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Review and Measurements of Benchmark DAC3

Coach_Kaarlo

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Gain setting question.

My digital source has -25 dB gain (meaning a reduction of 25dB to the digital signal sent to the DAC) to provide headroom for room EQ and parametric filters etc.

My downstream Benchmark DAC is set as per factory which presumably is on the 0dB jumper / pad.

My Benchmark AHB2's have to be set on the 14.2dBu / 4 Vrms to reach comfortable listening levels with the volume at 11 or 12 o'clock, and it is certainly impossible to drive the speakers to clipping as is suggested by the Benchmark manual/ application notes.

Setting the amps to 9.8Vrms makes the speaker output almost inaudible on most listening material unless the volume is adjusted to maximum.

Basically the DAC output level is reduced by 25dB so I need to add at least 15 to 20dB between the DAC2 and the speakers - just not sure what the best option is and looking for some guidance.



So, my question is which of the following gives me the least distortion and noise for the highest gain;
  1. if I set the DAC XLR pads to plus +10 dB (or can I do plus 20dB??)
  2. if I set the AHB2 to 2Vrms (max position increases everything - not just level)
  3. change my unbalanced RCA to RCA (DAC2 to AHB2) to a balanced XLR to RCA cable
  4. something else
 

Vasr

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My digital source has -25 dB gain (meaning a reduction of 25dB to the digital signal sent to the DAC) to provide headroom for room EQ and parametric filters etc.
What are you using for your room EQ and who is doing the -25db setting? If you did this manually, it may be unnecessary or too conservative. Dirac, for example, reserves -12.5db for the headroom. I don't know of any other correction system that are more aggressive in boost than that. If you are using a roomEQ enabled device then they typically do that headroom reserves themselves before they apply their filters so the upstream device can send it with no attenuation.
 

Coach_Kaarlo

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What are you using for your room EQ and who is doing the -25db setting? If you did this manually, it may be unnecessary or too conservative. Dirac, for example, reserves -12.5db for the headroom. I don't know of any other correction system that are more aggressive in boost than that. If you are using a roomEQ enabled device then they typically do that headroom reserves themselves before they apply their filters so the upstream device can send it with no attenuation.

So I measure using MMM method and REW over 3 positions for each channel.

Then I build a PEQ filter for each channel in REW which corrects the worst peaks and non-room mode minimums (which needs plus 14dB of headroom on one channel and plus 10dB on the other due to a very asymmetrical room), and averages the 3 MMM measurements per each channel.

Then I measure the room again with DIRAC Live 3.0 and the PEQ filters loaded, and because the PEQ is doing the heavy lifting the DIRAC correction sounds and measures much better (DIRAC can only do +/- 10dB max, so I allow 10dB of headroom).

So with the maximum corrections of +14 and +10 dB = +24 dB therefore reducing the digital signal in the DSP by -25dB gives the required headroom to avoid clipping.

Unfortunately this means I have to increase the gain downstream of the DSP - I'm just not sure where and how is the best place to do so without creating extra noise or distortion.
 

waynel

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So I measure using MMM method and REW over 3 positions for each channel.

Then I build a PEQ filter for each channel in REW which corrects the worst peaks and non-room mode minimums (which needs plus 14dB of headroom on one channel and plus 10dB on the other due to a very asymmetrical room), and averages the 3 MMM measurements per each channel.

Then I measure the room again with DIRAC Live 3.0 and the PEQ filters loaded, and because the PEQ is doing the heavy lifting the DIRAC correction sounds and measures much better (DIRAC can only do +/- 10dB max, so I allow 10dB of headroom).

So with the maximum corrections of +14 and +10 dB = +24 dB therefore reducing the digital signal in the DSP by -25dB gives the required headroom to avoid clipping.

Unfortunately this means I have to increase the gain downstream of the DSP - I'm just not sure where and how is the best place to do so without creating extra noise or distortion.
Not a great idea to allow for 24dB or gain boost, you are just likely feeding a null. What frequency is the maximum boost applied?
 

