EQ with Velodyne SMS-1

[jeanseb]

Ok, so I just got my SMS-1

Here's what I've been able to do after a couple hours of fine tuning. you will find the before/after attached.

Tell me what you think about it. Is it ok?

Thanks!

 

[jostenmeat]

Ok, so I just got my SMS-1

Here's what I've been able to do after a couple hours of fine tuning. you will find the before/after attached.

Tell me what you think about it. Is it ok?

Well, because your adjustments are all extreme, as far as the unit's capabilities, I wonder how much you can do to help by addressing sub positioning, listener positioning, and room treatments first.

You can use the SMS1, defeating your setting for now, and move your subs, and particularly YOURSELF, in finding better positions.

After you find the best natural positions (and room treatments will actually make placements more flexible), you can THEN use the SMS1 to help address what can't be "naturally" fixed, or of course for other adjustments to taste.

 

[jeanseb]

Well, because your adjustments are all extreme, as far as the unit's capabilities, I wonder how much you can do to help by addressing sub positioning, listener positioning, and room treatments first.

You can use the SMS1, defeating your setting for now, and move your subs, and particularly YOURSELF, in finding better positions.

After you find the best natural positions (and room treatments will actually make placements more flexible), you can THEN use the SMS1 to help address what can't be "naturally" fixed, or of course for other adjustments to taste.

I totally agree with you. My subs' placement are far from being top notch. The problem is that all my wires are in-wall, and that I have to respect the furniture placement, etc.

It now sound completly different than it use to be, way more "reference" like.

Are those "extreme" adjustment can be a problem?

 

[jostenmeat]

Are those "extreme" adjustment can be a problem?

Depends who you ask, but normally people would advise what I have above. Some of the limitations of the SMS1 are that it's for only one position (which might be perfectly fine with you), but that the resolution is not nearly enough to do, as you say, a "reference" calibration. It seems to me, that today, the SMS1 is used just as often to dial in personal preference after calibration via some other auto calibration like Audyssey MultEQ XT or MCAAC, as it is for calibration on its own.

Since it seems that the above advice is impossible, I will hope that someone else can teach you what you need to know.

FWIW, it could be listener placement, and if it is, how about sliders on the couch feet. Move the couch for critical listening only, and put it back for all other times?

 

[Davemcc]

The volume level of the SMS-1 should be set at somewhere near 15. That is the unity gain point where the input level matches the output level. Running it at 47 seems quite high.

 

[bandphan]

Are those "extreme" adjustment can be a problem?

Can be taxing on the amp, run it in auto and see what you get. Also agree w/Dave on the level.

 

[jeanseb]

The volume level of the SMS-1 should be set at somewhere near 15. That is the unity gain point where the input level matches the output level. Running it at 47 seems quite high.

Can be taxing on the amp, run it in auto and see what you get. Also agree w/Dave on the level.

I use "Max Payne" as reference to test my set up. Before the EQing, the low bass was way too dominant but I couldn't hear the impact of the gun shots.

Now I've never heard any subs as tight as mine are now (never heard EQed sub before). I don't know if my settings are good or bad, but they do sound real and "theater-like".

As for the volume, is it a diffecrence between jacking up the "sub volume" vs. the "SMS-1 volume"?

 

[Davemcc]

As for the volume, is it a diffecrence between jacking up the "sub volume" vs. the "SMS-1 volume"?

Pretty much.

 

[jeanseb]

Pretty much.

Pretty much... Those that mean yes or no?

 

[rmk]

Pretty much... Those that mean yes or no?

It's all relative. You can increase the "volume" on the DLS, increase the LFE level on you AVR/SSP or decrease the volume on the SMS-1 for a zero net gain. I agree with many of the comments here but if you are liking the sound then you are golden.

BTW, try moving the mic to different locations during the SMS-1 frequency sweeps. This will give you an interesting acoustic picture of you room for the <125Hz frequencies. It's a hobby ... go play.

 

[jeanseb]

I agree with you guys too. But the problem here is space and furniture constraint.

I have to live with it.

Thanks to all of you for your help!

 

[Davemcc]

Pretty much... Those that mean yes or no?

That means yes. Turn down the SMS-1 and turn up the sub's volume. You could also turn up the LFE level on the receiver but that is also a potential for increasing distortion into the signal which will be amplified by the sub's amp. The sub's own amp will likely introduce less distortion than the line level amps of the receiver or the SMS-1.

 

[anamorphic96]

With my SMS - 1 I made a cut that was pretty extreme to get rid of a huge peak around 48hz. The other adjustments where boosting some frequencies.

From the reading I have done and the people I have spoke with at Dolby, Velodyne, HSU and some other engineers in the cinema industry. It is ok to be somewhat agressive in cutting. However when boosting frequencies you want to make sure you don't boost frequencies that are close to each other. Often refereed to as stacking. As long as they are away from each other a 3 to 6db boost is ok if needed but be cautious. Especially at lower frequencies. Just don't stack the boosting of frequencies.

As stated before try working with placement when possible.

Like the OP I only have 2 decent spots so I had to boost some frequencies. But only 3db to get within 3db.

Hopefully this makes sense. Its getting kinda late.

 

[jeanseb]

With my SMS - 1 I made a cut that was pretty extreme to get rid of a huge peak around 48hz. The other adjustments where boosting some frequencies.

From the reading I have done and the people I have spoke with at Dolby, Velodyne, HSU and some other engineers in the cinema industry. It is ok to be somewhat agressive in cutting. However when boosting frequencies you want to make sure you don't boost frequencies that are close to each other. Often refereed to as stacking. As long as they are away from each other a 3 to 6db boost is ok if needed but be cautious. Especially at lower frequencies. Just don't stack the boosting of frequencies.

As stated before try working with placement when possible.

Like the OP I only have 2 decent spots so I had to boost some frequencies. But only 3db to get within 3db.

Hopefully this makes sense. Its getting kinda late.

It's good to know! So do you think my graph is relatively OK?

 

[jeanseb]

After playing with the manual EQ for 5 hours, I now understand a little bit more how this work. I compared almost two similar curves, but with different phase and volume settings, so different boost/cut settings too. Although they were both flat, one was punching way more than the other.

I had a question for you. If my AVR crossover is set at 90Hz, should I set the SMS-1 x-over to 90, 100, 110 Hz or simply OFF?

Thanks!

 

[jostenmeat]

Off. To avoid cascading/stacked crossovers.

Playing with phase can definitely result in a fuller bass response.

 

[jeanseb]

Would that be better?



Thanks!