Digital room correction

[DocG]

You can also use your PC as a "stand-alone automated digital room correction device" (see Auto EQ at http://mathaudio.com).

Hi Mix, and thanks for your suggestion. (welcome to the forum, btw!)

I followed the link you provided. If this works well, it's a dead bargain! But I don't see how it works exactly. The software is run on a pc and gets its input through a microphone? How does it change the sound of the hifi system then? Where does it get into the chain?

Do you use the program yourself? If so, what's your impression?

 

[DocG]

Another option, not sure of the cost: http://www.deqx.com/product-deqxmate-overview.php

UK Prices http://www.rcblogic.co.uk/s-49-room-correction-crossovers.aspx

Bill

Thanks Bill.

Those prices are for the HDP-4 & express which are a pre-amp with the room correction function built in.

The link I originally posted was for the DEQX-Mate which is the room processing only, no pre-amp as such. You would have to think that it should be cheaper given it stripped back feature set?

Just found two US sites, where the price of the DEQX Mate is set at $4500 ( :O ). I contacted DEQX to ask for a Belgian dealer (and price), but got no response yet.

Another option mentioned on one of the sites is Trinnov, a French company (never heard of them...). Not a clue on the price.

 

[DocG]

Just found two US sites, where the price of the DEQX Mate is set at $4500 ( :O ). I contacted DEQX to ask for a Belgian dealer (and price), but got no response yet.

Confirmed by DEQX's Alan Langford: The retail price of the MATE processor is US $4495.00 plus any local duty and taxes.

And no dealer for Belgium...

 

[andyjm]

Another option, not sure of the cost: http://www.deqx.com/product-deqxmate-overview.php

UK Prices http://www.rcblogic.co.uk/s-49-room-correction-crossovers.aspx

Bill

Thanks Bill.

Those prices are for the HDP-4 & express which are a pre-amp with the room correction function built in.

The link I originally posted was for the DEQX-Mate which is the room processing only, no pre-amp as such. You would have to think that it should be cheaper given it stripped back feature set?

Just found two US sites, where the price of the DEQX Mate is set at $4500 ( :O ). I contacted DEQX to ask for a Belgian dealer (and price), but got no response yet.

Another option mentioned on one of the sites is Trinnov, a French company (never heard of them...). Not a clue on the price.

10 years ago, the innovative product design was done in Mountain View, CA. Sean Adams and Slimdevices were already pushing streaming solutions, many manufacturers have still to catch up. The squeezebox range all allowed for digital room correction via a plug-in (Inguz) which pre-processed the audio bitsteam on the fly at the server before sending to the streamer. Parametric equalisation, finite impulse response filter support - for free!

I firmly believe that the torch is being passed to China. As I posted earlier, Minidsp (I am not connected in any way) are producing highly innovative product at very competitive prices from Hong Kong.

http://www.minidsp.com/products/minidsp-in-a-box/summary-table

A quick glance at their products would indicate that their range is significantly more powerful than DEQX at what appears to be 1/10 of the price.

I haven't used their processor, but their multi channel dsp crossover and poweramp is great.

 

[DocG]

As I posted earlier, Minidsp (I am not connected in any way) are producing highly innovative product at very competitive prices from Hong Kong.

http://www.minidsp.com/products/minidsp-in-a-box/summary-table

A quick glance at their products would indicate that their range is significantly more powerful than DEQX at what appears to be 1/10 of the price.

I haven't used their processor, but their multi channel dsp crossover and poweramp is great.

I had a look at their site, and one more now, and I must admit that I cannot comprehend it completely. The reviews they link to seem te confirm that you need a decent technical background to go to work with it (background which I'm lacking obviously :wall: ).

 

[Macspur]

As I posted earlier, Minidsp (I am not connected in any way) are producing highly innovative product at very competitive prices from Hong Kong.

http://www.minidsp.com/products/minidsp-in-a-box/summary-table

A quick glance at their products would indicate that their range is significantly more powerful than DEQX at what appears to be 1/10 of the price.

I haven't used their processor, but their multi channel dsp crossover and poweramp is great.

