Paradigm S12 subwoofer and ARC room correction

[Lee Batchelor]

Hi all,

I just bought this sub, which is ARC ready. To use it, you must connect the sub and ARC mic to your computer via two USB cables.

Problem
My sound room is large and the mic measuring positions are over 16 feet away from the sub. USB cables beyond a certain length are not suited for this type of work. I live east of Toronto and for the life of me, I cannot find a source for buying the ARC mic and proper cables. How can they give you ARC ready inputs, free Anthem software, but make it nearly impossible to find suitable hardware and cables?

What am I missing here? Thanks...

 

[TLS Guy]

Hi all,

I just bought this sub, which is ARC ready. To use it, you must connect the sub and ARC mic to your computer via two USB cables.

Problem
My sound room is large and the mic measuring positions are over 16 feet away from the sub. USB cables beyond a certain length are not suited for this type of work. I live east of Toronto and for the life of me, I cannot find a source for buying the ARC mic and proper cables. How can they give you ARC ready inputs, free Anthem software, but make it nearly impossible to find suitable hardware and cables?

What am I missing here? Thanks...

I would say you are measuring too far away. Where is your usual listening position? If your room is as big as you say, you likely need more than one sub.

16' is the maximum length of a USB cable by the way, as any longer there would be data loss and they will not work.

We need to know more about your set up, as it sounds like something destined to fail with your current set up.

 

[Lee Batchelor]

Thanks for chiming in, TLS. My seating position is about 14 ' from the screen and the sub is to the right of the TV, on the floor. After I posted my original question, I had a thought. What if I situated my PC half way between the mic positions and the sub? That would split the distance in two. With your idea of 16' cables, I'd be all set for multiple measurements. The minimum is 5.

As a side note, the S12 sub sounds very good right out of the box, however I figured if it could be optimized, I'd be all set. Also, I'm the only one who listens to the system, so it's not as though I need full room perfection.

 

[Lee Batchelor]

ARC genesis correction software is impossible to use when the sub and seating area are far apart because of the required “mic and sub” simultaneously USB connection to a PC or laptop. Longer cables are very expensive and difficult to find. I have a support call into Paradigm. I'll post the results.

 

[TLS Guy]

ARC genesis correction software is impossible to use when the sub and seating area are far apart because of the required “mic and sub” simultaneously USB connection to a PC or laptop. Longer cables are very expensive and difficult to find. I have a support call into Paradigm. I'll post the results.

Using those so called room correction systems is not essential and very much optional. You can set your system by using a system like omni mic and by ear. I don't use them at all and find they downgrade most systems. Although the latest version of Audyssey did not significantly alter my set up. Previous versions caused havoc. My point is that they are not essential, but very much optional, and in my experience often do a lot more harm than good. So I would set your system how you like it and call it a day. I will say one more thing, and that is that I think the better your system the more likely they are to ruin it.

 

[Lee Batchelor]

That makes sense, TLS. I'm quite good with REW software. I could do an ordinary sweep and just move the S12 around a bit until I find the sweet spot. The S12 is connected to a Bluetooth transmitter, which connects to my Yamaha receiver, so anywhere there's a power chord, I'd be good to go.

Thanks again!