Speaker/Room calibration

[Bruce B]

In the next few weeks, I will attempt to calibrate my speakers to my room. I will post graphs before and after as well as tell you what was done to (try) correct any deficiencies. As most of you know, when we put speakers in a room, sometimes we get the dealer to set them up... sometimes not. After a few months, after they've broken in, we're on our own. So instead of hiring Bob Hodas again or flying the designer to my room, I will attempt to do this myself.. with your help.

My speakers, Evolution Acoustics MM3, have a vast amount of flexibility as far as settings you can adjust. The settings as they stand now, are flat. They sound great but I've always wondered if I can get that last 1-2% out of them.

The equipment I will be using is:

Room EQ Wizard
Smaart v.7

Earthworks M50

M-Audio Pro Track via USB

Toshiba Tecra Business Laptop (modified)

For adjustments, I will mainly be using what is available on the back of the speakers. If I need more, I also have 2 analog parametic equalizers, the Crane Song IBIS and the Meyer Sound Lab CP-10.
I will also try a couple of digital EQ's that I have, the Sony Oxford and the Algorithmix.

Wish me luck!

[jazdoc]

Bruce,

Thanks for sharing this (hopefully not too long) journey. I suspect most of us who follow along vicariously will learn a great deal.

[treitz3]

Hello, Bruce. Will you be using the Cardas method or maybe the Sumiko setup to first place your speakers or are you going to let the numbers decide where to place them as you go?

[Bruce B]

Hello, Bruce. Will you be using the Cardas method or maybe the Sumiko setup to first place your speakers or are you going to let the numbers decide where to place them as you go?

Because of size/weight of speakers and dimensions of the room, I have about 8" fore/aft and 12" side to side movement. Don't know if that will make any difference but I can sure try. The speakers are on Wave Kinetics 2NS footers, so I can slide them fairly easily. The room is 13' wide.

There is an initial setup guide on the EA website.

Short wall Placement

[NorthStar]

Bruce, good luck!

[rbbert]

That appears to be very similar to the "Cardas method". How long is your room, and the height? The speakers appear to be large for the room?

[c1ferrari]

That's exciting, Bruce ;-)
I'm thinking of exploring Smaart as well.

[Bruce B]

That appears to be very similar to the "Cardas method". How long is your room, and the height? The speakers appear to be large for the room?

the measurements are 13' x 22' x 10.5'

Almost 1/3rd of the cubic volume is bass trapping

[NorthStar]

Those are very decent (more than decent) dimensions. ... Even for a Home Theater room.

[Bruce B]

... Even for a Home Theater room.

Even for a basement!