Hello room acoustics wizards,
After some time measuring and working with REW I have managed to get meaningful improvements in the measurements and subjective sound of my two-way speakers- see attached. Space limitations require set up along the long wall of a 22 x 14 foot room, so they are only two feet from the back wall and about 10 feet from me. Within limitations, moving them around does not help these measurements very much. The attached responses represent averages taken from four positions around my left ear location using a UMIK and a fixed stand (the right speaker looks very similar). Note that some of the bass EQ strategy is intended to mimic the analog EQ box that originally came with the speakers (boost at 35 hz plus a subsonic filter),
1. Would a subwoofer help? (possibly add deep extension and fill in a touch more around 80hz)
2. Ever since seeing that ugly 100-300 hz region I stayed away from it and do not EQ. Is this correct?
Thanks very much,
Bryan
Unless there's some major fault with your speakers or input you should be able to make quite big alterations by positioning.
Can I just make sure I understand how your speakers are positioned.
In your first post you say that they are set up on the long wall. I take that to mean that the wall behind the speakers (normally called the front wall) is 22'. They are 2' forward of the front wall and also 10' from your listening position (LP). They are therefore 12' from the back wall. In a later post you say that they are 6 feet apart. which means they are 8' from each side wall. Is this correct? Let's assume it is. Your LP is therefore about 2.5' from the back wall (using Pythagoras!).
One positioning idea is The Thirds. This would locate the inner front edge of your speakers 7'4" from the side walls and 4'8" from the front wall with your LP (specifically your ears) 4'8" from the rear wall. That makes the speakers about 7'4" apart and your distance from ear to one speaker just under 6' (more Pythagoras). It might look silly but it's worth a try. If it's too silly or impractical for you, you could try The Fifths.
http://www.barrydiamentaudio.com/monitoring.htm
The coffee table is probably not good - it will reflect sound upwards. Test that by removing it. Generally you should have no obstructions between you and the speaker. Leather chairs may also reflect more than fabric ones. Also I found that having equipment on the front wall - amp etc, or a screen - will also impact what you hear at the LP. I don't have a screen but put my gear on the side wall (it needs longer speaker cables but this also reduces irritations from LED lights).