"Official" Audyssey thread (FAQ in post #1) - Page 1954

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Originally Posted by jevansoh 

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Originally Posted by kbarnes701 


A great post Jason - thanks. I may still be tempted (your argument is very seductive). What would I need as an external soundcard to connect to my prepro? Can you recommend one?  Is it OK to connect that to the front AUX connector on my prepro?  I would need a long lead as my hardware is in a closet outside the HT - what sort of lead would this be?  Thanks for you help.

Wow, Keith! I've been called a lot of things in my life, but seductive is a new one! 

 

 

LOL!  Well, I was definitely seduced by your post and am even actively considering REW, which I have never done before. In my case "actively considering" is usually just a prelude to buying :)

 

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You will NOT need an "external" sound card. I'm SURE your PC/Laptop has a sound card and the one that is built-in is more than adequate if manufactured in the last 10 years or so. Promise! (My business is computer hardware/software, sales and service, in business since 1994, so I'm sure of this)

 

 

OK - that is terrific then. My Windows laptop is less than a year old - it isn't a high spec thing by any means but will do the job. I think I will go with the Windows version of REW - there is more likely to be good support here for Windows than Mac, and it keeps all my audio stuff on the Windows lappy (which is what I bought it for).

 

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Yes, the front AUX is exactly what I use. If you want "easy" (actually, every method is very easy, but this is the long-term/in-use tried and true method) and only care about the front 3 channels as far as testing goes, then you can use a simple RCA cable, and 25' or so is fine, but I wouldn't go more than 50' max, and stay as close to 25' as possible.

Monoprice makes great ones and you can do the same for even less. All they do is use standard RG-6 Sat/CATV cable and put some RCA plugs on the end. I make my own for even less, but if you don't want to fool with it and don't need custom lengths, their prices cannot be beat.

 

 

OK - understood. I do only (currently at least) care about the LCR channels plus Subs of course.

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You'll simply plug the mic in to your PC/Laptop (Up to 15' standard USB extension cable can be used and if you need longer than that, Monoprice again has wonderful and cheap options for amplified USB cables for much longer lengths) and then from the sound card in the same computer you'll run an RCA cable back into your pre-pro's AUX input.

 

 

When you say the 'sound card in the same computer' this would be the audio out connection I assume? This seems to be limited on my machine (from memory) to the headphone out socket - is that what you mean?

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If you want access to all channels for testing (the only program that does this, for free or any reasonable amount of money at least) then you'll need a PC/Mac/Laptop with HDMI. You'll simply plug the Mic in to the USB port, same as the other example, and then run an HDMI cable from your computer to your pre-pro.

 

 

My lappy has HDMI, so I think I would prefer this route. I just connect an HDMI lead to the lappy HDMI socket and then into a suitable HDMI input on my 5509 - the one on the front panel would be terrific as it is not easy to get to the back of the unit. Is my assumption here correct?

 

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There are no other cables/connections required. Then simply download the driver from the link Jeff posted above, install it (can't mess this up - anyone can do it...Just click next next finish) and you're good to go.

 

 

OK - will grab the driver now.

 

 

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BTW - TO ALL - I have received several PM's from folks asking for assistance and assure you I am responding to each and every person and will assist each and every one of you. I LOVE this stuff and have learned so much here in the two years I've been a member and am so happy I can finally give back!

Keith, the offer goes to you too. If you want to learn REW and have any questions, from physical setup to use to interpreting the graphs (plus how to set them, what to look for,etc) I'm more than willing to help you and give you one on one guidance, even over the phone if that is what it takes, as my way of saying thank you for all the time you spend helping others.

I honestly don't know what I would've done without Jeff's posts and your posts in the beginning and when I compare my system and room, plus knowledge then (2 years ago) to what I've learned and applied now, it's as if I went from a HTIB to a $250,000 system (at least set up the way most people's high end stuff is compared to the "right" way  ) so don't worry, have a little faith, and I promise, I'm here for you.

 

Jason - this is terrific and I thank you sincerely for the kind offer of support. I am sure I will need it. 

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You may want to take a look at mine and Jerry's thread from a month or so ago. There is a lot of great info in there. Don't worry if it confuses you at first. If it at least intrigues you and you want to learn more or it excites you vs putting you to sleep, then you need to hurry up and get your mic and cable so we can get you going.  I don't have the link handy but I'm sure Jerry can provide it for you.

Let me know how you feel after reading that and if you wish to proceed, remember, I'm here, and so are a lot of very knowledgeable people.

We won't leave you hanging!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!

I did read your thread with Jerry, just for interest. I will go back and look at it again with a new eye... thanks. And HNY2U2!!

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Originally Posted by jevansoh 

All it is is a driver/program that you will download and install one time. You can't really mess it up. It's easy. I'm here if you need help, but with this step at least, I cannot imagine you having any issues. Simply download and install.

--J

Thanks Jason - I get it now. Even I can install a driver! LOL. I've just downloaded it in readiness.

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Originally Posted by jevansoh 

 

Most importantly it will less us go from trusting Audyssey to trusting but verifying and letting us know exactly what, if anything, we need to tweak after running Audyssey.

The possibilities are endless and the best use I've found for REW so far is guiding me on exactly which room treatments, how many, and where to place for the best results, and to stop focusing so much on the frequency response and realize that is only about 10% of the picture. Once I improved my modal ringing/decay times, my ETC, group delay, comb filtering went away, things tightened up, and my system now sounds as good again as the difference between no Audyssey and with Audyssey. It is truly refined now and that just cannot happen without measurements and understanding them.

--J

This is one of my main areas of interest too. I have treated my room and the result is terrific, but I would like to learn more about verifying the results I am hearing.

