I think I have a problem and need treatment...

[Walt]

I have recently setup my room and many people have told me to get treatments. From all the reviews they seem to make a huge difference. I've never experienced a treated room so I don't know what to expect.

I calibrated my speakers over the weekend and when I went to calibrate the sub there was no way I could set it to match my other speakers because it was very boomy. I've got it about 7db lower and it sounds okay but I know it can sound better. Everything you see was purchased in a months time and I didn't allocate any money for treatments so I will need to do this in stages...maybe one piece a month? I would also like to have posters on my walls and I don't see loading it up even if that's what will make it sound the best.

The room is 16 x 23. Speakers are 550 Rockets, bigfoot and 300's. Sub is PB12-Plus/2.

Watcha think?????

 

[Adam]

Watcha think?????

I think that I'm jealous! Nice set-up.

For the boominess of the sub, have you run a test tone CD and tracked the output as a function of frequency? You can tune that sub to different frequencies, and that can drop down the output at certain frequencies to reduce some boominess. Also, if you have the piano black (can't tell from the photo, but it looks like it might be), it should have a parametric equalizer to let you tame one bump in the frequency band. When I got my PC-Ultra, I ran through a test tone CD and had two bumps in the output - one around 25 Hz and one around 60 Hz. I got rid of the 25 Hz bump by tuning the sub down to 15 Hz (and using room compensation that I don't think your sub has), and I got rid of the 60 Hz bump by using the PEQ.

Anyway, again...nice set-up!

Adam

 

[Walt]

No test tone CD yet. I used the tones from my yammie. That sounds like a good start with minimal cost. It is the piano black sub.

I've read a lot about GIK treatments and they're reasonably priced. Anyone have an idea of where to start with those?

Thanks for the compliment!

 

[avaserfi]

No test tone CD yet. I used the tones from my yammie. That sounds like a good start with minimal cost. It is the piano black sub.

I've read a lot about GIK treatments and they're reasonably priced. Anyone have an idea of where to start with those?

Thanks for the compliment!

Many acoustic companies like GIK will make recommendations based on your room and set up if you email them. So thats what I would suggest. Send them some pictures/floor plans and your gear and they will help you out.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Very nice set up. What stand is that? It looks like it will hold my center and all my gear. I have been unable to find one so far that will fit everything and looks nice too.

I also agree that you could call GIK; your room looks easy to treat compared to mine.

Best of luck!

 

[OttoMatic]

Hi Walt,

If you feel your sub is too boomy, I'd recommend starting with some type of parametric EQ. RoomEQWizard is a tool that will allow you to measure the frequency response of your system, especially as applied to the low end. It's free.

After you determine your frequency response, you'll want an EQ like the Behringer BFD1124 or perhaps a Velodyne SMS-1. They both have their benefits. I use the Behringer, and you just can't beat it for its price tag (you can find them for less than $100).

After that, go for room treatments.

Nice room!

 

[Walt]

The stand is the Plateau SR Series 75 in espresso. There is a glass shelf for the center area and frosted glass doors that slide the width of the stand but they just get in the way. My center is rather large and it was the only model I could find that had the room without going DIY.

I think I may email GIK and see what they say. Thanks!

 

[mtrycrafts]

I have recently setup my room and many people have told me to get treatments. From all the reviews they seem to make a huge difference. I've never experienced a treated room so I don't know what to expect.

I calibrated my speakers over the weekend and when I went to calibrate the sub there was no way I could set it to match my other speakers because it was very boomy. I've got it about 7db lower and it sounds okay but I know it can sound better. Everything you see was purchased in a months time and I didn't allocate any money for treatments so I will need to do this in stages...maybe one piece a month? I would also like to have posters on my walls and I don't see loading it up even if that's what will make it sound the best.

The room is 16 x 23. Speakers are 550 Rockets, bigfoot and 300's. Sub is PB12-Plus/2.

Watcha think?????
]

As otto mentioned, you need to analyze your room's acoustics with those speakers. Otherwise you have no idea what problems you have that needs solving.
You also need a Radio Shack analog spl meter to level match your speakers with receiver internal test tones or a test disc used to adjust video like Avia.
You cannot do it by ear.

After that, if the sub is still boomy, that is a room issue that the Behringer can cut very nicely as it is extremely flexible what frequency, width, and amount. But, you need to know what the room response is. From the sound of it, you have normal but serious low frequency issues. Hard to get it right without the right tools.

 

[bpape]

There are a couple of things I'd do to try to maximize the performance right now.

- Get the sub out of the corner. Corners give you the most output but also usually the most ragged frequency response.

- See if you can get a little more space behind your seating. Being closer to a boundary like that will only increase the modal issues and boominess.

That said, you'll still need some treatment in the room for decay time purposes. That room is large enough that the modes will be pretty deep. If budget is tight right now, I'd start with a pair of 244's straddling a couple of the room corners. Then, later when budget allows, move them to the front wall behind the main speakers (or on the back wall behind your head) and replace them with Tri Traps that will go deeper.

