Interesting subject, but one basic flaw.
“If they can sing low enough, about thirteen octaves below middle 'C,’”
Well, middle C is approximately 262 cycles per second. One octave is one half of that frequency. Thirteen octaves down would require the singers to produce a tone of 0.03 cps.
It ain’t gonna happen.
A bass singer is expected to reach the F below the bass clef, about 87 cps.
The low A on a grand piano is 27.5 cps.
Welcome to the Straight Dope Message Boards, bassbrian, glad to have you with us.
When you start a thread, it is helpful to other readers if you provide a link to the Column you are discussing. It’s on the front page now, but it will soon disappear into the depths, so the link saves lots of search time.
In this case, I presume, it’s Why isn’t there an audio equivalent of the laser?
No biggie, you’ll know for next time, and again, welcome.