Sub phase affecting a large frequency range

pyrocyborg
pyrocyborg Posts: 524
Hi there!

I was studying my perception and sensation course and I read that two out of phase sounds would nullify each other, so it made me wonder how would the phase switch affect my overall sound while listening to music.

So I went in and switched it back and forth with my receiver remote between "normal" and reverse phase. I noticed that for me, overall bass was better with reverse phase. However, I seem to have one drawback: as bass is more present, I lost some of my bookshelf brightness.

BTW, I have 2 polk RTI4 and a Polk PSW10 sub with a Yamaha low-end AVR. I end up with a bright sound, but it seems that switching phase tuned down some harshness but my sound is somewhat less precise and more boomy.

Is it normal that phase affect even high frequency sounds?

Thanks!
Speakers: Polk Audio LSiM 705, LSiM 703, LSiM 704c
Receiver: Denon X3500H