For Room Correction DSP/Software- How often do you use it?


I’ve noticed more frequent questions regarding room correction/analysis tools lately- what to buy, what’s best and so on. I don’t own these tools as I hired out the service when setting up my room/equipment and have not felt the need to do so again.

For those that own such devices how frequently do you actually use it and what drives the need for its use? 
What is achieved from its use that is outside of more traditional approaches such as speaker placement, room treatment and/or component matching?
In the end did you find the purchase of the equipment a good investment? (whether low budget or expensive)

designsfx

Showing 4 responses by erik_squires

I should also point out that while many subs have some sort of dials, my experience has been the best, absolute best, sub integrations have happened using DSP controls. The combination of digital delay, phase adjustment, slope and EQ is just outstanding and makes the work of integrating a sub to the main speakers AND to the room much quicker.

Hey @designsfx 

I was speaking in broad, general terms.  Many of us aspire to purpose built rooms with perfect sound fields in them, but very few of us have them. 

So, if you are forced to put your speakers in less than ideal locations and/or can't treat the room DSP / EQ in general may be the only way you can make things better.

Even with a purpose built room, we are usually limited in size and that has consequences as well. Having DSP /EQ in your toolbox is a really great thing.  Besides the sub, another place where it becomes supremely useful is say with center channel speakers or speakers you have to place too close to a wall.

What is achieved from its use that is outside of more traditional approaches such as speaker placement, room treatment and/or component matching?

 

It’s a tool. In most rooms, a balance of room treatment and EQ, especially in the bass regions can really improve transparency.  When you can't control placement or room treatments EQ is the only option you have left.

For those that own such devices how frequently do you actually use it and what drives the need for its use? 

Um, every day?? I mean, I have configured it once, but I listen to it whenever my stereo is on.  I wrote about it extensively here: