Is DEQX a game changer?


Just read a bit and it sure sounds interesting. Does it sound like the best way to upgrade speakers?
ptss

Showing 3 responses by forrestc

I've been a DEQX owner since 2012 and I'm now on my second DEQX (HDP Express II) and I completely agree with Drewan77. The DEQX is truly a unique product. For me it was a total game changer coming from a very good analog electronic crossover, but you cannot just plug the DEQX in your system, power it up and start enjoying it. In fact, if you are doing it yourself, it takes quite a bit of time and with a complete understanding of the process with its pitfalls as well as the parameters that are to be adjusted in order to get a truly successful calibration. Making a DEQX calibration attempt with an "entry level" understanding may yield noticeably better results than without the DEQX, but almost assuredly you will have left a great bit of improvement on the table that you can try to recover bit more on your next attempt. I've probably done ten DEQX calibrations now on two different systems, and I still learn something new about the process each time.

For a better understanding of exactly what the DEQX does and how it does it, Kim Ryrie, the inventor of the DEQX, in interviewed in a series of YouTube videos you may find to be informative. In one of these videos Kim states that with the DEQX, speaker designers should focus on producing the lowest distortion driver possible and not to worry about phase and group delay issues since the DEQX is quite capable of successfully managing these issues on its own.

One thing that I should point out when you, or even if you are using the DEQX-Expert service to set-up your DEQX is that you really need to use the Earthworks M23 or M30 calibration mic with its associated proprietary DEQX calibration file loaded. The basic Behringer calibration mic and its generic calibration file will get you started, but really doesn’t yield the results that anyone here would probably be looking for.

I have my DEQX configured (currently) as follows:

Apogee Duetta Signature main speakers with GR Research/Rythmik subs
Bi-amp with stereo subwoofers
Apogee ribbons crossover: 920 Hz - 96 db/oct linear slope
Subs to Apogee bass: 80 Hz - 24 db/oct Linkwitz-Riley slope.
Subs time aligned to the Apogees.
Speaker correction above 500Hz.
Conservative amount of room correction below 110 Hz.





For those thinking about measuring outside, for practical reasons I don't do it. The last DEQX calibration that I was involved was with a pair Apogee Full Range and at 300 pounds each they ain't going anywhere! Measuring outside lengthens the time it takes for the calibration microphone to hear the first reflection. Longer the time until the first reflection, the lower in frequency your calibration will be accurate. Recently, after talking with Nyal Mellor of Acoustic Frontiers, I normally don't try to correct anything below 500 or 600HZ anymore. I seem to get better results now rather than trying to correct all the way down to 250 to 300 Hz or so which is usually where the first reflection places its limit on lower-end calibration when measured indoors.

Normally when I do a DEQX calibration indoors, I move the each speaker (if movable) one at a time to the center of the room and perform a measurement then move it back. I also toss some blankets of the floor between the microphone and the speaker to be measured, then perform the measurement. The first reflection usually comes from the floor or ceiling.

What I saying is that by not measuring the speakers outdoors is by no means a deal breaker. You can get great result measuring indoors. Just use the Earthworks M23 or M30 calibration mic. If you have large speakers with large ribbon drivers or large array like Apogees, you will probably find that you will get the best results if you measure the speakers anywhere from 5- to 7-feet back rather than the recommended 3-feet.
Using your DEQX as your DAC works very well and is highly recommended.

Al, I would bet that with a little more configuration tweaking you will be able to get even better results than you have now. Ultimately, you many need to take a few more speaker measurements at different distances to really nail it. But listen to it like it is for a good while before you make any changes.

BTW, even if you thoroughly know what you're doing when it comes setting up the DEQX, which I'm most certainly sure that your person giving the demo does, by devoting some extra time to the configuration you will usually find room for improvement, and often times substantial improvement, over your initial calibration.

Enjoy listening to music through your corrected system!