Acoustic room optimization

[BenWatts]

Hi everyone,

I feel particularly silly for not understanding, but I’m exhausted from not getting it and I’m reaching my limit here.

I’m diving into acoustic measurement for my room, but I’m running into some technical misunderstandings despite having the supposed relevant equipment. Here’s my current setup:

- iMac with a 2.1 Focal system
- REW
- Zoom H5 (used as a USB audio interface, powered by the Mac)
- 5m XLR cable (connecting the iMac to the central listening point)
- ECM8000 microphone

My issues:

1. Calibration
I’ve selected the Zoom H5 as the audio input in my iMac’s preferences and set it to audio interface mode. However, when calibrating at -18 dBFS in REW, I can’t reach the required sound level. How do I adjust the gain on the H5 or in REW to get a usable signal?

2. ASIO Driver
In REW, the list of audio drivers doesn’t offer ASIO. Is this a problem? How do you handle this?

3. The Measurement Principle Itself (yes, I’m embarrassed to ask these questions).
I don’t understand why the calibration sound needs to come from the iMac’s speakers (located in a corner of my living room) when I want to measure my main hi-fi system (listening point in the center of the room). I don’t get the principle at all. In my mind, it was about sending a test signal (e.g., a specific frequency from Qobuz) through my system to measure the response.

My goal is to optimize the acoustics of my room for a system that feels too intrusive and oppressive to me. After watching YouTube videos, I still don’t understand the procedure.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[abacus]

You would be better off getting rid of the mic and replacing it with a UMK-1 (More expensive but the go to for calibration) and then from within your calibration program loading the supplied mic calibration data.

When making measurements you need to remove any external sounds (No idea where you got the idea that your iMac speakers need to be on) so as not to interfere with the measurements.

Room correction is the final icing on the cake, it is not a substitute to acoustically treating your room and finding the best position for your speakers in the room.

Print out the REW instructions on calibration (Or have them on your phone or tablet) and keep them in your hand and follow them step by step.

Bill

 

[BenWatts]

Thé ECM8000 is fair enough for general measures. 22€ vs 99€ for a 10 min usage? No debate on that.

Speaker positionning have been already worked. Now, I want to measure the balance in the room to assess furniture, curtains…

 

[abacus]

Thé ECM8000 is fair enough for general measures. 22€ vs 99€ for a 10 min usage? No debate on that.

Speaker positionning have been already worked. Now, I want to measure the balance in the room to assess furniture, curtains…

You cant do room tests or calibration on the cheap (You need to have a calibrated mike for a reason), plus when you have finished, you can sell on the UMK-1 for a decent the price as it is highly regarded.

Bill

 

[BenWatts]

Not my approach. An ECM8000 is enough.
Dealing with calibration, yes I did. I am just not happy with the settings and my questions are focused on the very first steps of the process I dont understand

 

[abacus]

Not my approach. An ECM8000 is enough.
Dealing with calibration, yes I did. I am just not happy with the settings and my questions are focused on the very first steps of the process I dont understand

As I said in my 1st post: Print out the REW instructions on setup and use (Or have them on your phone or tablet), and keep them in your hand, then follow them step by step.
If you still cannot get it, then get a professional (Or see if you have a friend locally that can help) in to help or do it for you.

Bill

 

[BenWatts]

No need to reply if you don’t know. It’s okay.
Maybe my questions are not clear. Don’t feel bound to reply

 

[abacus]

As you don't seem to be interested in fixing your problem unless it is done your way, then by all means ignore my advice, (Which is just a basic guide for those who have little experience) and continue as you are.

This video and the link it provides may be more up your street , as it is more DIY then pro , which a lot of other videos use to explain and can be difficult to understand.

 

[BenWatts]

I understand you feel driven by a mission to guide others toward your vision, but unfortunately, that’s not what this is about.

My original question was simply to understand the basic principle, and of course, I’ve already carefully reviewed all the tutorials. However, I’ve expressed that I still don’t understand and I feel stupid not understanding.

You don’t have to respond. It seems you didn’t grasp my initial issue. I don’t hold it against anyone for not answering—it’s not your responsibility. Stay at peace.

Measures have been done and analysis is under scrutiny. Bass trap seems to be the solution.

The initial issue was to modify input and output from my iMac and to select R and then L speakers. I could not fix it previously.
Now it works. MMM measures are not necessary at my poor level. Just find a way to manage 60hz reverb.

 

[RoA]

Never used REW but I understand that it can be complex and that it involves a learning curve.

As to why your test signals do not come from your main speakers ... ?

My WiiM has a simple room optimizing app which works just fine (measured from listening position and through main speakers, obviously). I have a significant room bass mode which it deals with it relatively successfully as does Roon's DSP using WiiM measurements.

This leaves vinyl and CD. Unfortunately I can't compensate there and bass traps are out of question (it's a living room).

Have to add that I use room EQ very (!) sparingly and only to compensate for the one main mode under 100hz. I leave anything above that untouched as it seems detrimential to overall SQ.

Room problems can be a right a***. I hope you can sort yours out.