Audyssey-like Dynamic EQ without an AVR?

[rnd]

Hello everyone - in my first post here, I'd like to thank you all for this forum!

My main listening space has a 2.1 setup with an Audyssey XT32 capable AVR. It does a real good job with bass management, and there is the bass-happy smile on my face regardless of which volume I'm listening at, thanks to Dynamic EQ.

Not so much in my home office. I have a pair of 7" active monitors on my desk. The small room has an odd shape and a horrible room modes, the bass part of the frequency response chart looks like a dying pine forest. I dialed in some guesstimated EQ using software on my laptop (supports 3 parametric peaking EQ) and it doesn't bother me so much anymore. The bass is almost decent.

Today I brought the AVR to the office, connected pre-outs to the monitors and ran through Audyssey, then played some music. OMG I can have decent bass here! It's a night and day, plus it sounds correct at all volumes.

Now.. the AVR is 1500 EUR and the speakers in my office are 400.. I can solve the "static" EQ to get me close, with a Qudelix-5k and maybe exported PEQ from Audyssey. That will cost me 150 EUR, which is proportional.

But how about Dynamic EQ? I can think of 4 solutions:

1. use 3 presets on Qudelix-5k and choose my soft-medium-loud preset based on input volume (inconvenient)
2. send a feature request to Qudelix and hope for the best
3. drill a hole through a wall to the room where the AVR is, connect my office monitors to zone 2 pre-outs on the AVR, calibrate zone 2, then play music through the AVR. Zone 1 if I'm in main listening space, zone 2 if I'm in the office. This is really tempting
4. buy some sort of a Dynamic EQ volume knob that I can plug between the DAC and the monitors. Does anything exist that doesn't cost more than my speakers?

What do you all do?

// edit: my solution at https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...dynamic-eq-without-an-avr.36838/#post-1304496

 

[Prana Ferox]

What you're asking for is variable loudness: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...on-curve-do-any-speakers-adapt-to-this.10949/

How to get that in the signal chain for your Qudelix, I'm not sure, but it does not require an AVR on your workdesk.

 

[AdamG]

Hello everyone - in my first post here, I'd like to thank you all for this forum!

My main listening space has a 2.1 setup with an Audyssey XT32 capable AVR. It does a real good job with bass management, and there is the bass-happy smile on my face regardless of which volume I'm listening at, thanks to Dynamic EQ.

Not so much in my home office. I have a pair of 7" active monitors on my desk. The small room has an odd shape and a horrible room modes, the bass part of the frequency response chart looks like a dying pine forest. I dialed in some guesstimated EQ using software on my laptop (supports 3 parametric peaking EQ) and it doesn't bother me so much anymore. The bass is almost decent.

Today I brought the AVR to the office, connected pre-outs to the monitors and ran through Audyssey, then played some music. OMG I can have decent bass here! It's a night and day, plus it sounds correct at all volumes.

Now.. the AVR is 1500 EUR and the speakers in my office are 400.. I can solve the "static" EQ to get me close, with a Qudelix-5k and maybe exported PEQ from Audyssey. That will cost me 150 EUR, which is proportional.

But how about Dynamic EQ? I can think of 4 solutions:

1. use 3 presets on Qudelix-5k and choose my soft-medium-loud preset based on input volume (inconvenient)
2. send a feature request to Qudelix and hope for the best
3. drill a hole through a wall to the room where the AVR is, connect my office monitors to zone 2 pre-outs on the AVR, calibrate zone 2, then play music through the AVR. Zone 1 if I'm in main listening space, zone 2 if I'm in the office. This is really tempting
4. buy some sort of a Dynamic EQ volume knob that I can plug between the DAC and the monitors. Does anything exist that doesn't cost more than my speakers?

What do you all do?

I believe there is a way to capture the eq settings for each channel set by Audyssey. Run Audyssey and then go to setup menu, then Speakers, then Audyssey Setup, then Check Results, then Equilizers. A pop up will appear. Select what EQ set you want to view (Reference or Flat). Then use your phone to take a screenshot of each channel. You can then use this graphic representation to set eq with another device like a Qudelix. The only problem is the Qudelix only does eq to both channels. But I think with some tweaking you can get a close and acceptable result. Good luck. Screenshots of example EQ from my Denon.

