Windows based digital crossover software

[Excalibur]

Hi all.

I'm looking for windows based digital crossover software for my 3 way speakers. Im using Ekio for integrating my main speakers to subwoofers and it is quite user friendly to use.
What are real world advantages in practice to use Acourate or Audiolense. I know that they are SOTA software but harder to use and cost more.
So, is it worth to upgrade from Ekio? Will it sound better?

Regards.

 

[Excalibur]

Finally some time again for this hobby. The question is still relevant. What do I gain in practical and sound terms with the upgrade?
Any other suggestion?

 

[TheLastGerman]

Have you read that yet?

 

[Keith_W]

You need two pieces of software:

1. Software to design and generate filters. See above thread about Audiolense vs. Acourate. There are a few others on the market now - Focus Fidelity, Eclipse Audio's FIR Designer. And there's also LinFIR - the author is on ASR and the software is free. I would try that first.

2. A convolver. This mixes the filter together with music in real time to create the crossover. Some music players have built-in convolvers (JRiver and Roon), but otherwise you have to use a third party convolver. CamillaDSP is free, but it's a real bitch to set up. There are paid options, like Hang Loose Convolver. IMO it's the best convolver in the market.

 

[Excalibur]

Yes, I’ve read the link above. I believe that programs like Audiolense and Acourate are the best in absolute terms. I’m mainly interested in how much I would actually gain if I went down this route and replaced EKIO.

 

[Keith_W]

If I am not mistaken, EKIO is minimum-phase IIR. I don't know if it can do linear-phase FIR. Both Acourate and Audiolense are specialized FIR filter design programs. Audiolense is more automated, Acourate is more manual. More manual means steeper learning curve, but also more flexibility. Do you actually need the power of linear-phase FIR? Well, read this thread and watch Mitch's video:

Yes, it's almost 2 hours long. But Mitch's view can be summarized as: if you want state of the art DSP, you need linear phase.