Room Acoustic Modelling Service?

[JSF13]

I seem to recall coming across a site where you could send in measurements of your listening room and for a fee get back a report ID'ing best/worst spots for speaker/listener positioning,etc.

I can't seem to find any such site.Is anyone familiar with such a service?

Thanks
Joe:)

[Rolf]

I seem to recall coming across a site where you could send in measurements of your listening room and for a fee get back a report ID'ing best/worst spots for speaker/listener positioning,etc.

I can't seem to find any such site.Is anyone familiar with such a service?

Thanks
Joe:)

No, don't know a site that can, but what are you listening to, and how is your room?

[johnaec]

I've seen a number of sites/programs online that do this to a degree, and no fee. While they don't recommend speaker placement, (as I recall), they do come up with standing wave and room node values and information. If I can find one again, I'll post the link...

Here's a couple like I was talking about:

http://www.mcsquared.com/metricmodes.htm

http://stereos.about.com/od/optimizingperformance/a/treatments.htm (link to Harman calculatr is in article)

Here's a link to room acoustics in general, (check out the other great info here also):

http://www.lenardaudio.com/education/04_acoustics.html

John

[JSF13]

John

Thanks for the links. I'll check them out.:)

Rolf

It's a bit complicated.Basically a large rectangle, with 3 block walls (2 short,1 long) and one long false wall with stairs behind. Also a large bar running parallel to the false wall,which probably acts like another false wall, a couple of posts/columns and a double wide doorway at the foot of the stairs. Still with me?:)

[Rolf]

To me it looks like a room it should be possible to get good sound. Experiment with more/less carpets, more or fewer things on the wall. A lot of work involved, bet when you are done and the result is good, you will be glad you done true it all.

[JSF13]

Thanks Rolf. I've made some pretty good progress already. But you know how it is; the never ending search for perfection,lol.;)

[spwal]

any uber-highend audio store will offer a consultation service.

[Andyoz]

I personally think you are better off spending the time learning about it yourself and doing a great deal of experimentation. Just get a grip on the fact that low-frequency "issues" and mid/high freq "issues" are very different things (and require differing treatments).

To be honest, there isn't a great deal professionals can do with regards domestic listening rooms (unless you are prepared to accept some rather conspicuous treatments). There's also a lot of bad advice floating around out there.

[toddalin]

Best dimensions for a listening room (to best alleviate standing waves) are reported to be multiples of 2 x 3-1/2 x 5 (e.g., 8' ceiling x 14' wide x 20' long).

[Robh3606]

Try this on for size.

http://www.ultimateavmag.com/news/10388/index.html


Rob:)

[UreiCollector]

I've been using Sound Easy v13 from Bodzio software. Pricey, but worth it.
http://www.interdomain.net.au/~bodzio/

It's not the easiest software to use, but it is powerful. Nice thing is you can model a room with very complex shapes, and change the absorption coefficient of the surfaces, etc.

I modeled my room before I built it....actually made the room narrower (by 14 inches) to smooth out the low end response. Room was built at 18.6 ft x 14.7 ft x 6.8~7.7 ft (ceiling is 2 differing heights due to soffits). By no means a 'golden ratio' room at [1:2:2.6] but a far cry better than it would have been at 15.8 ft wide [1:2.2:2.6]. As with all things, compromises must be made....or else the room would be MUCH bigger.

After building the room, and measuring it for EQ-ing below 100hz, it was amazing to see the correlation of EQ adjustments to the simulation......obviously the sim was not perfect, however it did highlight the potential problems.

(By all means, measure the room with a mic, setting the EQ directly from the sim will be disasterous....the real world can never be precisely modeled.)

[UreiCollector]

A few observations....

1. I've noticed that room symmetry goes a long way towards creating a solid/stable sound stage.

2. Anything added to the room to make it less 'regular' while maintaining the symmetry, adding couches, coffee tables, other furniture, etc helps to break up standing waves.

3. Do not over deaden the room....an anechoic chamber would make a lousy listening room IMHO. Kill the early reflections first, and 'spot' treat from there. I'm a fan of LEDE rooms, if you all havn't noticed.

Happy listening!

[1audiohack]

Some time ago I found this link in the Hi Performance Loudspeaker book by Martin Colloms.

Article by Arthur Noxom PE.

www.acousticsciences.com/articles/chain.htm (http://www.acousticsciences.com/articles/chain.htm)

Firm common sense advise on speaker placement.

[JSF13]

Lots of great info. guys.

Thanks:)