 

[rnd]

What you're asking for is variable loudness

Ah thank you - now I know what I'm searching for! Some small device that has loudness knob of this sort. I'll go through the thread and take a look at what's out there.

Run Audyssey and then go to setup menu, then Speakers, then Audyssey Setup, then Check Results, then Equilizers. A pop up will appear. Select what EQ set you want to view (Reference or Flat). Then use your phone to take a screenshot of each channel.

This is super helpful! I've been running the AVR without a screen, I don't think I'd discover this if you hadn't mentioned it. I was able to find take a photo as you described - thank you.

 

[AdamG]

Ah thank you - now I know what I'm searching for! Some small device that has loudness knob of this sort. I'll go through the thread and take a look at what's out there.

This is super helpful! I've been running the AVR without a screen, I don't think I'd discover this if you hadn't mentioned it. I was able to find take a photo as you described - thank you.

You are very welcome! Oh and Welcome Aboard the ASR Train. Thank you for support and donation.

 

[rnd]

For my later reference..

The expensive:
- ADI-2 DAC looks real nice but with a $1000 price tag, mentioned here https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...eakers-adapt-to-this.10949/page-9#post-617193 available here https://www.amazon.com/RME-DAC-FS-Ultra-Fidelity-Headphones/dp/B08DVCWQJT . No BT but could live without it.

The DIY:
- https://moodeaudio.org/ software for a Raspberry Pi that has loudness control as mentioned here https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...akers-adapt-to-this.10949/page-10#post-766330
- there's pre-made boards like this https://jimsaudio.com/passive-stereo-tone-control-w-loudness-button-assembled-low-distortion/ (also on ebay) that claim to have a variable loudness knob but the characteristics are unknown. And this https://jimsaudio.com/low-noise-tone-control-preamplifier-with-loudness-control-stereo-assembled/ as a pre-amp. Or this http://kit-amp.com/alps-rk27-volume-control-loudness-en
- (semi-successful?) attempt to copy old Yamaha loudness control https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/diy-variable-loudness.519953/#post-10344409 . Also here another thread that includes schema from another Yamaha https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...and-the-loudness-control.215141/#post-3072226
- this schema http://diyaudioprojects.com/mirror/members.aol.com/sbench/freqres3.html but the resulting charts look horrible
- schemas like this one using a center-tapped or 40%-tapped potenciometer like receivers used to do in the old days https://www.circuits-diy.com/simple-audio-loudness-control-circuit/ again, no charts

The software based:
- CamillaDSP https://github.com/HEnquist/camilladsp mentioned here https://www.audiosciencereview.com/.../how-to-implement-loudness.27946/#post-967885
- Equalizer APO (Windows only) mentioned here https://www.audiosciencereview.com/.../how-to-implement-loudness.27946/#post-986030
- Linux Studio Plugin https://lsp-plug.in/?page=manuals&section=loud_comp_stereo mentioned here https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...eakers-adapt-to-this.10949/page-6#post-458678
- various plugins for music players eg Foobar2000

The used:
- various older Yamaha receivers
- Chase Remote Line Controller RLC-1 as mentioned here https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2216808 could be had for around $100

The clunky:
- ZonePRO products that have AutoWarmth feature https://dbxpro.com/en/products/641 looks cumbersome though. Mentioned here https://www.audiosciencereview.com/.../how-to-implement-loudness.27946/#post-998090

The ridiculous
- http://www.deliciousdecibels.com/the-delicious-one.html - this is roughly what I was looking for, but not for $695

General discussion
- https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/best-loudness-button-youve-heard.652874/

And for completeness, these curves look about right far as what I'd like to have. Especially the low freq, the high doesn't bother me as much.

 

[AdamG]

For my later reference..

The expensive:
- ADI-2 DAC looks real nice but with a $1000 price tag, mentioned here https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...eakers-adapt-to-this.10949/page-9#post-617193 available here https://www.amazon.com/RME-DAC-FS-Ultra-Fidelity-Headphones/dp/B08DVCWQJT . No BT but could live without it.

