My Batcave - MA rack, Rives designed room - Page 13

Audyssey Pro kit EQ Calibration
Try #1 - 11-06-09
Try #2 - 11-08-09 w/80Hz crossovers (no measurement changes)

(I'll add more detail later...)


For full information see post #1 in my HT Thread

Fixed Features
Room:
-- Dedicated HT room - designed by Rives Audio (Level 1+) with some modficiations (eg front partial wall added after design)
–- Room dimensions - 22' 4" x 17' 6" x 7'7” height (ceiling diffusers hang down 3”)
AVR: Denon 5308CI
Front: Rocket RS1000Sig
Center: Rocket RSC200Sig "Bigfoot"
Sides: Rocket RSS300
Back: Rocket RS250MkII

Variables:
Audyssey version: v3.2.628.465
Measures: 8 (at each seat) -- back extreme L/R seats are off axis from L/R tweeters!
RS1000Sig
-- toe in: aimed at center
-- woofers aimed (in or out): in
-- woofers gain: approx 40% max (left), 60% max (right) -- hmm, no reason that should be assymetric!
-- woofers phase: 12 o'clock (on L & R) - next time will change to 0
-- woofers frequency (crossover/cutoff): midway -- so 150-30 = 120/2 = 60 + 30 base position = ~90 Hz cuttoff - change to 80 next time
RSC200Sig Center: tilted up toward ear height
Sub position: front left corner
Target Sound Options:
-- Mid range compensation (MRC): off
-- High frequency roll off: #1
Mic: ~1.5 ft from back of leather chair
Measure #1: front, mid (right)
Chairs:
-- Front - measured as fully reclined
-- Back - measured not reclined


Mike


ADDENDUM:
Audyssey Thread troubleshooting - link

I'm sure I'll be making a few changes:
- no cell phone/blackberyy in room (may interfere)
- quiet as possible background noise
- mic away from seat
- 2 height positions at each seat (?)
- less "wide" at rear seating postion based on L/R toe in
- L/R to "small" or 40/60/80 Hz crossover [did on 11-08-09]
- more measurements
- decrease "vol/gain" on sub -- given -12 dB gain via Audyssey measurement (correct?)
- RS1K woofers: increase gain ~10-20% to left and right woofers in RS1KSig (and be symmetric in gain) [noted 11-08-09], phase = 0, Freq to ~80 (10 o'clock position)
- etc.


Audyssey Question (link):

I was considering getting two subs in the future.
If my current Audyssey gain on sub is -12 and the on sub vol/gain is only at 1/3-1/2 (I'll have to check to confirm).
Then I should likely turn the gain down a little for measures, and ??? may not have that much improvement in getting additional subs (at least vis-a-vis gain)?

Auddysey graph

 

Audyssey Customer Certificate 11-06-09.pdf 147.1689453125k . file

 

Audyssey Customer Certificate 11-08-09 - 80 Hz cuttoffs.pdf 147.494140625k . file

I ordered the Emotiva USP-1 pre-amp ($349) and ERC-1 CD player ($319) today.
Apparently they are on the way already.
This will be matched with my Emotiva UPA-2 amp and TCA WAF-1 speakers.

Should be fun to play with in my office setup.
Great prices.

Mike

Thanks.

Do you have the Audyssey Pro kit?
You need to log in online (make an account) to use it and download the "certificates"/graphs.

Per Chris/Audyssey a new software version will include X and Y axis labels and measures in the future.

Mike

Which software are you using?
I'm using v3.2.

If you have v3.2 you should contact Audyssey tech support and/or post on the Audyssey thread to get the gurus to help.

Mike

PS - I'm doing some new measurements now...

Audyssey Try #3 - Date: 11-21-09


Fixed Features
Room:
-- Dedicated HT room - designed by Rives Audio (Level 1+) with some modifications (eg front partial wall added after design)
- Room dimensions - 22' 4" x 17' 6" x 7'7 height (ceiling diffusers hang down 3)
AVR: Denon 5308CI
Front: Rocket RS1000Sig
Center: Rocket RSC200Sig "Bigfoot"
Sides: Rocket RSS300
Back: Rocket RS250MkII

Variables:
Audyssey version: v3.2.628.465
Measures: 12
RS1000Sig
-- toe in: aimed at center
-- woofers aimed (in or out): in
-- woofers gain: ~ 2 oclock position [increased from last time --approx 40% max (left), 60% max (right)]
-- woofers phase: 0
-- woofers frequency (crossover/cutoff): Freq to ~80 (10 o'clock position)
RSC200Sig Center: tilted up toward ear height
Sub position: front left corner
Target Sound Options:
-- Mid range compensation (MRC): off
-- High frequency roll off: #1
Mic: ~1.5 ft from back of leather chair
Measures
-- #1: front, mid (right)
-- #2: front, mid (right) 3 ft in front of prior position
-- #3-8: remaining front seats & 3 ft in front
-- #9, 10 mid back seats (excluding most lateral back seats as off tweeter axis)
-- #11, 12 3 ft in front of first position
Chairs:
-- Front - measured as fully reclined
-- Back - measured as fully reclined

Other comments:
- no cell phones or Blackberry in room (may interfere)
- decreased subwoofer gain to = 10 oclock position -- given -12 dB gain via Audyssey measurement on 11-06 and 11-08-09 calculations
- mic away from seat
- less "wide" at rear seating position based on L/R toe in
- more measurements

Next time:
- different height measures
- include two lateral back seats as not extreme off axis (???)
- ??? change RS1000Sig woofer gain and/or crossover ???
- Consider playing with MRC and flat custom curve
- further decr sub gain

Questions:
- why is subwoofer level flat but below 0
- what is source of sawtooth pattern from back surrounds (RS250MkIIs)?