Coach_Kaarlo

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Not a great idea to allow for 24dB or gain boost, you are just likely feeding a null. What frequency is the maximum boost applied?

Agreed.

Not feeding a null, lifting one side/ channel of the room between 25 and 80 Hz, to match the other side which is in a corner, by 14db. The TOTAL correction with PEQ is 14dB MAX! The additional 10dB is to allow the correct headroom for DIRAC to function without clipping. Have tested without any headroom and it clips.

So 25dB of headroom, with 14dB of correction thru PEQ.

Graphs below are after the PEQ (+14dB) for each channel.

29JUL_WIDE LOUNGE_NEW PEQ12_DV1_SENT TO P1-CORRECTION CH1.png
29JUL_WIDE LOUNGE_NEW PEQ12_DV1_SENT TO P1-CORRECTION CH2.png


Image below shows the before and after of the room using the REW PEQ.


MMM4_BOTH CH AV1_NEW PEQ12_P2_CORRECTED v ORIGINAL.jpg


The DSP configuration is up to about version 15 and has been optimised muchly, so I am happy with the headroom / filter setting for now.

But I guess my original question is where to stage the gain.

Accepting the 25dB of headroom as fixed for now - where can I get an extra 20dB!!!

In the DAC I could use the +20dB pad and get most of it back, but probably adds some nasties.

Also I can run the 2Vrms setting on my AHB2 (Mono) and probably get some gain there also, but also adds distortion and noise.
 

waynel

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Agreed.

Not feeding a null, lifting one side/ channel of the room between 25 and 80 Hz, to match the other side which is in a corner, by 14db. The TOTAL correction with PEQ is 14dB MAX! The additional 10dB is to allow the correct headroom for DIRAC to function without clipping. Have tested without any headroom and it clips.

So 25dB of headroom, with 14dB of correction thru PEQ.

Graphs below are after the PEQ (+14dB) for each channel.

View attachment 75795View attachment 75796

Image below shows the before and after of the room using the REW PEQ.


View attachment 75797

The DSP configuration is up to about version 15 and has been optimised muchly, so I am happy with the headroom / filter setting for now.

But I guess my original question is where to stage the gain.

Accepting the 25dB of headroom as fixed for now - where can I get an extra 20dB!!!

In the DAC I could use the +20dB pad and get most of it back, but probably adds some nasties.

Also I can run the 2Vrms setting on my AHB2 (Mono) and probably get some gain there also, but also adds distortion and noise.

my advise is stop using the PEQ first and let Dirac do what it can , also suggest moving your sub so it’s not in a null .
 

Coach_Kaarlo

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my advise is stop using the PEQ first and let Dirac do what it can , also suggest moving your sub so it’s not in a null .

Did that at version 5 or 6 - in other words ages ago - ended up here because of a long process of testing and optimisation.

And not using a sub - full range speakers with 13inch carbon fibre woofer - so position is fixed / optimized so to speak.

DIRAC cannot manage big cuts or lifts as well as the PEQ -the result both measures and sounds worse - see yellow spread below.

PRESET 4-1.png


So, my question is which of the following gives me the least distortion and noise for the highest gain;
  1. if I set the DAC XLR pads to plus +10 dB (or can I do plus 20dB??)
  2. if I set the AHB2 to 2Vrms (max position increases everything - not just level)
  3. change my unbalanced RCA to RCA (DAC2 to AHB2) to a balanced XLR to RCA cable
  4. something else
 
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waynel

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Did that at version 5 or 6 - in other words ages ago - ended up here because of a long process of testing and optimisation.

DIRAC cannot manage big cuts or lifts as well as the PEQ -the result both measures and sounds worse.



