Do YOU have a flat frequency response in your room?

I had forgotten I wrote a piece about in room responses here:

The pro version of Audyssey let’s you use 100% custom curves, the upgrade license is $200 and a calibrated mic about $50. Anyone with a D&M product that is able to use the $20 app can get a trial version of it at the Microsoft store.

I am overall pro-DSP, but my experience with Anthem’s Room Correction is that it’s OK. I felt I did better when I EQ’d the room myself. One mistake I made, and for me it was a big one, I assumed Anthem’s ARC would let me use 100% custom EQ curves and that’s absolutely not the case.

On the other hand, for a system where you barely have to touch anything I can definitely see the appeal of ARC. I wish I had infinite funds and time to try Dirac as an alternative for instance.

no

@erik_squires , nice job on the attention to detail :)

I was using audyssey and it was better than nothing. Then I used the room treatment method that Anthony Grimani discusses in that video I posted earlier and it was infinitely better. Got my MLP setup to the specs laid out by dolby required moving the MLP from the back of the room to the middle of the room. Finally I made the leap to the pro version of Audyssey, got the kit with the calibrated mic and the license upgrades and finally achieved what I wanted. All in it was much less expensive than buying a new processor.

@kota1  I used OmniMic for the speaker analysis, and XSim for crossover simulation.

@erik_squires , great example of how you dialed in the FR you wanted before chasing gear to get better SQ. Did you use the mic that came with your receiver for your measurements or something else?

Not posting curves, but I designed my speakers to follow the Bruel & Kjaer recommended room curves.  Yes, as Troels Graveson has written, sometimes when you make a speaker you end up finding the ideal listening position is not the ideal measurement position.  In the case of the SNR-1 they just  sound much better on the m id-woofer axis.

@erik_squires , I checked out your virtual system and we both use Mogami cables, Isoacoustic stands, and maple platforms. We also took care to treat the room and the ceiling, nice. If you are using ARC can you post the before and after of your FR in your system profile? If not, NP. It would simply be interesting to discuss.How were you able to dial in the placement of your speakers, are they higher than ear level on those stands?

@mikelavigne , you obviously have dialed in your room meticulously, did you use any dsp? I noted in another thread that we are both using Auralex diffusors. You are using the T-fusors on I think the first reflection point? I’m using the Gefusors backfilled with polyfil for some absorption on the ceiling above the MLP and on the ceiling in the rear corners of the room.

@mikelavigne , I agree that is a better question, asking if you have the frequency response that you want. To get that answer though you would have to measure it and compare it to a flat response to determine which is preferred. Some speakers are designed to take out the harshness around 2 to 4hz and build in a "gundry dip".

Marantz has a target curve within Audyssey, there is a "Harman" curve as well, good point. Let me rephrase and say that until you know what your desired FR curve is and have achieved it, spending money on new gear is rather frivolous. You still need to measure the FR and dial it in before new purchases to avoid the dangers of an audio money pit. However, you can’t really be too far off base with simply a flat curve to get started.

@erik_squires , I have done some research, here is a good foundation. Even if you don’t agree that flat is your preference, you need to get your preferred response before buying new components. Imagine not liking your speakers, buying new ones, and then finding out the real issue wasn’t the speakers but the FR of getting the speakers dialed into the room.

From "The Measurement and Calibration of Sound Reproducing Systems-1. Introduction"

Flat on-axis frequency response is clearly the engineering objective for most of these systems. Those that deviate significantly earn lower ratings in double-blind subjective evaluations. Although there is more to be considered, a flat direct sound delivered to listeners is the basis for most reproduced sound.

Fletcher Munson Curve with emphasis on, sometimes less is more.

It isn't just an opinion, it's provably false.  The OP has done very little research.

kota1

The most basic truth of audio for the last 30 years is listeners prefer a flat frequency response.

Opinion stated as fact.

Except this just isn't true.  Flat = super bright sounding.

two better questions are;

is a flat frequency response in your room desired? if not, what type of FR curve is preferred?

and if you are going down this road, what is the frequency response at your listening position? are there any big humps or dips....at that seating position?

i’m not one who really cares that much about the measurement. i want subjectively a smooth extended high end, transparent mids, and lively bass. with an ultimate cohesive and balanced sound.

but i did have my speaker designer set up my twin tower speakers in my room at one point, it was fairly flat except for a 30hz suckout due to a whole ceiling bass trap. later i sealed the bass trap and had to redo my bass tower adjustments to remove his previous compensation for that suckout.

my speakers on paper have a -3db extension to 7hz and a -6db extension to 3hz. so some serious bass capability.

subjectively i’m very happy with my bass performance. visitors to my room seem to like my bass and it is very cohesive and lively. with plenty of extension. but the bass does not call attention to itself or distract from the music.