1723 Subwoofer 2S, show world-class group delay performance:
Under 10 ms from 40 Hz upward, where timing precision matters most
Only crosses the strict 20 ms threshold at 25 Hz, where the delay is inaudible
Any increase in the deepest bass is due to well-controlled DSP shaping, not uncontrolled resonance
Performance is consistent across EQ modes
As one reviewer noted:
“The time-domain performance shown here is superlative, and anyone who wants a sub that isn’t laggy at all has a great choice in the 2S.”
Why This Matters
Low group delay means your subwoofer can keep up with fast bass in music while delivering deep, room-shaking power in home theater. With Arendal Sound subwoofers, you get tight, accurate, and musical bass without sacrificing extension or output.
Group Delay Diagram
Below is a comparison showing how Arendal Sound subwoofers maintain ultra-low group delay where it matters most:
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