REW and EQ'ing it all

[Jeff5347]

My question is more to understand how this works...I don't have a new avr yet to do this. My question is regarding Rew or any other Room correction software and then being able to eq.. Now I've seen how once you set up your system, new speakers, ect you can run REW to plot your freq. For the sake of the question you have nulls at freq. 85 and 3000. How do you adjust this in the avr or import to the avr the new settings. I know years ago you could set up an EQ between the avr and speakers but curious what is used now to EQ after you've used REW?

 

[lovinthehd]

REW is mostly about measurement with a measurement mic, although it can implement eq in conjunction with some specific gear (such as with a miniDSP unit or certain amps' dsp sections like the Behringer iNuke DSP amps) , altho generally not avrs. Many avrs have their own REQ solutions (such as Audyssey, MCACC, YPAO, etc), tho perhaps not specifically able to address particular issues aside from the automatic routine/eq.

 

[Jeff5347]

That's what I was curious on. Does Audessey for example see there is a dip at 3k and adjust for a more flat response. I saw on the Denon manual for the 4400 it has a 9 band ( I think) GEQ. 35, 65, 150 ECT. My curiousity is you can adjust at the given levels but what about ones not designated? Does the on board room correction fix areas the owner is not able to? With programs such as REW, if you don't have a dsp such as minidsp how does running REW help if you can't manually adjust the intricate areas that need help?

 

[lovinthehd]

Audyssey can correct for a flatter response, altho some don't prefer it. The graphic eq in the Denon cannot be used in conjunction with Audyssey, it is an either-or thing. Audyssey with the use of the external Audyssey app from D&M can give you some more flexibility (for example I have an older Denon 4520 without the app, and am pretty much stuck with the Audyssey curves as built into the avr). Graphic eq has the limitations of what center frequencies it is setup for, a variable parametric eq such as in a minidsp would be more versatile. You could possibly use a minidsp of sufficient processing ability on pre-outs of an avr, in between the avr and external amps. Most receivers no longer have a processor loop such as was often available with older 2ch analog gear. As I said, the primary purpose of REW is for measurement, the implementation of eq is not it's primary purpose and is limited in application thru particular gear.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

I saw on the Denon manual for the 4400 it has a 9 band ( I think) GEQ. 35, 65, 150 ECT. My curiousity is you can adjust at the given levels but what about ones not designated?

You can’t make any EQ adjustments where the equalizer has no center frequency.

With programs such as REW, if you don't have a dsp such as minidsp how does running REW help if you can't manually adjust the intricate areas that need help?

REW is merely a measurement software. It doesn’t “correct” anything. That requires outboard equalization. If your receiver has an auto room correction system (most do these days), you can take measurement before and after to see what the room correction system accomplished.

I know years ago you could set up an EQ between the avr and speakers but curious what is used now to EQ after you've used REW?

No, an outboard EQ has to between the AVR and an outboard amplifier.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[Jeff5347]

Ok thanks guys. I figured there needed to be an amp. It was stumping me as to if/ how anyone was manually adjusting freqs. So now I get it. The REW just shows the before and after. Man I was racking my brain as I could find nothing about it on YT or online. One other thought. REW could be useful in placement of the speakers to see where the flatest line would be, albiet visual and normal placement....such as to close to a wall, move speakers a few inches either way.. ? That along with the ear could get you to as close to optimal as possible?

 

[PENG]

Ok thanks guys. I figured there needed to be an amp. It was stumping me as to if/ how anyone was manually adjusting freqs. So now I get it. The REW just shows the before and after. Man I was racking my brain as I could find nothing about it on YT or online. One other thought. REW could be useful in placement of the speakers to see where the flatest line would be, albiet visual and normal placement....such as to close to a wall, move speakers a few inches either way.. ? That along with the ear could get you to as close to optimal as possible?

REW in fact can do EQ as HD explained, just that to implement the software generated EQ filters, you need additional hardware such as the minidsp, Behringer, etc.

 

[Jeff5347]

REW in fact can do EQ as HD explained, just that to implement the software generated EQ filters, you need additional hardware such as the minidsp, Behringer, etc.

Ok. That makes sense. Well when I get the AVR I see how I like it on it's on then see if I want it. At least it's not a crap load of money

 

[lovinthehd]

Ok. That makes sense. Well when I get the AVR I see how I like it on it's on then see if I want it. At least it's not a crap load of money

REW is free (altho I'd recommend a contribution if you're going to utilize it), the rest of the gear (measurement mic, boom/stand, eq hardware, etc) and time/effort can add up quite a bit depending on what you set out to do....one of the more economical/effective ways to use it would be just with subs.

 

[3db]

You can’t make any EQ adjustments where the equalizer has no center frequency.


REW is merely a measurement software. It doesn’t “correct” anything. That requires outboard equalization. If your receiver has an auto room correction system (most do these days), you can take measurement before and after to see what the room correction system accomplished.

No, an outboard EQ has to between the AVR and an outboard amplifier.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

I can put a minidsp between the AVR and sub since the sub has its own amp?

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

Yes. It’s pretty common – people have been using parametric equalizers between their AVRs and subs for 20 years now.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[3db]

The next question is, which model of minidsp do I require just to do bass management? Do I run YPAO first and then correct the sub afterwards with the mini?

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

I don’t use a miniDSP, so I’ll leave a recommendation for which one to someone else. You’d do YPAO for your system, then do the subwoofer EQ with the miniDSP. Unfortunately, that will require some manual, hands-on work. The mini is a powerful tool and many new users are prone to go overboard with the equalization. Check the article on minimal EQ in my signature.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[lovinthehd]

The next question is, which model of minidsp do I require just to do bass management? Do I run YPAO first and then correct the sub afterwards with the mini?

Generally I'd say run the minidsp then Audyssey, but YMMV. The 2x4 models will work, the HD being the most capable of them. Things to watch are the output voltage, type of connector and perhaps delay capability differences.