DSP is bad!

[sergeauckland]

Oh look, another clickbait headline from headphonesty to drive hits,

What is it about these YouTube Gurus that all look like they need a shower and a shave. (as well as some proper clothes!) Why do we post these things, and why do some look at them? It only encourages more.

As a general principle, anything on YouTube is ignored unless there's a pretty good reason for watching it.

Horrible stuff.

S.

 

[Rja4000]

Some of us (me included) are deep into DSP tech. Is what he says mostly hogwash? Or there’s some merit in what he says?

https://www.****************/2025/09/digital-room-correction-drains-music-warns-engineer/?

Please DO NOT publish Headphonesty click bait posts here!

This guy is always publishing provocative posts - often (but not always) containing a part of truth... and its exact opposite.
Obviously, his only goal is to drain attention... and clicks.

We deserve better than that !

If you have a doubt, post your question, but don't feed the troll !

(Just my opinion)

 

[Suono]

It makes me laugh, but not too much, that simple enthusiasts of reproduced sound think they know more than a designer and even an engineer!

 

[Blueprint]

There isn’t a system in the world that IMO doesn’t benefit from time alignment and cuts to excessive bass peaks below 150-200hz. This is all you should do with DSP in my view unless you have access to tools that can fix bass in the time domain like waveforming. Most else degrades the sound unless you’re very fortunate.

 

[Zgrado1970]

I'm very sympathetic to his way of looking at the problem - to my ears the less electronics (especially digital) in the signal path and the less drivers a speaker has the better!

How is it better?

 

[voodooless]

How is it better?

More misinformation, more misunderstanding, more ignorance, more red herrings, more straw men…

 

[Talisman]

It makes me laugh, but not too much, that simple enthusiasts of reproduced sound think they know more than a designer and even an engineer!

So let's put it this way. I tried listening to my sound system without corrections, then I tried Audissey, and the result was decidedly better.
That's just as valid as all the anecdotal observations to the contrary. Are you okay with that?

 

[Suono]

There isn’t a system in the world that IMO doesn’t benefit from time alignment and cuts to excessive bass peaks below 150-200hz. This is all you should do with DSP in my view unless you have access to tools that can fix bass in the time domain like waveforming. Most else degrades the sound unless you’re very fortunate.

As an engineer, he scientifically explained what happens to sound and ears. As a manufacturer and designer, he could have easily put a nice DSP in his speakers and sold them. Instead, he made a fool of himself in front of you and those who think like you.

 

[Suono]

So let's put it this way. I tried listening to my sound system without corrections, then I tried Audissey, and the result was decidedly better.
That's just as valid as all the anecdotal observations to the contrary. Are you okay with that?

There's no arguing what you or I like. I could tell you the opposite: I don't like the sound of "drc." But the article, which deserves further exploration, contains some strong and unpopular concepts that lend themselves to speculation, but which I think are valid.

 

[voodooless]

He fails to realize that room effects are also (mostly) minimum phase, so any deviation you have will also cause group delay and phase distortion.

that simple enthusiasts of reproduced sound think they know more than a designer and even an engineer!

You’re clearly new here… there are more engineers around here than probably anywhere in audio land… In any case:

Argument from authority - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Purité Audio]

There is no sound to DRC, if you only correct in the minimal phase region of the FR.
Keith

 

[Suono]

He fails to realize that room effects are also (mostly) minimum phase, so any deviation you have will also cause group delay and phase distortion.

But in your opinion, someone who designs speakers isn't aware of environmental problems?

 

[voodooless]

But in your opinion, someone who designs speakers isn't aware of environmental problems?

He’s here to sell you a product… that is all you need to know. The Engineer persona come at the very bottom of the rankings.

 

[Suono]

You’re clearly new here… there are more engineers around here than probably anywhere in audio land… In any case:

Having an engineering degree is one thing, using that knowledge to design loudspeakers is another!.

 

[Suono]

He’s here to sell you a product… that is all you need to know. The Engineer persona come at the very bottom of the rankings

So you're smart and we're stupid.
If he wanted to sell more, he could have just put the DSP in the speakers and run the RF line straight.

 

[Zgrado1970]

So you're smart and we're stupid.
If he wanted to sell more, he could have just put the DSP in the speakers and run the RF line straight.

Who is “we”? And who called you stupid?

 

[MAB]

Wow, another troll thread. Here they come!

 

[voodooless]

Having an engineering degree is one thing, using that knowledge to design loudspeakers is another!.

Another logical fallacy, this time it is appeal to accomplishment.

But hey, luckily we do have plenty of engineer members that designed speakers, commercial or otherwise. Even Flood Toole is a member.

And besides, at other companies, plenty of engineers advocate for the use of DSP. So now what?

 

[Suono]

Who is “we”? And who called you stupid?

naive person who believes the mad engineer and buys his product

 

[Suono]

And besides, at other companies, plenty of engineers advocate for the use of DSP. So now what?

I'll leave you with this. Ask him privately whether what the disinforming engineer says is plausible or not. I've asked these questions