So, my question is which of the following gives me the least distortion and noise for the highest gain;
  1. if I set the DAC XLR pads to plus +10 dB (or can I do plus 20dB??)
  2. if I set the AHB2 to 2Vrms (max position increases everything - not just level)
  3. change my unbalanced RCA to RCA (DAC2 to AHB2) to a balanced XLR to RCA cable
  4. something else
And not using a sub - full range speakers with 13inch carbon fibre woofer - so position is fixed so to speak.
4). Something else , Dirac should not be trying to correct a 14dB dip. By trying to correct this you are causing problems for yourself. Either move your speakers, add 2 or more subs and make sure your mains are high pass filtered at 80 hz, or live with a dip.
Also, I can’t imagine why you would use an unbalanced cable between a dac2 and an ahb2.
 

Coach_Kaarlo

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4). Something else , Dirac should not be trying to correct a 14dB dip. By trying to correct this you are causing problems for yourself. Either move your speakers, add 2 or more subs and make sure your mains are high pass filtered at 80 hz, or live with a dip.
Also, I can’t imagine why you would use an unbalanced cable between a dac2 and an ahb2.

Typo re DAC 2 AHB2 connection - it is indeed a Benchmark interconnect and fully balanced 75 ohm etc etc!

I was actually meaning the DSP to DAC connection, which is unbalanced because the DSP uses XLR out balanced and the DAC uses RCA in balanced.

Long term a couple of subs will indeed be added, but I am happy having a full range three way speaker which can get down into the 20Hz area for now.

7153477A-FDFA-4BDB-B730-AF36F6770289.jpeg


Anyway my friend I thank you for your time and your advice. I will of course revert to your advice and try another round of measurements and filters should this current course of action produce something which sounds and measures worse.

However, after a few months I am VERY happy with the current results, in a room which is asymmetrical and bright, with speakers located a best as they can be, changing between HD650 cans and speakers has the balance, tonality, and space all very close. It is closer to reference than I would have believed possible given the issues with the room. And measuring with PEQ loaded has DEFINITELY allowed DIRAC to refine/ correct more. Particularly the impulse problems one has with a lopsided open room.

Edit[ Ultimately nulls cannot be filled, so the before and after measurements show where the nulls are clearly]

So, let's let some of the other experts contribute, because while I love your advice I think you are not adding anything new at this point, or answering my original post.
 
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waynel

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Typo re DAC 2 AHB2 connection - it is indeed a Benchmark interconnect and fully balanced 75 ohm etc etc!

I was actually meaning the DSP to DAC connection, which is unbalanced because the DSP uses XLR out balanced and the DAC uses RCA in balanced.

Long term a couple of subs will indeed be added, but I am happy having a full range three way speaker which can get down into the 20Hz area for now.



Anyway my friend I thank you for your time and your advice. I will of course revert to your advice and try another round of measurements and filters should this current course of action produce something which sounds and measures worse.

However, after a few months I am VERY happy with the current results, in a room which is asymmetrical and bright, with speakers located a best as they can be, changing between HD650 cans and speakers has the balance, tonality, and space all very close. It is closer to reference than I would have believed possible given the issues with the room. And measuring with PEQ loaded has DEFINITELY allowed DIRAC to refine/ correct more. Particularly the impulse problems one has with a lopsided open room.

So, let's let some of the other experts contribute, because while I love your advice I think you are not adding anything new at this point, or answering my original post.
Do you realize that trying to correct a 14 dB dip requires your amps to put out 25X more power and for your speakers to handle 25 times more power ?
 
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Sal1950

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Do you realize that trying to correct a 14 dB dip requires your amps to put out 25X more power and for your speakers to handle 25 times more power ?
Scary and dangerous prospect. :eek:
 

waynel

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Scary and dangerous prospect. :eek:
Right, and I should mention that his dip is centered at 45-65 Hz, precisely where rock music has the most energy and the amps and speakers are likely to be the most strained. This dip is better ignored or solved with 2 or more subs.
 

Coach_Kaarlo

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Do you realize that trying to correct a 14 dB dip requires your amps to put out 25X more power and for your speakers to handle 25 times more power ?

