Hi,
I have a pure 2 channel stereo set up. My speakers are the Spatial Audio M4 Turbo Se -Open Baffle.
Back in 2019, I added the MiniDSP 22 D device to my chain and in December, 2025 moved the DIRAC LIVE 3 to my Music PC. My system is Digital and I stream using Apple Music via my P.C. I integrate DIRAC LIVE with JRiver using a plugin.
As noted by the OP, the elephant is the room and can be effectively sorted by room correction.
To my ears, the DIRAC LIVE makes the system totally disappear painting an addictive 3D, holographic SS. Imaging is rock solid. And resolution is very detailed.
But yet I'm tempted to see if the ART suite could improve this by a notch or two. So I reached out to DIRAC and asked.
Here is a summary of what I was told.
- ART works better if it has a number of speakers and sub woofers to 'play' with. Yes, it will work with my M4, but I must be mindful that a stereo pair of speakers has fewer drivers.
- Given that I don't have subs (and never will) ART will likely be most relevant from roughly 50–150 Hz and not 20–150 Hz.
- Possible benefit: tighter upper bass / lower midbass, reduced bass decay, better integration with the room.
- I have also been told that there could be an issue with over-correction, excessive support, or audible spatial side effects and hence advised to keep ART’s Fsiso/support upper limit, lower at first, perhaps around 80–120 Hz.
- As test tracks go, I'm advised to focus on acoustic bass, kick drum, male vocal body, piano left hand, and stereo image stability.
If this helps.
I do plan on taking up the 14 day trial and will report once I'm done with that.
Happy listening.
I have a pure 2 channel stereo set up. My speakers are the Spatial Audio M4 Turbo Se -Open Baffle.
Back in 2019, I added the MiniDSP 22 D device to my chain and in December, 2025 moved the DIRAC LIVE 3 to my Music PC. My system is Digital and I stream using Apple Music via my P.C. I integrate DIRAC LIVE with JRiver using a plugin.
As noted by the OP, the elephant is the room and can be effectively sorted by room correction.
To my ears, the DIRAC LIVE makes the system totally disappear painting an addictive 3D, holographic SS. Imaging is rock solid. And resolution is very detailed.
But yet I'm tempted to see if the ART suite could improve this by a notch or two. So I reached out to DIRAC and asked.
Here is a summary of what I was told.
- ART works better if it has a number of speakers and sub woofers to 'play' with. Yes, it will work with my M4, but I must be mindful that a stereo pair of speakers has fewer drivers.
- Given that I don't have subs (and never will) ART will likely be most relevant from roughly 50–150 Hz and not 20–150 Hz.
- Possible benefit: tighter upper bass / lower midbass, reduced bass decay, better integration with the room.
- I have also been told that there could be an issue with over-correction, excessive support, or audible spatial side effects and hence advised to keep ART’s Fsiso/support upper limit, lower at first, perhaps around 80–120 Hz.
- As test tracks go, I'm advised to focus on acoustic bass, kick drum, male vocal body, piano left hand, and stereo image stability.
If this helps.
I do plan on taking up the 14 day trial and will report once I'm done with that.
Happy listening.
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