Best 2 channel room correction options

[Will2campb]

I am considering room correction options in a two channel system. I am mainly concerned with sub integration and correction of room modes. Anthem ARC, Room Perfect and Dirac with bass control are 3 I am considering. Seem like Arc is problematic with lots of issues like calculating incorrect speaker distances. I would appreciate any advice, particularly from users who have done before and after measurements with REW.

 

[Bmoze]

You might check out Focus Fidelity Impala (measurement software) and Designer (Filter generator). I really like it. There's a thread about it on the Roon forum here- https://community.roonlabs.com/t/a-few-words-about-focus-fidelity/295313

 

[Will2campb]

You might check out Focus Fidelity Impala (measurement software) and Designer (Filter generator). I really like it. There's about it on the Roon forum here- https://community.roonlabs.com/t/a-few-words-about-focus-fidelity/295313

Thanks!

 

[Oddball]

I am considering room correction options in a two channel system. I am mainly concerned with sub integration and correction of room modes. Anthem ARC, Room Perfect and Dirac with bass control are 3 I am considering. Seem like Arc is problematic with lots of issues like calculating incorrect speaker distances. I would appreciate any advice, particularly from users who have done before and after measurements with REW.

There would be Trinnov and Audyssey to consider as well. Dirac is also going to launch their ART on D&M hardware by the end of this year, which was previously only available on pricy Storm units. These systems are all vastly different but probably all of them could do a good job and then some could cater better to your preferences. ART is the darling of the day though.

Unless you are very lucky with the sub placement lottery, 2 subs are usually required to smooth the response irrespective of the room correction. With 4 subs you will likely be in almost full control of the low end in your room.

Measurements are great, but not many people have done comparison of multiple systems in their rooms. Better way to choose is to understand features of all these systems and how that might or might not align with your preferences. Trinnov generally aligns with anything you throw at it, but then does not have ART.

 

[Mort]

I've used Audyssey, Wiim, DiracLive and GLM. I like GLM best for the automatic phase correction.

 

[Oddball]

I've used Audyssey, Wiim, DiracLive and GLM. I like GLM best for the automatic phase correction.

Many praise GLM, which is not surprising. Active solutions seem to be taking more and more ground.

Dirac, ART and Optimizer would also need to correct the phase response though? Not sure what room perfect does nowadays - Audy still corrects just the frequency response.

 

[Will2campb]

There would be Trinnov and Audyssey to consider as well. Dirac is also going to launch their ART on D&M hardware by the end of this year, which was previously only available on pricy Storm units. These systems are all vastly different but probably all of them could do a good job and then some could cater better to your preferences. ART is the darling of the day though.

Unless you are very lucky with the sub placement lottery, 2 subs are usually required to smooth the response irrespective of the room correction. With 4 subs you will likely be in almost full control of the low end in your room.

Measurements are great, but not many people have done comparison of multiple systems in their rooms. Better way to choose is to understand features of all these systems and how that might or might not align with your preferences. Trinnov generally aligns with anything you throw at it, but then does not have ART.

Thank you. I think the only two channel product available with dirac with bass control is the NAD M66. Would I be better off with just doing 4 subs and not using room correction?

 

[Oddball]

You will always need room correction as that will help you tune in 4 subs, even if you go with outboard solution such as mini DSP HD and manage it with REW filters.

I would not be so picky to differentiate between two channel and multichannel products. Depending on your budget or preferences for example D&M will have a host of products from $1-6K and all of them (in that price range) will be getting ART as upgrade for $299 (plus cost of basic Dirac and DLBC so almost a grand all in). You will be paying for additional channels and features, but will be getting quite competent units in their respective price ranges. I am not ART fanboy, but pretty much everyone else is, so just want to provide "objective" advice.

For example, latest Marantz AV-20 apparently reaches 110dB SINAD - the highest in the multi-channel room and nothing that even a 2 channel audiophile should feel ashamed of. Costs a pretty penny though, but will be able to do ART with 4 subs.

 

[Mort]

You have not told us much about your system, room and music so it's hard to say much about this topic with specificity.

But I can assure you, any of the mentioned automatic room correction systems will help more than four subs.

I have not found four subs to be a panacea for difficult room nodes, but I'm in a very small room.

 

[Oddball]

You have not told us much about your system, room and music so it's hard to say much about this topic with specificity.

But I can assure you, any of the mentioned automatic room correction systems will help more than four subs.

I have not found four subs to be a panacea for difficult room nodes, but I'm in a very small room.

True - more info the better. 4 subs are often, but obviously not always, cure for anything but bad content. If 4, subs should be sized by room though in normal circumstances. Have seen 4 big Perlistens in a particular room that was not really big, but the owner was really concerned about distortion and was able to fund the purchase. His smile was apparently worth the cost. Would not be the case with me though.

 

[OldHvyMec]

Would I be better off with just doing 4 subs and not using room correction?

Best idea you've had so far.

I've used a few different room correction packages at different times in my life, starting 20+ years ago with Mcintosh and a MX120. It turned out to be one of my favorite 3.X or 5.X systems of all times. The fact still remained that I liked 2 channel sound with a well integrated sub/bass system. 2.2/4.

It's not digitally controlled and 100% analog. 2 main speakers, 2 bass columns and (depending on the room size) 2-8 12" OB servo subs.

I can easily drop in most monitor sections (300hz >) and leave the sub/bass system just as it is. Just adjusting for the center phantom.

I've never liked the result from any room correction software, but I admit I gave up on that well over 15 years ago.

I use some OB tools that Behringer has in a DCX2496, and I use "room treatment" along with Helmholtz adjustable resonators for 180 Hz <.
The resonators are a simple math thing. A normal rectangle room of 3-400sf with 8 - 12 foot lids requires 6-10 resonators.

I get by very well, with a couple of Behringer mics, (nothing too fancy), and narrow down the location of placement for the subs and resonators.

Above 300hz I use simple tone control and LPads that are installed on all the DIY and commercial main speakers I use.

Some of the worst systems I've ever heard used room correction software. Dull, flat, boring systems. Always in untreated rooms.

I also admit I've heard some very nice systems at friends' homes that have used Room Correction along with very expensive gear, and room treatment, that I could actually sit for hours and listen without getting antsy.

I'd try getting some good data on your room (wide high peaks and wide heavy dips) and try simple placement, seated position, seated height, and tinkering with an EQ. PEQ and or GEQ.

Don't spend a nickel until you have some good room measurements (at least from 300hz <) and a plan. I suppose a decent mic could cost you 1-300.00 usd, but certainly don't go overboard. I used Radio Shack SPL meters and mics for years as reference points. The one advantage I have over most people is that I've lived in the same home I built for over 45 years now. If the dog gets behind the speakers/gear table, I know when she does. The floor noise goes up, and it usually takes a whoppin' 5 minutes to find and adjust the cable routing and get rid of the noise.

All my best Regards

 

[Will2campb]

You have not told us much about your system, room and music so it's hard to say much about this topic with specificity.

But I can assure you, any of the mentioned automatic room correction systems will help more than four subs.

I have not found four subs to be a panacea for difficult room nodes, but I'm in a very small room.

I am building a system from scratch. My room is 15 feet wide and 14 feet deep. 9 foot ceilings. Treated with absortion panels on side walls and diffusers on rear wall.