The Reason Why You Can’t Hear Your Bass On Small Speakers — Bobby Owsinski’s Music Production Blog:

Most of the time the problem comes from misunderstanding exactly what frequencies affect the bass instrument. Too many times we think that it’s the frequencies below 100Hz (especially 60Hz) that provide the bass we need. While it’s quite true that those frequencies are important for what we might call the girth of the sound, they won’t reproduce well on small speakers, and that’s where the problem lies. In other words, EQing too low.

Below 100Hz Girth

120Hz to 200Hz Bottom

250Hz to 320Hz Low-end definition

700Hz Body

1kHz to 1.5kHz High-end definition

2.5kHz to 3kHz String noise/buzz

7 Tips for Mixing Bass:

In parts one, two, and three of this four-part series, we focused on using Neutron 2 for mixing vocals, mixing guitars, and mixing drums. Now, it’s time to bring on the bass, which can be a tricky bugger. Too much of it can swallow up the mix, but too little of it leaves a mix lacking power and warmth.