Speaker measurements to check for issues

[xkhjkdwq]

I recently bought a B stock Revel Salon2 speakers and wanted to check if they have any issue(since its a b stock) so I used the minidsp SHD and REW to measure the left and right speaker at the exact same location. The speaker location I chose was close to the middle of the room, 8ft from each sidewall and 7ft from frontwall. I then compared the SPL charts of the left and right speaker. My assumption is if there is an issue with one speaker I should be able to see it but of course if there is exact same issue in both then I won't know.

Few questions,
1. Is this a good way to check if my speakers don't have issue? If not what tests should I doing?
2. Based on the diffs mentioned below, does it point to an issue or is it normal variance between speakers? if its a issue, is it bad enough to return the speakers?

Below are the difference I found. I used a smoothing of 1/24.

368 Hz - 2.3db difference
32 Hz - 1.7db difference
408 Hz - 1.56db difference
315 Hz - 1.29db difference
Around 6 frequencies where the diff is around 1.08db
All other diffs are less than a 1db


I followed the below instructions(from chatgpt)

1) What you’ll need

• miniDSP SHD via USB (audio out)
• UMIK-1 mic via USB with the 0° cal file
• A tape measure + a chair/stand for the mic

2) Prep the room & speakers (2–3 min)

1. Bypass DSP on the SHD: Dirac OFF, PEQ OFF, XO OFF. Route 1→1 and 2→2.
2. Pull the speaker under test ~1 m from all walls if you can (this delays early reflections and makes gating cleaner).
3. Remove grilles and make sure nothing can rattle nearby.
4. Quiet the room (HVAC, fans).

3) Place the mic & aim (1 min)

1. Put the mic at exactly 1.00 m from the baffle of the speaker under test.
2. Height: center the capsule at the tweeter height.
3. Aim: mic pointed directly at the tweeter (use the 0° cal file).
4. Use a stand so you can repeat the same geometry on the other speaker.

4) REW I/O & level (1–2 min)

1. REW Preferences → Soundcard
   • Output device: miniDSP SHD (ch 1/2).
   • Input device: UMIK (load the 0° cal file).
   • Sample rate: 48 kHz.
2. Levels: In REW’s SPL meter, set sweep loudness to about 75–80 dB at the mic (safe, clean, repeatable).

5) Measure Left, then Right (1–2 min)

1. Mute Right channel (or disconnect), measure the Left at the 1 m/tweeter setup.
2. Without moving the stand height/angle, move the mic to the Right speaker, set distance to exactly 1.00 m, and measure the Right (mute Left).
3. Name the traces clearly:
   • “L 1 m on-axis (gated)”
   • “R 1 m on-axis (gated)”

6) Compare & read (1–2 min)

1. Open All SPL → Overlays and show both traces.
2. Smoothing: use 1/24 or 1/12 for this comparison (don’t over-smooth).
3. What “healthy” looks like:
   • From ~300 Hz–10 kHz, the two traces should track within about ±1 dB (tiny wiggles are normal).
   • Below ~300 Hz small differences are usually room.
   • Above ~10 kHz, small divergence can occur from micro-aim differences; keep aim precise.

 

[staticV3]

Is this a good way to check if my speakers don't have issue?

Only if you can precisely control room acoustics and speaker/mic placement.

If not what tests should I doing?

I'd do gated near field measurements and impedance response measurements if you have a Dayton DATS or similar.

Both can be compared to Stereophile measurements here: https://www.stereophile.com/content/revel-ultima-salon2-loudspeaker-measurements

 

[xkhjkdwq]

Only if you can precisely control room acoustics and speaker/mic placement.


I'd do gated near field measurements and impedance response measurements if you have a Dayton DATS or similar.

Both can be compared to Stereophile measurements here: https://www.stereophile.com/content/revel-ultima-salon2-loudspeaker-measurements

If I am placing both the speakers at the exact same location and also the mic. Nothing else changed in the room, so the room should have the same impact to both the speakers, no? I could apply gate to my above measurement but I did not since the room should impact both the speakers the same.

I don't have Dayton DATS. I was hoping if I can get by SHD and not buy anything just for measurements.