You'll also eventually need to deal with the side wall reflection points. 242's are an excellent cost effective choice for that application.

Bryan

 

[Walt]

I used a Nady SPL meter to calibrate my speakers. That's how I determined the sub was 7db lower.

I have played around with sub placement for a couple of weeks. It's a pain to move around by myself but I've managed to move it to the right of my TV before my right main, rear corner, behind my seats in many different areas and in the "cubby" near the exit. I actually liked it in the cubby but I'm hoping to use that area for something else. I also liked it directly behind me but it was way too boomy. I guess I wouldn't need buttkickers if I left it there..haha

I'll check out the room EQ and see about purchasing a couple pieces and go from there.

Thanks!

 

[OttoMatic]

I used a Nady SPL meter to calibrate my speakers. That's how I determined the sub was 7db lower.

I'm not familiar with that meter, but unless you do an analysis of the sub across its frequency range, it's hard to tell what the problems are. Many meters will display an SPL reading that's at the hottest frequency being measured. That is, if you are 83 dB at 77 Hz, and lower at all other frequencies, it'll measure 83 dB. The bottom line is that it can be somewhat misleading to measure averages rather than a real frequency response.

Once you figure out where your problems are, you can start to address them with EQ and/or room treatments.

Have fun. It can be a long process (I need to do room treatments myself!). Good luck.

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

I don't think it's necessary to make the treatment process into a complex science project. I guess you can make the process as complex & difficult as you choose to make it, but all you really need to do is follow basic room treatment principles to achieve your desired results.

My 2 cents.... use the KISS approach. Fix the corners and first reflections, and you're set.

 

[Johnd]

I don't think it's necessary to make the treatment process into a complex science project. I guess you can make the process as complex & difficult as you choose to make it, but all you really need to do is follow basic room treatment principles to achieve your desired results.

My 2 cents.... use the KISS approach. Fix the corners and first reflections, and you're set.

I totally agree Buckeye_Nut. On a budget, I would first address first reflections, and then corners if necessary. If budget allows and necessity dictates, you can go further. But one or both of these steps will go a long way in the most average of rooms.

 

[Walt]

To be honest it does seem pretty confusing after reading about this over the weekend. Some of the people at AVS are brutal. I just can't get into all the "science" behind room accoustics. I'm a network administrator and have enough on my mind..haha

I'm usually the lurker that tries to figure it out on my own but I thought I would just ask this time. I was actually hoping that if I add a couple panels on my walls and traps up front would make a difference.

I met Mark Seaton a couple months ago and watched him setup a few subs and it was a lengthy process. I just want my system to sound good. Right now it does, just boomy.

I think I may order a couple panels from GIK next month and then ask the wife for some traps for Christmas. I'm sure this will make a big difference in my setup.

 

[AVRat]

Here's an article that may help you set up the sub: http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/get-good-bass/subwoofer-calibration-using-rives-audio-test-cd-2

 

[bpape]

Setting up a sub properly can certainly take some time. However, there is certainly improvement to be had and best of all it's free. Same thing with playing with seating position.

Bryan

 

[abefroeman]

Try putting the sub inbetween the left speaker and the TV, then try it between the right speaker and the TV. One of those two should help with the boomyness.

Also, get those nice speakers away from that wall! 2' to 3' minimum.

 

[abefroeman]

I hate to raise this as a point, but do you have any idea what the width of those great looking chairs are? Do you think you can align your home theater to face the window?

 

[abefroeman]

Hey man,

I would like to give you some ideas for your HT that I think would really improve the sound, including the boominess that you have mentioned.

First, the biggest drawback to your setup is the direction that it is facing. Acoustically speaking, it is ideal for the room to be set up so that when watching the movie you are facing in the direction of the "long way" of the room, not the direction you face when watching movies.

Second, I see that you have in wall surrounds and it would suck to have to change, but if you are interesed in getting into this hobby a bit more, then pointing the HT at that window should be something for you to consider.

You may not have to do that much re-wiring of your inwall surrounds because the location of your current right surround (as your setup is right now) would make a great location for a left surround when the HT is facing the window. Then you would put the other one on the opposite wall in the same spot.

Third, if your wide couch is a problem (when the HT faces the window) you might be able to split up the couch into 2 rows of seating. You could keep 3 seats in the front row and get a cheap riser to elevate the second row of 2 seats. It would look pretty cool, I think.

Fourth, in general it is good to keep your main speakers and center channel away from the wall. Your speakers are right up against the wall and you can't really move them much closer because of the layout of the room. Big speakers against a wall might cause boominess.

When orienting the HT toward the window you could then space the entire entertainment center (including speakers, TV stand, and TV) away from the wall by about 4' to 6' this would give your speakers some room to breathe, it would keep you close to the TV and give you tons of placement options for the sub.

Just a thought.