The DIY:
- https://moodeaudio.org/ software for a Raspberry Pi that has loudness control as mentioned here https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...akers-adapt-to-this.10949/page-10#post-766330
- there's pre-made boards like this https://jimsaudio.com/passive-stereo-tone-control-w-loudness-button-assembled-low-distortion/ (also on ebay) that claim to have a variable loudness knob but the characteristics are unknown. And this https://jimsaudio.com/low-noise-tone-control-preamplifier-with-loudness-control-stereo-assembled/ as a pre-amp
- (semi-successful?) attempt to copy old Yamaha loudness control https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/diy-variable-loudness.519953/#post-10344409 . Also here another thread that includes schema from another Yamaha https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...and-the-loudness-control.215141/#post-3072226
- this schema http://diyaudioprojects.com/mirror/members.aol.com/sbench/freqres3.html but the resulting charts look horrible

The software based:
- CamillaDSP https://github.com/HEnquist/camilladsp mentioned here https://www.audiosciencereview.com/.../how-to-implement-loudness.27946/#post-967885
- Equalizer APO (Windows only) mentioned here https://www.audiosciencereview.com/.../how-to-implement-loudness.27946/#post-986030
- Linux Studio Plugin https://lsp-plug.in/?page=manuals&section=loud_comp_stereo mentioned here https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...eakers-adapt-to-this.10949/page-6#post-458678
- various plugins for music players eg Foobar2000

The used:
- various older Yamaha receivers
- Chase Remote Line Controller RLC-1 as mentioned here https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2216808 could be had for around $100

The clunky:
- ZonePRO products that have AutoWarmth feature https://dbxpro.com/en/products/641 looks cumbersome though. Mentioned here https://www.audiosciencereview.com/.../how-to-implement-loudness.27946/#post-998090

The ridiculous
- http://www.deliciousdecibels.com/the-delicious-one.html - this is roughly what I was looking for, but not for $695

General discussion
- https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/best-loudness-button-youve-heard.652874/

And for completeness, these curves look about right far as what I'd like to have. Especially the low freq, the high doesn't bother me as much.

Here are two Multi-channel DACs tested by Amir. They may or may not be something suitable for your needs:

Review and Measurements of Okto DAC8 8Ch DAC & Amp

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Okto Research DAC8 8-channel DAC and headphone amplifier. I was sent a prototype unit for measurements. From my understanding, the company has been producing the internal DAC module for a while for the DIY market. But now are building complete...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Topping DM7 8-Channel DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping DM7 8-channel balanced USB DAC. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $599. The DM7 is simplicity in itself as you can tell from its rear terminals: USB input is the only one provided which is just fine with me. And seems...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[rnd]

AliExpress picks...

12.32US $ 30% OFF|AIYIMA Audio Premplifier Stereo Volume Controller Music Control Board for Audio Volume Adjuster with RCA Jack 3.5 mm Output 1pc|Amplifier| - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

44.1US $ 10% OFF|50K Passive HiFi level lossless balance equal loudness volume control pre amplifier| | - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

22.32US $ 5% OFF|Original Japan Alps Rk27 Rh2702 Loudness Control Potentiometer Volume Switch Board For Hifi Audio Amplifier Preamplifier System - Home Theater Amplifiers - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

30.6US $ 10% OFF|Equal Loudness Alps Resistance Stepping Type Rh27b 100k Volume Potentiometer High Precision Passive Amplifier Volume Controller - Home Theater Amplifiers - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

I could buy all of them and it'd still cost less than any of the other solutions it may be worth a try, before looking at more expensive gadgets.

 

[rnd]

Here are two Multi-channel DACs tested by Amir. They may or may not be something suitable for your needs:

Review and Measurements of Okto DAC8 8Ch DAC & Amp

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Okto Research DAC8 8-channel DAC and headphone amplifier. I was sent a prototype unit for measurements. From my understanding, the company has been producing the internal DAC module for a while for the DIY market. But now are building complete...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Topping DM7 8-Channel DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping DM7 8-channel balanced USB DAC. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $599. The DM7 is simplicity in itself as you can tell from its rear terminals: USB input is the only one provided which is just fine with me. And seems...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Unfortunately no loudness function, although maybe it could be programmed - hard to say. For 400 EUR speakers, these are quite expensive too.

 

[rnd]

Regarding EQ, I took your advice to try to replicate the results from Audyssey. These are per-channel but I need to average them out to a single setting for both channels to import into my EQ.

