RPhilbeck wrote on Fri, 10 November 2006 10:30 |
How realistic is this claim? Do you suppose we'll be seeing bass traps in the museum real soon? |
Quote: |
Another common misconception is that equalization can be used to counter the effects of acoustic problems. But since every location in the room responds differently, no single EQ curve can give a flat response everywhere. Over a physical span of just a few inches the frequency response can vary significantly. Even if you aim to correct the response only where you sit, there's a bigger problem: It's impossible to counter very large cancellations. If acoustic interference causes a 25 dB dip at 60 Hz, adding that much boost with an equalizer to compensate will reduce the available volume (headroom) by the same amount. Such an extreme boost will increase low frequency distortion in the loudspeakers too. And at other room locations where 60 Hz is already too loud, applying EQ boost will make the problem much worse. Even if EQ could successfully raise a null, the large high-Q boost needed will create electrical ringing at that frequency. Likewise, EQ cut to reduce a peak will not reduce the peak's acoustic ringing. EQ cannot always help at higher frequencies either. If a room has ringing tones that continue after the sound source stops, EQ might make the ringing a little softer but it will still be present. However, equalization can help a little to tame low frequency peaks (only) caused by natural room resonance, as opposed to peaks and nulls due to acoustic interference, if used in moderation. |
franman wrote on Fri, 17 November 2006 22:38 |
we've drifted off topic a little, but as we're discussing Room EQ for monitors systems I'll stick in my 2 cents.. 1. It can be helpful to flatten and smooth "to taste" overall monitor response.. 2. It can be helpful when used as Cuts or notches for smoothing Low Freq response in the mix position. 3. New DSP controllers in multi-way systems can help calibrate time alignment at crossover points, based in listening distance, etc... It Can't: 4. Get you back that 16dB hole at 60Hz!! 5. Make your old high distortion monitors sound better at high levels. 6. Compensate for some monitors apparent varying response at different levels, which most likely (in larger monitors) is based on distortion levels rising dramatically above certain SPL levels... 7. Fix a BAD ROOM!! 8. Replace the functionality of proper bass trapping |
franman wrote on Fri, 17 November 2006 22:38 |
5. Make your old high distortion monitors sound better at high levels. 6. Compensate for some monitors apparent varying response at different levels, which most likely (in larger monitors) is based on distortion levels rising dramatically above certain SPL levels... |
wwittman wrote on Mon, 04 December 2006 23:13 | ||
so out of curiosity... what big, loud monitors DO you recommend or spec in your designs? |