DSP based room correction, for the lazy

[gthack]

Thought I’d start a thread on this, rather than possibly derail other threads that are asking for more specific advice.

Whilst I think there’s a place for detailed room calculations and correction, I really don’t think I’ll ever go through the hassle, even if I bought equipment that supported it.

I also can’t be bothered with room treatment. And don’t want the intrusion of it into the house and listening environment.

I know that means I might be missing out, but it isn’t a set of compromises I want to make.

What I would consider is a device/function that does its best with my current sources. And ideally, but not necessarily, used my current speakers and in their current position. I don’t know how widely the same views might be held though!

I’d consider the following options

1. A preamp based system that played a test sweep with no specialist equipment and applied gross room correction for major bass/room nodes, possibly also correcting general trends in brightness.
2. An active speaker based system that did the same.

Both would work with all sources, which I think is important to most people?

On the speaker side, I think the Buchardt Anniversary 10 do a neat thing, offering room correction via their internal DSP. IIUC it does require a calibrated mic though. After reading the manuals for the Hypex active speaker modules, I can see the potential for modules like that to apply driver unit crossover and room correction functions.

Both approaches above appeal because they would enable all sources to be corrected. Unlike Roon, which wouldn’t help my turntable, or a streamer source with DSP, which also wouldn’t help my TT!

The problem with lots of this is the need for a calibrated mic. I wonder if a nearfield measurement could be made with a mobile phone, and calibrated sufficiently (it would have to be some sort of relative calibration) to negate the need for a measurement mic. Then use the phone at the listening position to record the same test sweep and fit a bunch of corrections to the resultant response to dial down room modes and/or deal with brightness issues. Ideally an app would walk me through the process, and not require a trained specialist to assist.

Anyway, mad ideas aside, anyone else really not into the palaver of room treatment, or asking a specialist dealer to calibrate their system, but would be up for a simpler solution if one existed?

I suspect a manufacturer who developed something useable might well do ok out of it?

And lastly, does something like this already exist?

[Camphuw]

You could try ‘HouseCurve’; it’s an app. However, if I recall, you may need to generate a standard signal. LP or digital should be possible.

[gthack]

Housecurve

This morning I found a reference to the iPad/iPhone app called housecurve. @anon91915252 has used it and I was wondering whether anyone else had used its filters? There is a thread by its developer on the Roon forum, which is is useful; and it uses the built in mics rather than external mics for the measurements.

[Innocent_Bystander]

@gthack

The problem with lots of this is the need for a calibrated mic.

Measuring microphones suitable for basic room correction, and other system measurements, are not particularly expensive, especially in the context of Naim or other high quality hifi gear.

[Innocent_Bystander]

There’s also this thread I started a few months ago:

DSP box for room correction, maybe also ‘loudness’ correction

Whilst treatment of rooms is the acoustically ideal way to improve/optimise the final part of a music replay system, and the only way to fix some issues like cancellations or near reflections, DSP can also be a valid tool, particularly in a domestic environment where physical treatment may not be practicable. DSP used for room correction has the added advantage of evening out frequency unevenness caused by any part of the system, not the room in isolation. It has been said that DSP causes audib…

(@Richard.Dane please merge if you think beneficial)

In th past I had an active system, with a DSP based AXO, which had some spare processong capacity which I used to dial out a few of the bigger peaks in my room, but now with different speakers and amp active is not on the cards.

What I found interesting with about the information about Linn Space Optimisation given in the current A smaller room thread was the indication that it is cleverer than just dialling out peaks, also doing other processing based on information about the room (though oddly with no actual sound analysis). Although the cost to add as a DSP box seems excessive, I did note that analogue sources can be fed through it, which may be of interest also to others: for me that would resolve a minor issue, as I prefer to run my DAC (Chord Dave) direct to power amp (MF A370), with no preamp modifying things, but when I want to use an analogue source such as when making music I have to change connections to add a pre.

[ryder]

@gthack

Whilst I think there’s a place for detailed room calculations and correction, I really don’t think I’ll ever go through the hassle, even if I bought equipment that supported it.

I also can’t be bothered with room treatment. And don’t want the intrusion of it into the house and listening environment.

Anyway, mad ideas aside, anyone else really not into the palaver of room treatment, or asking a specialist dealer to calibrate their system, but would be up for a simpler solution if one existed?

When I had a dedicated room for the hifi/home theatre back in the day, I dabbled in room treatment and had fond memories of conducting various experiments which later messed up the room, and then arranging for repairs thereafter. It was a rather fun journey.

After I moved to a new home, I no longer have a dedicated room as the system is now in the living room. FWIW i much prefer the system to be in an untreated living room than a fully treated dedicated room. It’s not only about sound quality but the feel of the environment, and it’s quite different between the two. Fortunately, the system sounds pretty fine in the untreated living room. I have a thick high pile rug on the floor, curtains on one side of the wall and optimised speaker placement.

I also don’t bother about room calculations, correction or measurements by using a microphone. The key is in optimising speaker placement once the spot to place the speakers has been ascertained. Other furniture or things near the speakers will affect sound quality too so the arrangement has been taken into consideration as well.

Perhaps I was fortunate that all my previous rooms were not problematic as the system(s) in those rooms sounded good to my ears. There was only an incident where the system sounded terribly poor in the bedroom mainly contributed by severe limitations with speaker placement and seating position. Before setting up the system, I knew the chances of a failure would be extremely high but I still went ahead with the plan just to be sure. Since it’s supposed to be a second system comprising surplus gear and speakers, it’s not to be taken seriously.

Lastly, as we strive to improve the sound quality of our systems to a certain level of satisfaction, nothing is perfect. We just have to live with compromises but most importantly, music must sound good or enjoyable to the listener.

[jlewis]

A worthy aim!
But, to reasonably dial out the room (frequencies, amplitudes and bandwidths) takes a bit of effort. Once done, it’s (in my experience) something I would not ever undo. My perspective is that my speakers and ampd ‘do’ bass.