Here's the photo of L and R from Audyssey, layered over top of one another with some grid added for readability. The green marks are the average I guesstimate, but these being decibels, I suppose I can't just average them out linearly?

For example at 63hz there is a -1db on one channel, and -6db on other. Do I just call this -3.5db for both channels or do I use some non-linear approach?

 

[rnd]

This is obviously not my area, but.. suppose target is 90db, and we:

1. measured L=96db, R=91db. Combines to about 96db. So in this case, I need -6db.
2. measured L=89d, R=84db. Combines to 89db. In this case, I need +1db

So in the above chart, below 0db will ± follow larger correction, and above 0db will ± follow smaller correction of the two channels, to make approximate combined correction, at least that's what I figure.

Edit: forgot when one is corrected up and the other one down. Say L=89db, R=92db measured. Combines to 92db, need -2db. So when the channels are corrected in opposite direction, choose the downward correction.

Edit 2: something like this, maybe.

Edit 3: I did something to that effect, like this:

REW EQ:

My question: I had to do all of the EQ settings in REW with a negative value compared to what I expected. So if I wanted to a gain, I had to enter a negative decibel value and vice versa. Should I reverse them all to actually have the desired effect? Here are the values:

Filter Settings file

Room EQ V5.20.9
Dated: Aug 28, 2022 11:15:44 AM

Notes:office adam combined eq from denon

Equaliser: Generic
No measurement
Filter  1: ON  PK       Fc   45.00 Hz  Gain  -0.50 dB  Q  2.000
Filter  2: ON  PK       Fc   60.00 Hz  Gain  -3.90 dB  Q  7.000
Filter  3: ON  PK       Fc   66.90 Hz  Gain   8.30 dB  Q  9.000
Filter  4: ON  PK       Fc   75.00 Hz  Gain  -1.50 dB  Q  6.000
Filter  5: ON  PK       Fc   90.00 Hz  Gain  -1.60 dB  Q  4.000
Filter  6: ON  PK       Fc   104.0 Hz  Gain  -7.00 dB  Q 10.000
Filter  7: ON  PK       Fc   130.0 Hz  Gain  12.80 dB  Q 10.000
Filter  8: ON  PK       Fc   170.0 Hz  Gain  -5.70 dB  Q  6.000
Filter  9: ON  PK       Fc   185.0 Hz  Gain   7.40 dB  Q 10.000
Filter 10: ON  PK       Fc   205.0 Hz  Gain  -1.40 dB  Q  7.000
Filter 11: ON  PK       Fc   300.0 Hz  Gain   4.80 dB  Q  1.000
Filter 12: ON  PK       Fc   226.0 Hz  Gain   1.50 dB  Q  5.000
Filter 13: ON  PK       Fc   264.0 Hz  Gain  -1.90 dB  Q  6.000
Filter 14: ON  PK       Fc   370.0 Hz  Gain  -2.20 dB  Q  6.000
Filter 15: ON  PK       Fc   420.0 Hz  Gain   0.80 dB  Q  4.000
Filter 16: ON  None   
Filter 17: ON  PK       Fc   700.0 Hz  Gain  -2.00 dB  Q  2.000
Filter 18: ON  PK       Fc   653.0 Hz  Gain  -2.00 dB  Q  8.000
Filter 19: ON  PK       Fc   750.0 Hz  Gain   0.80 dB  Q  8.000
Filter 20: ON  PK       Fc   826.0 Hz  Gain  -1.30 dB  Q  7.000
Filter 21: ON  None   
Filter 25: ON  None

It looks to me like I'm doing the opposite of what I want - maybe I don't understand what the chart actually rendered.

 

[rnd]

Here are opposite values for comparison. Chart looks reverted to my eyes but values seem correct this way?

