Simple Explanation

A muddy or boomy sound, usually in the mid-bass region.

Concise Technical Definition

An acoustic coloration typically in the 100 Hz–300 Hz range where bass frequencies are overemphasized, leading to reduced clarity and definition.

Layman-Friendly Analogy

Like listening to music through a thick pillow—there’s too much low-end and not enough detail.

Industry Usage Summary

In speaker and room evaluation, “bloat” is used to describe excessive bass that muddies the sound. It's often caused by poor room acoustics, speaker placement, or box tuning issues.

Engineering Shortcut

Bloat = excess mid-bass + reduced clarity.

Full Technical Explanation

Bloat refers to an undesirable emphasis in the mid-bass region (typically 100 Hz–300 Hz), which masks detail in vocals and instruments. This effect can result from standing waves in a room, oversized cabinet volume, or poor driver alignment, leading to a thick, uncontrolled sound signature.