MINIDSP for Subwoofer Equalization/Filtering

[Jeff R.]

Guys

Just wanted to make sure I was understanding the capability of these MINIDSP system. In my DIY thread I was recommended by TLS Guy the following for my subs "You will need to apply Eq at 12 db per octave starting around 55 Hz. (Linkwitz transform). You will need a high pass filter at 20 Hz. If you do that you will have pretty impressive subs."

I have read the website and to my understanding if I buy one of these units for $125 it will supply everything I need to do what is being recommended for my subs. Does that sound correct?

If anybody else knows....I am not sure I understand what exactly 12db per octave means. Any help clarifing would be great!! I am assembling my subs tomorrow and obviously will not have the ability to do this during my initial testing phase, but I would like to atleast get a plan in place ASAP for what I need to buy to accomplish this.

Thanks

Jeff

 

[lsiberian]

Just wanted to make sure I was understanding the capability of these MINIDSP system. In my DIY thread I was recommended by TLS Guy the following for my subs "You will need to apply Eq at 12 db per octave starting around 55 Hz. (Linkwitz transform). You will need a high pass filter at 20 Hz. If you do that you will have pretty impressive subs."

I have read the website and to my understanding if I buy one of these units for $125 it will supply everything I need to do what is being recommended for my subs. Does that sound correct?

If anybody else knows....I am not sure I understand what exactly 12db per octave means. Any help clarifing would be great!! I am assembling my subs tomorrow and obviously will not have the ability to do this during my initial testing phase, but I would like to atleast get a plan in place ASAP for what I need to buy to accomplish this.

Thanks

Jeff

12db per octave is 2nd order. However when eqing it's best to measure in room and then apply filters because room gain can be unpredictable. The minidsp will do the job.

 

[Jeff R.]

Is that my cheapest option? What if I do not have any in room measuring equipment? I can just use my ear and test tone CD's to do what sounds good to me?

 

[TLS Guy]

Is that my cheapest option? What if I do not have any in room measuring equipment? I can just use my ear and test tone CD's to do what sounds good to me?

Isiberian's advice is correct. MiniDSP is deigned to work with REW, which you can download.

 

[lsiberian]

Is that my cheapest option? What if I do not have any in room measuring equipment? I can just use my ear and test tone CD's to do what sounds good to me?

You could at least use an SPL meter with test tones. Assuming you have an android or iphone they are free. You can see the REW page for how to set up a mic if you are interested in doing that. Maybe you could use that 100 you are saving on a measurement setup.

 

[Jeff R.]

You could at least use an SPL meter with test tones. Assuming you have an android or iphone they are free. You can see the REW page for how to set up a mic if you are interested in doing that. Maybe you could use that 100 you are saving on a measurement setup.

The test tones are what you are saying would be free...Right?

Then buy the SPL Meter any good bang for the buck ones that you guys recommend?

I am ordering the MINIDSP Today. Looks like it takes about a week to get here.

 

[lsiberian]

The test tones are what you are saying would be free...Right?

Then buy the SPL Meter any good bang for the buck ones that you guys recommend?

I am ordering the MINIDSP Today. Looks like it takes about a week to get here.

Android's and Iphones have SPL meters

Amazon.com: Galaxy Audio CM-140 Check Mate SPL Meter-Standard: Electronics

Is the recommended for REW.

 

[Jeff R.]

Okay I will check it out the for a SPL Meter

I have been reading the MINIDSP Site....from the best I can determine I need a simple MINIDSP 2x4 Rev B to accomplish my task at hand with no plug ins. Does that sound right?

 

[lsiberian]

Okay I will check it out the for a SPL Meter

I have been reading the MINIDSP Site....from the best I can determine I need a simple MINIDSP 2x4 Rev B to accomplish my task at hand with no plug ins. Does that sound right?

I usually get the unboxed ones, but they are very small so you might like it boxed already.

 

[Grador]

Okay I will check it out the for a SPL Meter

I have been reading the MINIDSP Site....from the best I can determine I need a simple MINIDSP 2x4 Rev B to accomplish my task at hand with no plug ins. Does that sound right?

You will need a plug in. They call all of their software "plugins" for some reason, you'll need one in order to program it. Go for the 2 way + sub one, there's more you can do with it with no added cost or difficulty in doing basic tasks.

 

[Jeff R.]

Thanks for the help on this on guys. I just ordered the MINIDSP 2x4 Rev B and the 2way + Sub Plug In. $155 for everything shipped.

 

[Jeff R.]

Alright, so I am looking for a little help on setting this up.

I did some very basic frequency gathering on my subs. I ran test tones using my phone app to generate test tones every 5 hz and record output at each. Here is what I have for data.

25 Hz - 53 dB
30 Hz - 55.5 dB
35 Hz - 58 dB
40 Hz - 61 dB
45 Hz - 57 dB
50 Hz - 60 dB
55 Hz - 52 dB
60 Hz - 65 dB
65 Hz - 62 dB
70 Hz - 60 dB

So this as simple as just bumping the equalizer settings up to try and make this as level as possible on the MiniDSP.

Thanks

Jeff

 

[Grador]

Alright, so I am looking for a little help on setting this up.

I did some very basic frequency gathering on my subs. I ran test tones using my phone app to generate test tones every 5 hz and record output at each. Here is what I have for data.
So this as simple as just bumping the equalizer settings up to try and make this as level as possible on the MiniDSP.

Thanks

Jeff

Essentially yes, but if you can get a computer next to this setup there's a nice free program called REW that will do it for you.

 

[Jeff R.]

Do I need one of those mics for doing that?

 

[Grador]

You'll need a microphone, any microphone. The better the mic the better the results, but pretty much anything will work as well as the phone mic you are using right now.

 

[fuzz092888]

I just ordered the miniDSP 2X4 the other day with the 2 way + sub plugin. If you want accurate measurements across the widest bandwidth for the least money the UMIK from miniDSP is hard to beat. I have one of those, a calibrated Behringer ECM8000, and a galaxy CM-140. The behringer gives me a little more accuracy than the UMIK, but the UMIK isn't far behind and is 10X easier to use. Down load REW, plug the mic in and you're pretty much good to go.

 

[Jeff R.]

I hooked up the DSP yesterday, with a filter installed at 20 Hz and used the equalizer to offset each 5 Hz measurement to be flat. I do notice improved performance. I am planning to recheck the measurements again this week and check out the REW Feature.

 

[Jeff R.]

Since I have hooked up the MiniDSP I am getting a popping noise when I power down my Subs? Any Ideas on how to make this stop....it was not doing it before I installed it last weekend.

 

[lsiberian]

For best results with REW first dial in the placement. Be sure to average multiple measurements if you can to ensure accuracy for your entire listening area. Then apply filters to the big dips.
Be sure to do placement testing and average multiple measurements in the listening area. Find the best spot and then apply EQ.