Filter Settings file

Room EQ V5.20.9
Dated: Aug 28, 2022 11:24:40 AM

Notes:Notes:office adam combined eq from denon - values hopefully correctly reversed

Equaliser: Generic
No measurement
Filter  1: ON  PK       Fc   45.00 Hz  Gain   0.50 dB  Q  2.000
Filter  2: ON  PK       Fc   60.00 Hz  Gain   3.90 dB  Q  7.000
Filter  3: ON  PK       Fc   66.90 Hz  Gain  -8.30 dB  Q  9.000
Filter  4: ON  PK       Fc   75.00 Hz  Gain   1.50 dB  Q  6.000
Filter  5: ON  PK       Fc   90.00 Hz  Gain   1.60 dB  Q  4.000
Filter  6: ON  PK       Fc   104.0 Hz  Gain   7.00 dB  Q 10.000
Filter  7: ON  PK       Fc   130.0 Hz  Gain -12.80 dB  Q 10.000
Filter  8: ON  PK       Fc   170.0 Hz  Gain   5.70 dB  Q  6.000
Filter  9: ON  PK       Fc   185.0 Hz  Gain  -7.40 dB  Q 10.000
Filter 10: ON  PK       Fc   205.0 Hz  Gain   1.40 dB  Q  7.000
Filter 11: ON  PK       Fc   300.0 Hz  Gain  -4.80 dB  Q  1.000
Filter 12: ON  PK       Fc   226.0 Hz  Gain  -1.50 dB  Q  5.000
Filter 13: ON  PK       Fc   264.0 Hz  Gain   1.90 dB  Q  6.000
Filter 14: ON  PK       Fc   370.0 Hz  Gain   2.20 dB  Q  6.000
Filter 15: ON  PK       Fc   420.0 Hz  Gain  -0.80 dB  Q  4.000
Filter 16: ON  None 
Filter 17: ON  PK       Fc   700.0 Hz  Gain   2.00 dB  Q  2.000
Filter 18: ON  PK       Fc   653.0 Hz  Gain   2.00 dB  Q  8.000
Filter 19: ON  PK       Fc   750.0 Hz  Gain  -0.80 dB  Q  8.000
Filter 20: ON  PK       Fc   826.0 Hz  Gain   1.30 dB  Q  7.000
Filter 21: ON  None 
Filter 25: ON  None

 

[AdamG]

Here are opposite values for comparison. Chart looks reverted to my eyes but values seem correct this way?

View attachment 227150

Filter Settings file

Room EQ V5.20.9
Dated: Aug 28, 2022 11:24:40 AM

Notes:Notes:office adam combined eq from denon - values hopefully correctly reversed

Equaliser: Generic
No measurement
Filter  1: ON  PK       Fc   45.00 Hz  Gain   0.50 dB  Q  2.000
Filter  2: ON  PK       Fc   60.00 Hz  Gain   3.90 dB  Q  7.000
Filter  3: ON  PK       Fc   66.90 Hz  Gain  -8.30 dB  Q  9.000
Filter  4: ON  PK       Fc   75.00 Hz  Gain   1.50 dB  Q  6.000
Filter  5: ON  PK       Fc   90.00 Hz  Gain   1.60 dB  Q  4.000
Filter  6: ON  PK       Fc   104.0 Hz  Gain   7.00 dB  Q 10.000
Filter  7: ON  PK       Fc   130.0 Hz  Gain -12.80 dB  Q 10.000
Filter  8: ON  PK       Fc   170.0 Hz  Gain   5.70 dB  Q  6.000
Filter  9: ON  PK       Fc   185.0 Hz  Gain  -7.40 dB  Q 10.000
Filter 10: ON  PK       Fc   205.0 Hz  Gain   1.40 dB  Q  7.000
Filter 11: ON  PK       Fc   300.0 Hz  Gain  -4.80 dB  Q  1.000
Filter 12: ON  PK       Fc   226.0 Hz  Gain  -1.50 dB  Q  5.000
Filter 13: ON  PK       Fc   264.0 Hz  Gain   1.90 dB  Q  6.000
Filter 14: ON  PK       Fc   370.0 Hz  Gain   2.20 dB  Q  6.000
Filter 15: ON  PK       Fc   420.0 Hz  Gain  -0.80 dB  Q  4.000
Filter 16: ON  None
Filter 17: ON  PK       Fc   700.0 Hz  Gain   2.00 dB  Q  2.000
Filter 18: ON  PK       Fc   653.0 Hz  Gain   2.00 dB  Q  8.000
Filter 19: ON  PK       Fc   750.0 Hz  Gain  -0.80 dB  Q  8.000
Filter 20: ON  PK       Fc   826.0 Hz  Gain   1.30 dB  Q  7.000
Filter 21: ON  None
Filter 25: ON  None

Hi rnd,

At the moment I made this suggestion I started thinking about how to take the Audyssey Eq results for multiple channels and apply that to a single eq formula? First let me state unequivocally that this is all above my knowledge level. So, I’m just spitballing here.

