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Looking for Room Measurement / Speaker Setup Software

I’ve gotten to the point where I am happy with the equipment I have (PS Audio Digital / VPI Super Scoutmaster Reference, NAT Preamp, Maker Audio Amp, Hansen Prince speakers), but I know the speakers could be better optimized. The setup is in a crappy room (too open, with a big couch) but it still sounds really good. Not great though.

Can anyone recommend software / hardware that I can by to measure frequency response at my listening position that I can use to adjust speaker placement? If I need separate hardware above & beyond my laptop that’s fine, though obviously something that works with the laptop’s hardware is more economical. I’m guessing we’re talking a good USB mic and some software but I have no idea what to get.

Thanks!

Ian     Palm Beach County, Florida
ihmeyers

Showing 4 responses by ihmeyers

ihmeyers OP
83 posts
 
Imhififan,

Does the REW software contain the necessary test tones or do I get those somewhere else?  Thanks.
Ian
ihmeyers OP
83 posts
 
Thank you both for your replies.  I have a bunch of GIK products in the room now and in the family room I use for HT.  They are really good people to work with.  I definitely want to take some measurements.  Even though I'm stuck with this less than optimal room (hopefully not for too much longer), maybe moving the speakers a few inches can make a difference.  If nothing else, I learn something about the room.
Regards,Ian
ihmeyers OP
83 posts
 
I am trying to find the best location for my speakers.  Tuning by ear has been effective but I still like to see what the frequency response looks like.  I also have a lot of diffusion/absorption products I can use to tune so I'd like to see their effect before & after visually.
As far as an EQ Preamp, I had a DSPeaker Anti-Mode 2.0.  While it certainly adjusted the room response it degraded SQ.  I had no idea how much until I tried it with/without in my system.  Maybe it was the extra cables involved but it was anything but transparent with my equipment.  I use Audysssey in my HT setup but I haven't heard anything transparent enough I'd use for my 2-channel.  I'm not saying something that good doesn't exist, just that it would probably be out of my price range.
Ian
ihmeyers OP
83 posts
 
Thanks.  The mic I get, what am I connecting the RCA cables to?  I assumed the software will read the levels/freq data the mic 'hears' and generate a graph of room response.
I am going to order this.

Ian
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