I had a look at their site, and one more now, and I must admit that I cannot comprehend it completely. The reviews they link to seem te confirm that you need a decent technical background to go to work with it (background which I'm lacking obviously :wall: ).

You're not alone... took a look myself and was quite lost!

If I were to still be after a solution, I think I would settle on the Antimode.

Mac

 

[Mix]

I followed the link you provided. If this works well, it's a dead bargain! But I don't see how it works exactly. The software is run on a pc and gets its input through a microphone? How does it change the sound of the hifi system then? Where does it get into the chain?

Do you use the program yourself? If so, what's your impression?

It works very well for me. I equalize only a "sweat spot" around my chair. When I switch the room correction off I feel that I lose more than a half of the sound image.

The source of the audio signal must be connected to the linear audio input of the PC. The linear output of the PC must be connected to the input of the audio apmlifier. Besides that, the following things are necessary:

- Measurement microphone

- Microphone preamp

- DAW (I use Reaper)

- Auto EQ VST

It is also necessary to invest some time to learn Reaper and Auto EQ.

 

[DocG]

OK, time for an interim score. I got 11 (eleven!) suggestions so far!

- Lyngdorf, Accuphase & mcIntosh: too expensive

- Trinnov: no response yet, but looks rather expensive too

- Mathaudio & minidsp: too complicated for this simple mind

- XTZ: just analysis, no action

- DEQX (mate and HDP4): out of reach: expensive and 3-hour drive for a demo...

- Behringer Ultracurve & KRK ERGO: look good on paper, competitively priced (320 and 430 EUR respectively), but NO demo possible

- AntiMode: good features, acceptable price ticket, dealer nearby, demo possible. So that's where I'm heading first!

More suggestions still welcome!

 

[Neuphonix]

http://www.rivesaudio.com/PARC/PARCframe.html

Another one that will probably be to expensive, pretty sure its similar in pricing to the accuphase/macintosh.

One thisng that was mentioned over on Mac's digital room correction thread was that you must do absolutley everything possible to get speaker placement / room correction as good as possible before any room optimisation is applied.

Otherwise you may end up deadenig the sound rather than improving it.

I would say give the berringer a miss for sure. Good price if you just want to experiement, but.......

Looks to me like the anitmode is the best VFM option as well. I'm thinking about trying one, but my subs already have an ARO funtion built in so I'm thinking it might not be necessary.

 

[andyjm]

I would say give the berringer a miss for sure. Good price if you just want to experiement, but.......

I wouldn't knock Behringer, they make excellent quality products at a competitive price. They are highly regarded and aimed mainly at the pro-audio market which doesn't tolerate 'audiofool' markups.

The Behringer measurement mic is the workhorse of the room correction world. Like most pro mics it is phantom powered, but it is very good value for money. If you are serious about room correction, I would recommend it.

http://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Computers/Behringer-ECM8000-Measurement-Mic/2H6

The response of the mic is pretty flat out of the box, but there are correction curves available on the net for the popular room equalistaion software packages.

 

[andyjm]

As I posted earlier, Minidsp (I am not connected in any way) are producing highly innovative product at very competitive prices from Hong Kong.

http://www.minidsp.com/products/minidsp-in-a-box/summary-table

A quick glance at their products would indicate that their range is significantly more powerful than DEQX at what appears to be 1/10 of the price.

I haven't used their processor, but their multi channel dsp crossover and poweramp is great.

I had a look at their site, and one more now, and I must admit that I cannot comprehend it completely. The reviews they link to seem te confirm that you need a decent technical background to go to work with it (background which I'm lacking obviously :wall: ).

Doc,

The Minidsp products do require some technical background, but the on line forum and on line help are pretty good for beginners.

The box I linked to is a general purpose audio processor. It has a series of inputs (analogue and digital), a powerful DSP processor, and a series of outputs (analogue and digital). You set the box up using a PC and USB link.

Depending on what software modules you load and how you connect it, the box can perform a number of different tasks. Multi channel room correction, multi channel active crossover, multi driver crossover for stereo.

If you are looking for a simple plug and play solution, then this isn't for you, but as you get into it room correction you may find its flexibilty useful. You can upload correction files directly from REW (room equalisation wizard), which if you haven't downloaded (if only to play with) you should.

http://www.hometheatershack.com/roomeq/index.html

Good luck.