My first approach would be to use an average of the 2 front left and right speakers. Then listen and see if it’s good enough. If not, I would start by pulling down any big peaks. When using eq it’s always best to tame peaks as you are removing power and this can help fill in the valleys just by reducing the peaks. Then I would use very small adjustments to the dips. Adding just a little in the critical areas of the most important range. To me that is going to be between 20 hz and 8000 hz. Most music falls between 50hz and 5000 hz. Not all but most. If you can get all the peaks managed that might be enough to fix your problems. Write down the value of your largest boost and put a sticky with this written on it near your master volume knob. To help you remember that you have this boost and to keep it in mind as you turn up the volume. This is going to be an experiment with you tweaking as you listen. It might take hours and it might take weeks to finally find a suitable solution here.

So your approach seems solid and pretty much how I would do it myself. Taming all the peaks is the first priority. Removing power from these frequencies is free in regards to amp power reserve. Then slowly start adjusting some of the biggest valleys, starting at the average of both Audyssey plots. I would keep any boost below + 6-7 db. I think this will be the best and safest approach. Remember your goal here is good sound and try not to chase perfection. I wish I had better advice for you here. Good luck and enjoy the journey. Remember to stop and listen to music along the way and try not to obsess over getting it perfect.

 

[rnd]

Remember to stop and listen to music along the way and try not to obsess over getting it perfect.

That is the most important thank you for the advice above, will do.

I'm waiting for the Qudelix 5K to come, and also bought this https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001520157389.html for $15 shipped to try. My PC has a stereo line-in, I suppose I should be able to measure the response by of this loudness knob with REW by connecting pc stereo out -> knob -> pc stereo line in with simple 3.5mm jack cables. To see how it alters frequency response as I turn the knob.

 

[AdamG]

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001520157389.html for $15 shipped to try

I’m going to take a wild ass guess that this device will just introduce large amounts of distortion. If you want to know for certain send it to @amirm so he can put it on the Test Bench and do some measurements to determine exactly what this device will do. But, I’m sticking to my original guess that nothing good will result by putting this in your audio reproduction chain. I wish I could say otherwise, cause I know that this is not what you want to hear. After all this is Audio Science Research.

 

[rnd]

I’m going to take a wild ass guess that this device will just introduce large amounts of distortion.

I would not expect anything less but if luck has it that it turns out ok, I'll happily send one to amirm for measurement.

 

[rnd]

Someone's measurement of Dynamic EQ curves on a Denon (source https://www.avsforum.com/threads/se...ynamic-eq-to-on-or-off.3206488/#post-60865494):

I've been perusing the Qudelix app which allows you to browse it without connected device. I've tried the one on iOS and also a chrome web extension. It allows 10 paremetric eq filters, which you can set as one of 20 presets:

Therefore one software approach that would work for all sources would be to set up many presets with different gains (-3, -6, -9, -12, ... db) and also different characteristics, similar to the denon curves above. 9 filters would be used for my original EQ, and one filter for the bass compensation for low volume.

Something like this:

• 0db gain, room curve
• -5db gain, room curve, +2db bass
• -10db gain, room curve, +4db bass
• -15db gain, room curve, +6db bass
• -20db gain, room curve, +8db bass
• -25db gain, room curve, +11db bass
• -30db gain, room curve, +14db bass
• -35db gain, room curve, +16db bass
• -40db gain, room curve, +18db bass
• -45db gain, room curve, +19db bass
• -50db gain, room curve, +20db bass
• -55db gain, room curve, +21db bass
• -60db gain, room curve, +22db bass

That's 13 presets. Somewhat inconvenient to change volume, but it may track Dynamic EQ pretty well, ignoring the highs.

Would be real nice if Qudelix had it as a built-in feature. They already have a "maximum volume" feature. That could be used for a flat loudness curve, and any volume you set below that could be appropriately adjusted.

