Velodyne SMS-1

[Gimpy Ric]

As mentioned in other threads, I'm a BASS JUNKIE. I've owned no less than 5 subs and in home auditioned 2 others. My current sub is an SVS PB-13 Ultra, set at 20 Hz. tuning, or max output.

This is an outstanding sub, but its in my master bedroom, and cannot be moved from its only location. And I'm a Quadriplegic and cannot crawl around on the floor looking for hot spots or dead spots. So...

I listen to music 90% of the time, and HT 10% of the time. Would a SMS-1 do me any good? Is it worth $600.00? I'm crossing over at 80 Hz. Do I need an SMS-1 or maybe bass junkie rehab?

TIA Guys,

Ric

 

[Warpdrv]

Before I would buy one of those, I would get a test tone CD and use a Radio Shack SPL meter and chart your in room freq response to see if you even need it. Then make the determination from there... The SMS is a great tool, but if you don't need it, why buy one...

You can plot on graph paper and post your results here and we can help you determine if it would help or not... and you can also gain a better understanding of what your looking for.

Maybe someone here can point you to a good test tone download, burn it to a CD and plop it in the CD player and cycle through the test tone freq. tracks.

It will be a number of sounds incrementally from 100hz on down to 15hz or so..
Then graph it out by watching what the meter displays for each tone.

 

[Matt34]

I really like mine Ric. It can really help if you have peaks in the frequency response and the real time analysis is much more convenient.

You should be able to find them nowadays for closer to $400.

 

[mike c]

playing test tones and recording the SPL to chart is worth the price of admission on the SMS-1 IMO (yes i'm lazy)

 

[imola ghost]

Before I would buy one of those, I would get a test tone CD and use a Radio Shack SPL meter and chart your in room freq response to see if you even need it. Then make the determination from there... The SMS is a great tool, but if you don't need it, why buy one...

You can plot on graph paper and post your results here and we can help you determine if it would help or not... and you can also gain a better understanding of what your looking for.

Maybe someone here can point you to a good test tone download, burn it to a CD and plop it in the CD player and cycle through the test tone freq. tracks.

It will be a number of sounds incrementally from 100hz on down to 15hz or so..
Then graph it out by watching what the meter displays for each tone.

Is there any "how to's" on making this chart along with the test cd?

 

[GregBe]

Is there any "how to's" on making this chart along with the test cd?

Home Theater Shack has an in depth forum about how to do this, as well as test tones you can download and burn to a disc, and spreadsheets to help you graph it all.

 

[Warpdrv]

Home Theater Shack has an in depth forum about how to do this, as well as test tones you can download and burn to a disc, and spreadsheets to help you graph it all.

Links to this info should be posted as a sticky in the Subwoofers forum...

(Subwoofer EQ, or Plotting the response for your Sub) Or maybe something more catchy....

 

[EJ1]

Home Theater Shack has an in depth forum about how to do this, as well as test tones you can download and burn to a disc, and spreadsheets to help you graph it all.

Do you have a direct link? I can't seem to find it.

 

[Adam]

Do you have a direct link? I can't seem to find it.

I'm not sure, but it might be this one here. There are a series of links at the bottom of that page that made me think that this is the one.

 

[davidtwotrees]

Hey, Ric, you are a Bass Head, no doubt! I've wondered if your caregivers help you set up your rig.....or what?
I just got a new sub, the smallest svs pci. And am thinking of a Behringer Feedback Destroyer. There are two models mentioned on here, DSP 1124, DEQ 2496, but I also see a BFD called The Shark DSP110. Any info on these you all could share? Has Ric considered these, and could anyone compare and contrast these with the SMS1, for instance, do they all have on screen display on a television with a GUI?

 

[bandphan]

Out of the berhingers, id take the dcx2496. Ric the velo or the anti-mode would be better suited for your needs than using any of the BFD or DCX products , imo.