Scary and dangerous prospect. :eek:

Right, and I should mention that his dip is centered at 45-65 Hz, precisely where rock music has the most energy and the amps and speakers are likely to be the most strained. This dip is better ignored or solved with 2 or more subs.

This is now off-topic re DAC3 and gain staging, but presumably our moderators can move if needed.

I am prepared to be wrong - I'm sure you both feel the same - as rationally learning any new information seems predicated on this principle!

And I am certain I can also learn something new, but I have watched waynel jumping to conclusions on other threads which are simply not borne out by the facts. For example presuming my comparisons with the bass response between AHB2 and other amps were performed in my home where I am using the DSP mentioned previously in this thread - wrong was actually off-site in a studio!


My room modes/ non-DSP frequency response below. You can clearly see each channel (RCH = right channel LCH = left) and the respective measurement position (LS=left seat, CS = centre, RS = right) against the room itself. The REW room modes show at the bottom assume symmetry and therefore are largely useless.
CHANNELS COMPARED.jpg



The central assertions you are making seem to be;
  1. I am using a 14dB PK filter in REW to fill a room mode null
  2. I am over driving the amp and or speakers by doing the above
What I am basing my approach on;
  1. If I place extra energy into a room mode or null, the result is actually nothing = that's why it is a null. If you take the time and effort to look at the images of frequency responses and ensure you are looking at the correct channels you may notice that the null occurs at different places on each channel - this is because it is a width mode (my room is 7.2m wide X 4.7m long X 2.65m high) and my listeners right speaker is 1450mm from the side wall and 1100mm from the front wall (essentially in a corner). On the opposite side my listeners left speaker is 1100mm from the wall but has 3200mm or so to it's side wall, and the room is open forwards and backwards on that side (see CAD image). So by EQing the respective peaks and leaving the nulls I actually gain a listening spot frequency response which is reasonably flat, and as low frequency is not directional the ears don't seem to notice which channel it is coming from, but rather that it is filled in rather than missing. I am going to make another set of measurements, and build a PEQ filter which cuts more and requires less gain. Both to test your idea, and to see if it solves my gain problem. Only issue I can see is this requires large adjustments in the tone controls on the speakers and full frequency PEQ as the highs and mids become too bright if the bottom end frequencies are used as a base for the target slope.
  2. Sadly (I really want to test this AHB2 functionality) despite driving my speakers with 750W amps, or even my two mono AHB2's at 480W (into 6 ohm nominal speakers 125W continuous / 250W peak music) I have NEVER been able to generate clipping at the speaker. I have generated digital clipping by failing to provide enough headroom for DSP/ DIRAC, but even driving the speakers through the DAC / AHB2 directly, which obviously produces 25dB greater volume/ power evenly across all frequencies, the amp has not clipped. Switching between DSP and DAC while playing 20/30/40/50/60/70/80/90 Hz tones at the same level results in very very similar cone extension (less than max generated while using DAC to AHB2 only) despite your claims of 25 times the power. Basically the attenuated frequency now plays at similar volume/ power as the other un-attenuated frequencies did prior to adding DSP/ DIRAC correction. Simply put, plus 14dB minus 25dB = 11dB of which it seems DIRAC uses up to either 10 or 12.5 depending on opinion. Net result is clearly that the gain limitation (-25dB everywhere) prevents the amp from needing or indeed being able to produce any more power at that frequency that it did prior to DSP.

On the AHB2 thread John Siau wrote a great comment working through the actual power the speaker will see at different levels/ volumes. I wonder if you read it? Seems quite different to your 25 times the power claim.

ROOM LAYOUT.jpg
 
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waynel

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This is now off-topic re DAC3 and gain staging, but presumably our moderators can move if needed.

I am prepared to be wrong - I'm sure you both feel the same - as rationally learning any new information seems predicated on this principle!