 

[rnd]

If anyone stumbles into this and is considering the Qudelix 5k for Dynamic EQ (increase bass relatively as you decrease volume) and room correction in combination with active speakers, I can recommend it.

My setup and settings are the following:

• Input interface: USB or bluetooth, either works well
• Laptop volume (linux, or iPhone) 100% on all sliders (playback app as well as system)
• Qudelix settings -> Volume -> source volume should reflect 100%
• Qudelix settings -> Volume -> 5k volume +6dB (1.995V RMS)
• active speakers input: unbalanced RCA -10dBV (0.316mV RMS) though doesn't clip at much higher inputs either. If it did, reduce output volume in Qudelix settings.
• active speakers volume knob: 0dB
• Qudelix settings -> DSP -> DSP -> ENABLE, EQ TYPE: PEQ, HEADROOM: -12 dB
• Qudelix settings -> DSP -> set your room correction with 9 of 10 available filters. There is a "PRE GAIN(dB)" setting on each preset, which adds up together with the global "HEADROOM" seting that works across presets. So for my example, my room EQ needs a -6 dB actual headroom, my global headroom is -12 dB, and that leaves me with +6 dB pre-gain on my first preset. If you follow the same as me, you can use exact numbers below to have something to start with. Save this in place of "Custom #1" preset (on mobile, it's not intuitive how to save at first: tap the chart, then preset names show up, then tap and hold the preset you want to overwrite, then give it a name. More intuitive in the chrome extension). I named the first preset simply "0 dB".
• Ensure you are happy with this room correction, as we'll be creating 10 many similar presets and changing them all later is a pain. So if you want to re-measure your room, or do more EQ tweaks before we do Dynamic EQ, now is the time.
• Modify this "0 dB" preset by adding a 10th filter "HSHELF" "30 Hz" "0 dB" "0.3 Q". This filter does nothing with a 0 dB gain: our "0 dB" preset will not have any bass boost, but we've added it so that we don't have to re-enter it for all of the following presets.
• Save this preset, and then save it 9 more times for 10 presets total, named -6 dB, -11 dB, -16 dB, -21 dB, -26 dB, -31 dB, -36 dB, -41 dB, -46 dB, -51 dB. All the presets are exactly the same, just names differ.

Now the volume-based Dynamic EQ part: modify each of the saved presets as follows. We'll only be modifying pre-gain and the gain of the 10th filter on each preset.

Preset name	PRE GAIN(dB)	10th filter GAIN(dB)
-6 dB	6	0
-11 dB	4	-3
-16 dB	2	-6
-21 dB	0	-9
-26 dB	-2	-12
-31 dB	-4	-15
-36 dB	-6	-18
-41 dB	-8	-21
-46 dB	-10	-24
-51 dB	-12	-27

Example: -31 dB preset name = SUM(-12 dB headroom, -4 dB pre gain, -15 dB filter gain)

Done. Leave all volume at 100% and choose preset to choose listening volume. I use the Qudelix chrome extension, but you could alternatively use the Android or iOS apps. Source music connection and settings connections are independent of one another and could be different devices.

Screenshot of my -6 dB (flat) example:

Below -31 dB. The bass lift affects frequencies up to approx 800 Hz gently, similar to what Audyssey does. Unfortunately, the plots go out of view on the fixed ±12 dB scale on these charts:

Actual loudness of your -51 dB preset may be different than my -51 dB preset and unlike Audyssey, these are not calibrated to your actual speaker level or your actual source material. So you may find these somewhat bass-heavy or a bass-light, depending on how loud your speakers actually are at these levels. To adjust that, you would want to work with the pre-gain and the 10th filter gain for the softest preset to adjust it by year, then do the same for the loudest preset, then come up with a table similar to the one I did above to fill the values of the 8 presets in-between. For what it's worth, my Dynamic EQ presets were adjusted to sound good to me with Qudelix 5k and Adam Audio T7V when listening to Spotify.

 

[rnd]

Here they are overlaid (sorry for the mess) for an overview of the Dynamic EQ, one line per preset in 5dB steps.

 

[Frank2]

My response is a bit late, just happened to stumble on this thread.
You could use a Behringer DEQ2496. It has three dynamic eq's per channel (plus 10 parameteric eq's).