 

[Alex2507]

David,
Here's a link to some info on the BFD:
http://bfdguide.ws/

Ric,
Here's a link to a thread that talks about the EQ thing in detail:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33041

I started reading up on this last night but it wore me out.

 

[Alex2507]

Out of the berhingers, id take the dcx2496. Ric the velo or the anti-mode would be better suited for your needs than using any of the BFD or DCX products , imo.

Oh, great. Just when I thought I had the DCX-2496 narrowed down to be the object of my desire something new pops up to figure out and lust after.

Ric,
Have you tried a dual sub configuration with the placement set up to mimic headphones yet?

 

[avaserfi]

David,
Here's a link to some info on the BFD:
http://bfdguide.ws/

Ric,
Here's a link to a thread that talks about the EQ thing in detail:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33041

I started reading up on this last night but it wore me out.

Man that was a long time ago....

As far as the SMS-1 goes if you don't want to have to really do anything but plug and play the unit is just fine. Now, if you want full functionality and a lower price the DCX2496 is the ideal choice, but it requires actual work.

The SMS-1 will equalize your subwoofer as flat as possible given the placement/seating arrangement and your room. The DCX2496 will allow for the same equalization, but in a more controlled way [more EQ bands and more control over them]. Also, the DCX2496 allows ideal integration with main speakers [a rarity these days as this is not possible with a simple receiver crossover]. Not only this, if you connect the DCX2496 to your main speakers you will be fully able to equalize them as well. This allows for a custom tailored tonality if your speakers are sufficiently linear.

As someone who has owned both the SMS-1 and a DCX2496 I would never go back to an SMS-1. To be frank it is like a child's toy compared to the DCX2496. The real question is are you willing to put in the work? If so don't waste your money on an SMS-1 if not get the SMS-1, set it and forget it.

If one is comparing the DCX2496 to other options out there that are reasonably priced there isn't a real comparison. As far as I am aware the DCX2496 is far more versatile and more capable of differing tasks than any other option within reason [under $1k].

 

[Alex2507]

Man that was a long time ago....

Dude, it was just last summer ...

I know you've come a long way since. One thing I've noticed as I've gotten older is that my ability to learn has become slower but the passage of time has become quicker. By lunch time tommorow I will have forgotten ever typing this.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

I would love to have a DCX2496, but to fully utilize it is beyond my physical abilities. Being a quad And not having any audiophile friends leaves me with something a bit more automatic. But I can't justify $599.00 for an SMS-1, the best price I can find online.

If the DCX2496 was around 20 years ago before my accident, I would have that puppy tweaked out.

 

[Alex2507]

Based on the thread I linked in my earlier post I believe that dual subs can improve room response enough that it reduces the need for parametric equalization.

 

[bandphan]

Oh, great. Just when I thought I had the DCX-2496 narrowed down to be the object of my desire something new pops up to figure out and lust after.

I wouldnt use anything other than the DCX(after switching from bfd and using velodyne for a while) with my setup. I can tank a whole weekend of fishing and drinking just playing around with the eq Which mic are you getting to use with REW?

 

[mike c]

I would love to have a DCX2496, but to fully utilize it is beyond my physical abilities. Being a quad And not having any audiophile friends leaves me with something a bit more automatic. But I can't justify $599.00 for an SMS-1, the best price I can find online.

If the DCX2496 was around 20 years ago before my accident, I would have that puppy tweaked out.

then put the SMS-1 mic on your pillow, and tweak away with the remote control

seriously though, you can always tweak the DCX using your PC, measure also using your PC to run REW. BUT, your assistant will have to be standing around waiting for your instructions.

 

[Alex2507]

Which mic are you getting to use with REW?

This one post sums up my understanding if mic's to use:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=422928&postcount=6

I am a ways away from this level of involment due to not being able/willing to afford it. First off I would need a laptop, then everything else that you could ever think to plug into it.

Man, I got a wish list and a bank account that are not on speaking terms.