And I am certain I can also learn something new, but I have watched waynel jumping to conclusions on other threads which are simply not borne out by the facts. For example presuming my comparisons with the bass response between AHB2 and other amps were performed in my home (actually off-site in a studio) where I am using the DSP mentioned previously in this thread - wrong!


The central assertions seem to be;
  1. I am using a 14dB PK filter in REW to fill a room mode null
  2. I am over driving the amp and or speakers by doing the above
What I am basing my approach on;
  1. If I place extra energy into a room mode or null, the result is actually nothing = that's why it is a null. If you take the time and effort to look at the images of frequency responses and ensure you are looking at the correct channels you may notice that the null occurs at different places on each channel - this is because it is a width mode (my room is 7.2m wide X 4.7m long X 2.65m high) and my listeners right speaker is 1450mm from the side wall and 1100mm from the front wall (essentially in a corner). On the opposite side my listeners left speaker is 1100mm from the wall but has 3200mm or so to it's side wall, and the room is open forwards and backwards on that side (see CAD image). So by EQing the respective peaks and leaving the nulls I actually gain a listening spot frequency response which is reasonably flat, and as low frequency is not directional the ears don't seem to notice which channel it is coming from, but rather that it is filled in rather than missing. I am going to make another set of measurements, and build a PEQ filter which cuts more and requires less gain. Both to test your idea, and to see if it solves my gain problem. Only issue I can see is this requires large adjustments in the tone controls on the speakers and full frequency PEQ as the highs and mids become too bright if the bottom end frequencies are used as a base for the target slope.
  2. Sadly (I really want to test this functionality) despite driving my speakers with 750W amps, or even my two mono AHB2's at 480W (into 6 ohm nominal speakers 125W continuous / 250W peak music) I have NEVER been able to generate clipping at the speaker. I have generated digital clipping by failing to provide enough headroom for DSP/ DIRAC, but even driving the speakers through the DAC / AHB2 directly, which obviously produces 25dB greater volume/ power evenly across all frequencies, the amp has not clipped. Switching between DSP and DAC while playing 20/30/40/50/60/70/80/90 Hz tones at the same level results in very very similar cone extension (less than max generated while using DAC to AHB2 only) despite your claims of 25 times the power. Basically the attenuated frequency now plays at similar volume/ power as the other un-attenuated frequencies did prior to adding DSP/ DIRAC correction. Simply put, plus 14dB minus 25dB = 11dB of which it seems DIRAC uses up to either 10 or 12.5 depending on opinion. Net result is clearly that the gain limitation (-25dB everywhere) prevents the amp from needing or indeed being able to produce any more power at that frequency that it did prior to DSP.

On the AHB2 thread John Siau wrote a great comment working through the actual power the speaker will see at different levels/ volumes. I wonder if you read it? Seems quite different to your 25 times the power claim.

View attachment 75924
14dB boost = 25 times the power, that’s not my idea , it’s math. 10logbase10(25) =14. I didn’t jump to any conclusion on the other thread that was proven wrong I asked if you were using this peq with 14 dB boost when you where unhappy with the AHB2. You said no. Fine. The 14dB dip between 45-65Hz may still have something to do with your preference for the other amp over the AHB2 but now I’m thinking it’s more likely in your mind.

anyway let me comment more bluntly on your quest to add a 14 dB boost then run DIRAC on top of that: You’re doing it wrong!
 
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Vasr

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So I measure using MMM method and REW over 3 positions for each channel.

Then I build a PEQ filter for each channel in REW which corrects the worst peaks and non-room mode minimums (which needs plus 14dB of headroom on one channel and plus 10dB on the other due to a very asymmetrical room), and averages the 3 MMM measurements per each channel.

Then I measure the room again with DIRAC Live 3.0 and the PEQ filters loaded, and because the PEQ is doing the heavy lifting the DIRAC correction sounds and measures much better (DIRAC can only do +/- 10dB max, so I allow 10dB of headroom).

So with the maximum corrections of +14 and +10 dB = +24 dB therefore reducing the digital signal in the DSP by -25dB gives the required headroom to avoid clipping.

