In-Room responce measurement with Legacy Focus SE speakers

This looks like a lot, but is fairly straightforward

Legacy

These speakers are high sensitivity 95.4, it is not the amplification.

Use science, facts, to find basic information. Then go from there.

In the end, it’s your and/or his ears to make final adjustments

Measure your space, then measure your father’s space. Hmmmmm. I would tell him you want to know what you are missing, rather than what is wrong with his. You know him best.

1. Inexpensive Sound Pressure Level Meter (they do not have to be perfectly calibrated or accurate, just give you ‘relative answers’ as to the differences of the tested frequencies).

Make sure it has bottom threads for a tripod

https://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-Pressure-30-130dBA-Warranty/dp/B00ECCZWWI/ref=pd_ci_mcx_mh_mcx_views_0?pd_rd_w=9C7f4&content-id=amzn1.sym.225b4624-972d-4629-9040-f1bf9923dd95%3Aamzn1.symc.40e6a10e-cbc4-4fa5-81e3-4435ff64d03b&pf_rd_p=225b4624-972d-4629-9040-f1bf9923dd95&pf_rd_r=HADBE7E3TSGCJCQ5FSB0&pd_rd_wg=0k7W6&pd_rd_r=3cbb90e6-11c0-4da6-9e6c-5eadd5dd7557&pd_rd_i=B00ECCZWWI&th=1

 

2. Test Tones: CD (not LP) this one, Amazing Bytes has 29 1/3 octave frequencies, individually selectable. two of them well priced available now.

https://www.discogs.com/sell/release/7290000?ev=rb

 

3. Tripod, position meter at listening position, seated ear level

 

4. record results. I make enlarged copies of the booklet’s page, record the results. compare your initial, father’s initial will tell you something.

5. improve frequency balance, still using measurements.

5a. The Manual has specific information:

https://d2digq31msfd9c.cloudfront.net/uploads/manuals/Focus-SE-Manual-2021_opt.pdf

Pg 7, speaker placement

Pg 21: Bass Equalization

Pg 22: Built-In Fine Tuning (rear toggles switches): Treble: 0, -2db; Bass 0, -2db

5b. refine speaker location and toe-in, still using the meter. Distance from rear/side walls, toe-in;

5c. stuff rear port, what lost? what improved? If stuffed is best, then refine 5b.

5d. further adjustments:

1. preamp tone controls

2. preamp built in equalizer

3. external equalizer with bypass

Mine: dbx 2231: dual channel 31 1/3 octave frequencies; bypass; optional noise reduction.

https://dbxpro.com/en-US/products/2231

1. Find a curve that the meter says is best
2. Find a curve that your ears say is best.

I am having a hearing test soon. At age 75, I am sure they will find something(s). After that, I can try using the equalizer without hearing aids. That’s just for me, not listening with you or others. Thus use bypass to get back to ‘normal’

Next, I may get hearing aids, who knows. What refinements when the hearing aids are in?

I bought this version of the DBX from Amazon (already in USA, returnable). Absolutely Identical. I needed XLR/RCA adapters, then I could use my existing cables

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NAK4BE8?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

 

 

 

eric is right,

my method is to find the best you can, then consider room treatments, not start/try/guess room treatments without measurements.

I understand you young whippersnappers like sweeps, software, automatic calibration ...

I like single tones, every 1/3 octave, hand written chart. old school!

To attach a screen shot, any photo, it has to be on the web, not on your computer.

There may be easier ways, this is what I figured out:

I make a new virtual system, i.e. dads floor plan, import the screen saver (jpeg) to the virtual system. that gets it on the web.

right click the photo and copy image address (not the photo)

next, in your post: using the photo icon top bar (6th from left), paste the image address (url)

....................

after that, you can delete the virtual system if you want.

Build a Listening Room within the Basement,

say13 wide x 20 deep, x your height (NOT a square) Then your materials/surfaces/reflections will be much easier to deal with.

Others can suggest ’better’ room sizes, and then, within that space, try the speakers on the short end, or along the longer side walls

I have always had my speakers on the short ’front’ end, i.e. currently

https://www.audiogon.com/systems/9511

btw, my speakers are on wheels, easily adjusted toe-in for one listener or two (both off-center), and: for best listening, I roll them forward and in, further away from rear and side walls.