It is time for me to learn how to measure sound in my room so I can try to improve things. I have seen some videos on Room EQ Wizard that I think I would like to look into but don’t know if there are other cheap options. Yes, I know about Baach, but I can’t afford it and need something much cheaper.
I was thinking of buying a UMIK-1 and trying to learn Room EQ Wizard but maybe you all have better alternatives I’m ignorant of. Would it be worth it for me to spring for the UMIK-2 over the 1?
I had considered trying MiniDSP earlier but am a bit worried it would downgrade the sound from what I currently have with relatively nice components.
REW is donation-ware. You can use it for free, if you like, and decide if or when you’d care to donate for using it. Get a UMIK-1 that has its own cal file. For REW a UMIK-2 really brings no value. I have and have used both. If you go with REW, read the online user guide. There are folks here who can help once you’re ready.
I used REW with great results. It will let you see what issues you may have with frequency response, RT60 (reverb time), etc.
The next obvious question is how you plan to make adjustments when you find these issues. I have a dBx Venu360 LMS (loudspeaker management system) that is DSP-based and allows lots of adjustments to correct for any anomalies you are likely to find. Also, do you have a subwoofer and does it have adjustment for phase, EQ, etc.? Finally, do you have or are you planning to have room acoustic treatments?
Lots to learn but very much worth the effort when you hear what a properly treated room with dialed in FR/RT60, etc.
Agree with both sets of comments and will add my experiments with Dirac were disappointing. After significant investments in time and hardware the system ended up sounding lifeless. YMMV but REW => targeted EQ to trim bass peaks proved to be enough for me.
REW is fantastic but be prepared to burrow deep. It’s easy to get carried away with the topic of acoustics and analysis. It is so much more than frequency response. As tony22 mentioned the REW online help really is helpful and there are plenty of YT videos. I just wish I’d spent the time learning before buying the room treatment starter pack.
I have since moved to ORC with BACCH4Mac. But before I used Roon convolution filter. That can be made with REW but I bought something that made it a bit easier to deal with. Focus Fidelity. $250. Saves time and does some of the harder work for your. But if you have the time and want the free path you end up in same place with REW.
Using the quick measure tools of either for moving speakers around to find best placement / Angles etc.. Where to put panels and such. That itself is a big win w/o any filters.
Thanks everyone. I’m going to start out in REW and buy a UMIK 1. It seems I have a lot to learn, however, I think this will all help me learn what is really going on.