Unfortunately this means I have to increase the gain downstream of the DSP - I'm just not sure where and how is the best place to do so without creating extra noise or distortion.

Don't want to get into the ongoing spat with others or tell you what to do or not to do but I am just curious about understanding what is going on here with your system if you don't mind.

In terms of your original question, any gains you do in the digital domain can lead to digital clipping from the digital processing in the path. This is why attenuating it by that much was necessary to avoid digital clipping. But you can't necessarily get it back if you boost it back up before the digital handling that caused the clipping which could be in the DAC itself. On the other hand, in the analog domain, many amps can go above reference volume (THX seems to require it for the LFE portion and why LFE is recorded -10db attenuated in the standard encodings), so any gain needs to come downstream of the last digital processing that caused the digital clipping while staying well below amp clipping. As long as that happens you should be ok.

But in terms of making sure what is happening that is causing this situation...

Do you know what the crossover points are in your speakers (assuming it is multi-way)?

I am wondering if you might be correcting an issue with the speaker linearity/phase related (or not) to the crossover rather than just the room mode. Have you tried switching the left and right speakers and measuring to see what happens to isolate the room modes from any speaker issues? If so, what were the results? The 4db difference between them could be the room mode but the common 10db might be a speaker issue. A much rarer situation might be an issue with the measuring mic itself or an incorrect calibration file. Would be good to eliminate these as possibilities in case you have not.

If the PEQ is downstream of Dirac, then you should never see a cumulative +24 db since that area if corrected properly should measure without any troughs in the same area for Dirac to boost additionally in the same area. So, it would be useful to investigate why so much attenuation is needed to avoid clipping which would suggest Dirac is correcting cumulatively in the same area as the PEQ. Looking at the Dirac results should expose those.
 

Coach_Kaarlo

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Don't want to get into the ongoing spat with others or tell you what to do or not to do but I am just curious about understanding what is going on here with your system if you don't mind.

In terms of your original question, any gains you do in the digital domain can lead to digital clipping from the digital processing in the path. This is why attenuating it by that much was necessary to avoid digital clipping. But you can't necessarily get it back if you boost it back up before the digital handling that caused the clipping which could be in the DAC itself. On the other hand, in the analog domain, many amps can go above reference volume (THX seems to require it for the LFE portion and why LFE is recorded -10db attenuated in the standard encodings), so any gain needs to come downstream of the last digital processing that caused the digital clipping while staying well below amp clipping. As long as that happens you should be ok.

But in terms of making sure what is happening that is causing this situation...

Do you know what the crossover points are in your speakers (assuming it is multi-way)?

I am wondering if you might be correcting an issue with the speaker linearity/phase related (or not) to the crossover rather than just the room mode. Have you tried switching the left and right speakers and measuring to see what happens to isolate the room modes from any speaker issues? If so, what were the results? The 4db difference between them could be the room mode but the common 10db might be a speaker issue. A much rarer situation might be an issue with the measuring mic itself or an incorrect calibration file. Would be good to eliminate these as possibilities in case you have not.

If the PEQ is downstream of Dirac, then you should never see a cumulative +24 db since that area if corrected properly should measure without any troughs in the same area for Dirac to boost additionally in the same area. So, it would be useful to investigate why so much attenuation is needed to avoid clipping which would suggest Dirac is correcting cumulatively in the same area as the PEQ. Looking at the Dirac results should expose those.

Thanks for your response and no I do not mind.


Speakers are 3 way. Crossover points are 500Hz and 6kHz at -12 dB per octave.

I wondered myself regarding the phase/ linearity.

Can try swapping speakers while I re-measure - but I suspect corner v open wall is the culprit.

Mic has calibration file and I use the 90 deg version (not that it seems to make much difference with MMM).