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Originally Posted by AustinJerry 

Jason,

Speaking as one who has benefited from your assistance recently, I want to thank you for opening our eyes to these new REW capabilities. As a long-time REW user, I have always dreaded the set-up and tear-down time for the external sound card, mixer, mic and cables. I am looking forward to streamlining my kit! Thanks again for your valued contributions, even though you don't visit us here often enough.

Absolutely!  It is so reassuring to know that help is on hand, especially for people like me whose Window skills are now almost zero (it's been about 10 years since I used Windows regularly). I do like the idea of plugging in the mic, then just one HDMI cable and being good to go!  That is even simpler than setting up OmniMic (no need for the external test tone CD).

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Originally Posted by AustinJerry 

I just ordered this one: http://cross-spectrum.com/measurement/calibrated_umm6.html

They are on back order, with a shipping estimate of late January.

Do we need a new thread for Audyssey aficionados exploring new REW capabilities?

I may well order the same mic too. Late January will give me some time to get to grips with some of the principles. If REW works out for me, I would expect to get a good price for my OM kit, but I won't be rushing to sell it.

I think a separate thread for "REW for Audyssey Users" would be a terrific idea. I nominate Jason as the Thread Starter as he is very knowledgeable in this area and also so extremely helpful. 

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Originally Posted by AustinJerry 

I just ordered this one: http://cross-spectrum.com/measurement/calibrated_umm6.html

They are on back order, with a shipping estimate of late January.

Do we need a new thread for Audyssey aficionados exploring new REW capabilities?

Inevitably, I have now ordered the mic. About to download the beta of REW...  is that a rabbit I see before me - I didn't know they came so deep....

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Originally Posted by JChin 

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Originally Posted by AustinJerry 

Jason,
Speaking as one who has benefited from your assistance recently, I want to thank you for opening our eyes to these new REW capabilities. As a long-time REW user, I have always dreaded the set-up and tear-down time for the external sound card, mixer, mic and cables. I am looking forward to streamlining my kit! Thanks again for your valued contributions, even though you don't visit us here often enough.

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Originally Posted by kbarnes701 

Absolutely!  It is so reassuring to know that help is on hand, especially for people like me whose Window skills are now almost zero (it's been about 10 years since I used Windows regularly). I do like the idea of plugging in the mic, then just one HDMI cable and being good to go!  That is even simpler than setting up OmniMic (no need for the external test tone CD).

+1 totally agree, thanks to Jason easy plug-n-play post and all the questions and answers by Keith, Batpig, Feri, Mike, Jeff and others. One of my new found resolution for 2013 is to relearn and rerun REW after reading the last three pages .

Thanks AVS gang and Happy New Year all!

Thanks - and HNY2U2!

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Originally Posted by IgorZep 

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Originally Posted by kbarnes701 

I think a separate thread for "REW for Audyssey Users" would be a terrific idea. I nominate Jason as the Thread Starter as he is very knowledgeable in this area and also so extremely helpful. 

+1. With more focused thread it will be less noise in both threads after all. And it will let people who are interested in the details and measurements to talk about their results and ideas without disturbing everyone.

Absolutely.

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Originally Posted by jkasanic 

+1 on a separate thread.

Here's a question. I just purchased OM and I'm still within the 45 day return from PE. I may have a restocking fee and return shipping (need to check). Should I keep it and e-bay it later once the dust settles on this new REW setup or send it back now?! I did get a free tripod (not the greatest but works) so that could offset some of the loss if I keep it. Thoughts?

Difficult call. I have the OM and am very happy with it. I never considered REW until Jason pointed out the new simplicity in the latest s/w along with the much simpler hardware setup needed. I have always thought that REW was a superior tool, but its superiority, for me at least, was counteracted by its complexity of both setup and use.  HST, OM has given me a very good grounding in measuring which I would never have had otherwise - the  experience I have gained with OM will stand me in good stead if/when I convert to REW. You might care to keep the OM and gain some experience with it and then, if you do decide to convert to REW later, sell the OM on. As it seems the sole expenditure for REW is now less than $100, you will probably be able to move on at zero cost, as I would expect you'd get a very good price for an OM kit in 'as new' condition.

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Originally Posted by caloyzki 

Hello guysnewbie here i have denon 1612. I have a question. I have spl meter tool, but i dont know how to use it. Do i need to run the audysey first and then tweak the speakers by using the spl meter? How to use spl meter to tweak the speakers? Thanks. Happy new year.

What is it you want to 'tweak' after running Audyssey? Usually there is no need to tweak the level settings that Audyssey has selected - arguably Audyssey will set them more accurately than a regular SPL meter will.  Have a look at this section of the FAQ and then come back with any additional questions you have...

E. Levels, Distance & Trim Settings

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Originally Posted by mogorf 


Audyssey sends out test signals in order to set speaker levels to 75 dB SPL at the Main Listening Position. If you turn down every speaker by 3 dB after Audyssey you will no longer have film reference level at 0 dB Master Volume setting, but at + 3dB. Nothing wrong with that, just not practical.

And quite pointless, imho.

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Originally Posted by audioguy 

For me, REW has some pluses: (1) ability to measure each channel independently with an HDMI connection and (2) with a single measurement get various measurements results.(3) test signal built into the program The primary downside is the restriction to only measure to 15hz.
But I have ordered the mic. :-)

Well, I'm intrigued with being able to test 8 channels, which is why I went ahead and ordered the USB mic.  But with the "old" method, I could individually test front left, front right, center (setting mono signal configured as PLII Cinema), and the subs.  TBH, measuring the surrounds, heights, and wides is not likely to produce very meaningful information.

What is the 15Hz limitation you meantion?