Clio Lite or Standard?

[Baron030]

Hi, I am looking for advice on equipment for testing a speaker’s frequency response and impedance. To greatly complicate any frequency response measurements, my apartment has a concrete ceiling. So, the slap echoes from the ceiling, kind of rules out some of the less expensive RTA choices available. While, I could remove this slap echo problem by moving my speakers outside and terrorizing my apartment complex with some 120 db test tones. I really don’t want to advertise to the whole neighborhood that I have some very expensive audio gear. It would just invite a break into my apartment.

So, has anyone had any experience with the “Cliowin 7 Lite” version?

Thanks,
Baron030

[Mr. Widget]

So, has anyone had any experience with the “Cliowin 7 Lite” version?

Yes.

CLIO is very good and the lite version is quite a bargain. There are less expensive alternatives, but for ease of use and overall quality I don't think you can do better than CLIO.

Take a look at this long and meandering thread:

http://www.audioheritage.org/vbullet...ead.php?t=8370


Widget

[Baron030]

Thanks, Mr. Widget

I had forgotten about that discussion thread.
I think I will need to re-read that thread a few more times just to soak it all in.
It sure covers a lot of ground.

Are there any less expensive alternatives that can also duplicate Clio's simulated Anechoic Analysis?
If I understand how this feature really works, the measurements are taken so quickly that the slap echo is not measured at all.

Thanks Again,
Baron030

[Robh3606]

Hello Baron

I got Clio Lite and Upgraded. It was cheaper that way than with the full version. Check to see it it will work for you too. I think it's great!! I have not had luck with programs that work with the existing card and Clio uses a dedicated card so it real easy to install.

As far as other programs you have Sound Easy and ATRA which looks pretty good as well and it's free. Check out the manual.

http://www.fesb.hr/~mateljan/arta/

Rob

[moldyoldy]

Since I already had the hardware, I opted for the economical Sample Champion Light, at $70.25 USD;

http://www.purebits.com/index.html

It's a very capable program, but far from user-friendly. IMO, mainly due to the multitude of separate popup windows one needs to simultaneously manipulate to perform even simple tasks, and the need to manually initiate every single step. An extensive manual fully describes each window, but gives no clue as to how they relate to each other in a step-by-step type format. I think I'll get it down in time, but it's been frustrating. For those with a good math/algebra background, it might be easier. I had TrueRTA setup, calibrated, and mastered in a couple of hours, and have dozens of hours on SCL, with no results I'm fully confident are correct yet.

I'd recommend checking out the user manual for any you consider, even before wasting a trial install. Had I done that, I think I'd have spent more $.

[Baron030]

Hi Rob
I am really taking note to the fact that you have not had much luck with programs that use existing sound cards. And I suspect that this is going to be a big issue here. My computer is an old DELL that was built a way back on September of 2000. It has a Soundblaster 64V PCI sound card and the now obsolete Windows ME operating system. Hell, I am not even sure if my sound card is a "Full duplex soundcard with synchronous clock for AD and DA converters" or not. Since, the Arta software is "shareware" and that I already have a DBX-RTA microphone and a PreSonus tube-preamp. I should at the very least give the Arta software a try. But, if I run into any problems, I am not going to waste a lot of time missing around with this shareware stuff.

There is not doubt in my mind that the Clio system is going to be far more accurate. So, maybe I will end up having to bite the 2402 and shell out the big bucks for Clio Lite after all.

Currently, I have got only a few projects on my "to do" list. So, it would be nice to save some money here. But, I really do need is some good test equipment to complete my little ultimate home system project.
First, on my "to do" list is to build a better a passive equalizer for my 2012H drivers. I am running these over a narrow frequency range of 500 Hz to 1200 Hz. My system uses an Ashley 4-way electronic crossover network and a Crown K1 to feed the 2012s through the EQ circuit seen below. All in all, the current tank circuit does an OK job, But, I suspect that with smaller coil value in this network I could make it work better over a larger frequency range. But, with the slap echoes coming from the ceiling, all of my test crude test results are really pretty questionable at best and it's really hard for me to know exactly how to proceed.
And the second item on my "to do" list is to add a little high frequency boost on my 2382a/2446H horn drivers. I am running them over a 1200 Hz to 8 KHz range and if you look at the 2382a response curve below, you can see that these horns have a sizable drop by the time they reach 8 KHz. Currently, I have been using the Ashley' response control to give this 8Khz region a little boost, with some 2405s finally filling out the systems top end. But, with a little passive EQ on the 2446s, I suspect that the system's response could be smoother.
Thanks again,
Baron030

[frequenZ]

Both are good, in my opinon. But since I had to pick one, I'd go for the Clio Lite.


____________
paolo
McIntosh MA2275 Integrated Amplifier - MA2275 Integrated Amplifier Catalog by McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.

[Baron030]

Well, after much deliberation, I have finally taken the red pill.
The Clio lite software and its related hardware arrived today.
And soon I will be finding just how deep the rabbit hole really is.
This should be fun...