My method is to measure, create a PEQ filter in REW. Then mount that filter in the respective channel of the miniDSP SHD Studio, and run the DIRAC measuring process. So presumably the PEQ is upstream from DIRAC because the measured responses DIRAC generates are much different with PEQ then without. It seems by popular opinion and measurement that this gives the best results with DIRAC if your room is quite bad. A valid argument has been made that excessive correction places demands on other areas of the system which may be net negative. Unfortunately all I can do is try the alternative method and see what the difference - if any - actually is.....
 

etc6849

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Can you add multiple subs and cross the speakers to the subs at 80Hz or 100Hz? Multiple subs throughout a room will fix your SPL issues and will negate needing to use that much EQ.

I kept adding subs to my room until I had +/-5dB with no EQ at all. It took 5 subs for me, but hopefully you are luckier. I also have 13 bass traps and absorption at first reflection points for a 5.1 system.

My subs are each time aligned and level match at the main listening position, then get summed together. My theater is using 3 Xilica XD4080 speaker processors, and I send digital AES to them from my PC (only playback device) using an RME HDSPe PCI-E card. I could use Dirac on my PC, and the PC software version lets you set the attenuation if I remember right.

Thanks for your response and no I do not mind.

Speakers are 3 way. Crossover points are 500Hz and 6kHz at -12 dB per octave.

I wondered myself regarding the phase/ linearity.

Can try swapping speakers while I re-measure - but I suspect corner v open wall is the culprit.

Mic has calibration file and I use the 90 deg version (not that it seems to make much difference with MMM).

My method is to measure, create a PEQ filter in REW. Then mount that filter in the respective channel of the miniDSP SHD Studio, and run the DIRAC measuring process. So presumably the PEQ is upstream from DIRAC because the measured responses DIRAC generates are much different with PEQ then without. It seems by popular opinion and measurement that this gives the best results with DIRAC if your room is quite bad. A valid argument has been made that excessive correction places demands on other areas of the system which may be net negative. Unfortunately all I can do is try the alternative method and see what the difference - if any - actually is.....
 

anmpr1

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I kept adding subs to my room until I had +/-5dB with no EQ at all. It took 5 subs for me... I also have 13 bass traps and absorption at first reflection points for a 5.1 system.
I don't think I've known anyone with five subs. I've never heard a system with that kind of bass power. I think five would be a lot for most people, but I understand your argument about minimizing EQ.

Out of curiosity, what program material do you find that necessitates the use of five subwoofers? I take it from your post that it is mostly movies and sound effects?, or is it helpful for music? If so, what sorts of recorded music are best enhanced by this setup? Is your room particularly large? Thanks in advance.
 

etc6849

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Columbia, SC
I don't use the subs anywhere near their rated power; I understand some might though. I am after absolute accuracy in sound reproduction.

I use five subs because more subs substantially reduces measured THD at the main listening position (MLP). Concurrently, it greatly helps get rid of any influence a small listening room makes even when no bass traps are used.

This plot is with no EQ. The slight slope is on purpse and I am using FIR filters for all speaker XOs, and the subs where I use a bessel XO. The difference is night and day compared to an ordinary setup with double digit THD measured acoustically at the MLP; usually measured around 10-20% at 30Hz vs .3% for my setup. THD improves as shown at 80Hz measuring .131% while most systems will still be double digital distortion or high single digit.

I would go as far to say that there is no comparison to any setup you have heard. The bass will be audibly more accurate. If you have an accurate drum recording, it absolutely sounds like someone is playing the drums.

FR THD 30 Hz(1).png


Front Right THD at MLP No EQ 10.28.2018 80Hz(1).png


I don't think I've known anyone with five subs. I've never heard a system with that kind of bass power. I think five would be a lot for most people, but I understand your argument about minimizing EQ.

Out of curiosity, what program material do you find that necessitates the use of five subwoofers? I take it from your post that it is mostly movies and sound effects?, or is it helpful for music? If so, what sorts of recorded music are best enhanced by this setup? Is your room particularly large? Thanks in advance.
 
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