KEF speakers and FIR correction

[Digital_Thor]

I'm just curious - that's part of this hobby too
Using IIR myself and not particually ready to convert to FIR yet, since it would require to change to many things in my system, and I haven't heard beyond a very, very few systems, that actually benefitted from FIR - IMO. Maybe because it is still up for debate whether we can actually hear phase "problems" in normal music playback.

But have anyone seen or tried to take a very good measuring speaker like KEF, and add FIR to make it phase-"correct" too? And does anyone think it would make a audible difference?

A blind test of some sort would be quite interesting... I haven't found one truly proving that an absolute linear phase is preferred - but I'm always open

 

[terryforsythe]

The KEF LS60 Wireless has phase correction that can be toggled on and off. I don't know whether it is using FIR, but it would make sense. You might investigate and take a listen to them if they are indeed using FIR.

 

[Digital_Thor]

The KEF LS60 Wireless has phase correction that can be toggled on and off. I don't know whether it is using FIR, but it would make sense. You might investigate and take a listen to them if they are indeed using FIR.

Interesting. I did look at them, since I found them ok priced, considering how it's a finished package with everything in it... just adding a few subwoofers to level the frequency and add actual physics to the music.
I do own a lot of gear and have been into DIY for years - so they could be a future thing for a nice living room, when or if I grow tired of making my own thing.
Will give them a listen if possible

 

[terryforsythe]

just adding a few subwoofers to level the frequency and add actual physics to the music.

I have them in a relatively small room, 3.5m x 4.2m x 4.2m, and the LS60s do not need a subwoofer at the SPL to which I listen to music. They dig deep at reasonable volume levels. If they are played very loud, however, the protection circuitry will roll off the bass according to KEF's white paper.

The issue I have with the KEF Connect app is that it does not provide proper phase adjustment for the subwoofer output. Instead, it only has a polarity switch. So, if a subwoofer is used with the LS60s, it should be one that has variable phase adjustment/time delay. Otherwise, you might end up with a dip in the frequency response at the crossover frequency. The subwoofer can be moved around to try to mitigate that, but you may not like the location where it ends up.

 

[Digital_Thor]

Physics... that's just how the world is wired Mains and subwoofers get the best advantage by being where they make the best of each of their qualities. Mains in a stereo-triangle, and subwoofers in a position, where they excite the most frequencies - typically not where the mains are, since you actually want as many sub-sources as possible. So, mains + two subwoofers = 4 sound sources below around 100Hz. That's the best way I can interpret Earl Geddes', audioholics, and others approach:

Works pretty good here - but I also have 4

 

[terryforsythe]

Physics... that's just how the world is wired Mains and subwoofers get the best advantage by being where they make the best of each of their qualities. Mains in a stereo-triangle, and subwoofers in a position, where they excite the most frequencies - typically not where the mains are, since you actually want as many sub-sources as possible. So, mains + two subwoofers = 4 sound sources below around 100Hz. That's the best way I can interpret Earl Geddes', audioholics, and others approach:

If you have the room for multiple subwoofers, then go for it. Again, just make sure that you have a way to adjust the phase/time delay of each subwoofer individually. That will give you the best results.

 

[Digital_Thor]

Exactly... DSP for absolute best result with multiple subwoofers. I of course, have a DSP for each subwoofer - individually.

 

[kemmler3D]

I have the LS60s and have played with the phase correction, trying to see if I could hear a difference. Even on my "impulse response stress test" track the difference was subtle enough that I couldn't swear that I wasn't imagining it.

Of course the phase response on the LS60 isn't a trainwreck even if the correction is off, but I guess my point is, the difference is not dramatic.

 

[Digital_Thor]

This just proves to me, that FIR correction of exiting speaker designs, definitely is not the first thing to chase - if ever - since there are often so many other concerns to fix first, that most likely will be way more noticeable