 

Audyssey Customer Certificate 11-06-09.pdf 147.1689453125k . file

 

Audyssey Customer Certificate 11-08-09 - 80 Hz cuttoffs.pdf 147.494140625k . file

 

Audyssey Customer Certificate 11-21-09 - 12 meas - 80Hz cutoff.pdf 147.958984375k . file

Emotiva gear arrived Friday at work but I was at home.

Just got this set up.
So far I have just listened to Pandora -> USP-1 -> UPA-2 -> TCA WAF-1
Sounds great.
Could be:
1) placebo effect / new gear happiness
2) Pandora One music selection (so far: David Gilmour, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin...)
3) increased computer volume to max*

*I'm told this increases the S/N ratio for computer based audio.
I'll now have to adjust volume with the Emotiva remote or manually.

ERC-1 tomorrow...

Mike

Thanks.
I'm listening to it now.
Sounds great.
The UPA-2 is way overkill.
I have to turn the gain down on the amp just to get in a useful range for the pre-amp volume control (with computer volume at max -- I think that optimizes S/N?).
Now I need to find an appropriate screwdriver size to open up the ERC-1 tank-like remote to put in batteries.

RE: DAC
I think I'll wait to see what Emotiva comes out with -- tentatively (???) before 2010. It would fit well with the other gear.

Other DAC options are interesting including Onix.
I lurk (and post) alot in the TCA forum where there is a conglomeration of Onix dealers!

If I recommended someone doing this from scratch I would likely go with:

Speakers: TCA WAF-1 (I'm awaiting the release Skiing Ninja WAF-1's sometime in the future)
Amp: TCA Gizmo or Peachtree (combo DAC/integrated amp -- very elegant solution)

Luckily I have space under my desk to put this huge stack.

Now, gotta get a 10" sub!


Mike

I'm researching small (10" driver or smaller) office subwoofers.

Here are some notes (PDF)...
The new TCA sub CS-10.1 (yet to be released) is high on the list.

MIke

 

SMALL Subwoofer comparison - 2009 - 2010 TCA etc - 12-5-09.pdf 91.359375k . file

Thanks everyone.
I was out of town on vacation -- near Louisville, KY, so not as warm as some of you. (But, planning a spring FL trip with the family).

Merry (belated) Christmas to you and Happy New Years.


I got back and did another Lumagen RadianceXE firmware update.
Good piece of hardware.
Debating on a Carada CIH masking system.
Lot's of stuff to spend money on (non-HT related) in 2010 or not.

Wayne - I may actually see your wife at work in Jan. More on that later.

Ho ho ho...

Mike

Not obsolete, just better.
Our great looking images will remain great.

I wouldn't worry about HDMI 1.4 or 3D for now.
I saw 3D at CES last year (likely skipping this year) and it was cool to see but fatiguing.
I will hold out until (at least) the second gen of (widely available) LED projectors.

The CIH masking is interesting with some upcoming fun 16:9 content -- namely the Superbowl and the Olympics!

Mike

I think 3D is interesting but immature.
3D ready TV are out and coming out, but they are a small percentage of the market.
3D blu rays are out (eg, Coraline, etc), but I don't think 3D will be a major force (if ever) for several years.
3D is being used to try to get people to the theaters again and will likely be successful at some point in the future. I just wouldn't make a lot of decisions based on it now.

Mike

Roger, roger.
You will obviously hear if I get a CIH masking system.


Mike

Wayne -

Thanks.
You are very helpful.
Hopefully I get to the point where I install something.
The Superbowl and Olympics are getting closer...

Mike

Thanks.
Do you have links to the HTIQ info.
I will add it to the Carada CIH thread under "Competitors".
I don't have the patience for a DIY solution.
But funlvr1965 might .

Share some links and pics.

Happy NYE,

Mike

I found this...

http://htiq.com/cihmasking.php



2-Way CIH Masking System

Dual-Motor System

• Vertical rollers on each side of screen
• Each mask independently controlled
• IR remote
• Up to 10 presets
• Space requirements: 3.0 inches on all sides of screen
• Fits screens 108 - 144 inches wide
• Easy to install

Pricing Details
MM2 $1499.00
Optional trim kit$199.00 (MM2-T)
Optional AT masks$99.00 (MM2-AT)
Optional RS232$199.00 (MM2-RS232)



One-Way CIH Masking

• Top roller design with drop-down masks for 1.78 viewing
• IR remote control
• Space requirements: 2.5 inches above the screen, 2 inches on each side
• Fits screen sizes 108 inch to 144 inch wide
• Easy to install

Pricing Details
MM1-10 for screen sizes 9-10 feet wide$999.00
MM1-12 for 12 foot wide screen$1099.00
Optional trim kit$199.00 (MM1-T)
Optional AT masks$99.00 (MM1-AT)




Integrated CIH Screen Frame & Masking System

• Aluminum screen frame
• Integrated single-motor masking system
• IR or optional RS232 control
• Curved or flat screens
• AT or non-AT screen material available (sold separately)

Prices starting at $2999.00 USD (100 inch screen width)
Screen Material

Phifer SheerWeave 4400 1.16 gain, 63 inches wide
$20.00/lin. ft.
Phifer SheerWeave 4500 1.16 gain AT, 63 inches wide
$21.00/lin. ft.

I found this online hearing test posted on the Seaton Sound forum (link) and thought it was interesting/fun:

http://audiocheck.net/audiotests_frequencycheckhigh.php

I heard ~17 kHz with in ceiling room speakers.
I may want to test on some other speakers as well...


Mike

PS - Note comments about sound card, etc. in link

Thanks.
Happy NY to you as well.

Mike