 

[DocG]

http://www.rivesaudio.com/PARC/PARCframe.html

Another one that will probably be to expensive, pretty sure its similar in pricing to the accuphase/macintosh.

it's USD 4000 (as mentioned on the site). Looks like a lot of money for a 10+ year old, completely analogue device (phase issues?).

One thing that was mentioned over on Mac's digital room correction thread was that you must do absolutley everything possible to get speaker placement / room correction as good as possible before any room optimisation is applied.

i must have missed this thread... Can you give a link? Thanx.

 

[Neuphonix]

I would say give the berringer a miss for sure. Good price if you just want to experiement, but.......

I wouldn't knock Behringer, they make excellent quality products at a competitive price. They are highly regarded and aimed mainly at the pro-audio market which doesn't tolerate 'audiofool' markups.

The Behringer measurement mic is the workhorse of the room correction world. Like most pro mics it is phantom powered, but it is very good value for money. If you are serious about room correction, I would recommend it.

http://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Computers/Behringer-ECM8000-Measurement-Mic/2H6

The response of the mic is pretty flat out of the box, but there are correction curves available on the net for the popular room equalistaion software packages.

I didn't mean to speak too badly about behringer, but I have to say I've heard mixed reviews about their gear.

When I was hunting around for crossover options I did consider one of theirs, the price was attractive. The digital verison also had time delay feature for phase correction which would have been useful. I managed to find an online store that upgraded them which looked fun, can't seem to find it now.

In the end I felt that plugging a low cost crossover into the chain with my amp just wouldnt be doing it justice. I guess its all relative & I managed to pick up a Bryston second hand for a great price.

BTW I also have one the the behringer mics for use with my RTA software, it works fine.

 

[Macspur]

http://www.rivesaudio.com/PARC/PARCframe.html

Another one that will probably be to expensive, pretty sure its similar in pricing to the accuphase/macintosh.

it's USD 4000 (as mentioned on the site). Looks like a lot of money for a 10+ year old, completely analogue device (phase issues?).

One thing that was mentioned over on Mac's digital room correction thread was that you must do absolutley everything possible to get speaker placement / room correction as good as possible before any room optimisation is applied.

i must have missed this thread... Can you give a link? Thanx.

http://www.whathifi.com/forum/hi-fi/digital-room-correction

 

[Neuphonix]

[/quote]

it's USD 4000 (as mentioned on the site). Looks like a lot of money for a 10+ year old, completely analogue device (phase issues?).

One thing that was mentioned over on Mac's digital room correction thread was that you must do absolutley everything possible to get speaker placement / room correction as good as possible before any room optimisation is applied.

i must have missed this thread... Can you give a link? Thanx.

[/quote]

I did see one going second hand on Audiogon, but yes it is expensive. Not 100% sure but I don't think that they are made anymore.

Of course there is always the Audyssey option as well: http://www.audyssey.com/audio-technology/multeq

Most of the reading that I've done on these has been to do with EQing my subs, not so much with a view to the fronts. As I mentioned previously I've been chatting with one of the guys from JL who wrote this article: http://www.soundoctor.com/whitepapers/subs.htm#2SUBS

He's very technical so it's been a learning experience. He does recomend the Anitmode says it is very effective, but that the DEQX is better. Again though unless you have a bottomless pit of money, its hard to go past the antimode for VFM.

Another product that he seems to be very enthusiastic about is the Aphex exciter: http://www.soundoctor.com/aphex.htm

David from frank Harvey is quite helpful & seems to keep an eye out here. I'm sure if you put up any questions specifically to him he'll chip in. Seems to have some experience with the anitmode & spoke highly of it.

 

[DocG]

Of course there is always the Audyssey option as well: http://www.audyssey.com/audio-technology/multeq

But always built into av amps (Marantz, Denon, even McIntosh apparently)?

Another product that he seems to be very enthusiastic about is the Aphex exciter: http://www.soundoctor.com/aphex.htm

Has a high "black box"-factor. I cannot see how it does what it does. Looks all analogue anyway. But I'll see if I can proof the pudding