How I Put Audyssey Room Correction to Work for Me

Room correction is a process by which you eliminate (or I should say, attempt to eliminate) the nasty acoustic qualities of a small room. Even big rooms, such as concert halls, have issues, but because of their sheer size the problems are different in nature from those that beset a small room. And by a small room, I mean virtually every space that most of us actually live in, unless you reside in Buckingham Palace or the dining hall at Hogwarts.

High frequency issues, such as excess reverberation or even more serious problems such as sound bouncing off tile floors or one or more walls of windows, can be hard to treat. But they can minimized though not always in a domestically acceptable manner. If you love your shiny tile floors you might object to covering them with a thick carpet. If you love that open, full-wall view from your 50th floor Manhattan penthouse, hanging heavy drapes might be followed by divorce papers. You’ll find no shortage of help claiming that this sort of room isn’t a problem, and if you only spend gobs of cash for the right speakers, which they’re only too ready to sell you, the problems will go away. They won’t. Some situations will be intractable unless you’re willing to accept that you’ll need to add acoustic room treatments of some sort—or move.

Problems in the bass, roughly below 400-500 Hz, are different. They arise largely from reflections between adjoining walls, setting up standing wave patterns that interact to produce peaks, dips, and even nulls in the response. These cause the bass response to vary in different parts of the room. Some rooms have fewer such problems than others, depending on their shape and dimensions, but few of the rooms any of us are likely to live in are totally free of them.

The most obvious treatment for these bass issues is carefully and tediously repositioning the speakers and the listener to positions that minimize these modes at the listening position. But in most domestic situations, where the furniture “must go here,” or in a home theater setup where the screen’s location is fixed and the speakers must be positioned to support the picture, your flexibility is limited. You can’t have the screen on the front wall, the main speakers on the left side of the room, and the listening seats on the right! That’s one among many reasons why separate subwoofers, which are non-directional up to a point, are useful; they allow the main speakers to be located where they have to go while putting the subs wherever they perform best. But positioning subwoofers for the optimum result (and more than one are desirable for reasons beyond the scope of this blog) is a major topic in itself.

Physical room treatments that can deal with bass, such as bass traps, are generally too large to be practical in a home situation. But electronic equalization, or room EQ, is a friendlier solution, though not a perfect one (there’s no such thing as perfection—in audio or anything else).

Various types of manual- or computer-adjustable graphic and parametric equalization exist, but require considerable skill and test tools to use properly. You can’t do room EQ by ear, though that hasn’t stopped fools with graphic equalizers from trying to do so over the years (including me, at a more naïve age).

But there are three popular forms of room EQ available to users with at least minimal technical skills: Dirac Live, Anthem Room Correction (ARC), and Audyssey. All come with the needed microphones. The first two require a home computer of some sort, but Audyssey doesn’t. (There are other room EQ formats as well, but they’re generally either proprietary, such as from Yamaha and Onkyo/Integra, or found in crushingly expensive products from the likes of Trinnov and JBL Synthesis).

I have no experience to date with Dirac Live, and limited experience with ARC in Paradigm subwoofers and Anthem’s premier 2-channel integrated amplifier (the latter reviewed recently by editor Al Griffin and by yours truly in the July 2018 issue of Stereophile.

Audyssey Put to the Test
The Marantz surround preamps I’ve used for the past three years offer Audyssey, which I used only briefly in the past on the AV8802A. But the new AV8805, now in my system, offers it as well, together with a new feature allowing the user to limit the top end equalization to any preferred frequency. But for this test I used it full range. Even then, however, the before and after results differed little above about 1 KHz (which is why the results depicted below only show the results up to that frequency).

Audyssey is intended to not only improve the room response but to do so at a range of seating positions. For that purpose it takes a number of readings (typically 8) in different seats and provides an averaged, single correction. For this test, however, I tightened up the positioning to remain within a foot or so of my ears at the main listening position—a more audiophile-centric approach. Give me the best the system can do at the “money seat.”

The responses shown here were achieved with the standard Audyssey microphone that comes with the Marantz AV8805. No computer is required (the computations are performed inside the Marantz). But the results shown here were taken with the Omnimic measurement system from Parts Express (which does use a PC), together with the dedicated Omnimic microphone. The initial, Audyssey-miked measurements used the standard Audyssey 8-position average, but the results shown here were taken at a single position at the main listening seat (my measurements have shown that averaging several measurements reasonably close to the listening position differ little from the single measurement, at least in my room).

What did I achieve? A great deal. But my very large room is so resistant to producing deep bass that I also had to add a boost from the Marantz’ bass control on top of Audyssey’s curve to keep the final result from sounding too thin. That boost is included in the measurements shown here. (Interestingly, these measurements showed that the Marantz’ bass control, at least with Audyssey engaged, raises the overall bass range more or less equally, rather than providing a progressively higher boost as the frequency drops as do most bass controls). The non-equalized "before" responses are shown on top in Fig. 1, and the "after" results in Fig. 2 (left channel in red, right channel in blue).


Fig. 1: Before Audyssey room correction.


Fig. 2: After Audyssey room correction.

Two subwoofers were used in the curves shown. The equalization did help when the speakers were used full range without the subwoofers, improving on their already respectable pre-EQ performance. But it would be wise to use caution when pushing full-range speakers this hard (Audyssey plus bass boost) in a very large room. This could overdrive all but the largest speakers without a subwoofer, a problem I did experience here when I tried the result, sans subs, on the most demanding music tracks.

Adding a subwoofer (or two, as I did here) helps considerably in limiting the strain on full-range speakers. But even then I’d take care in viewing the responses shown here, reaching down to 20 Hz, without reservations. As you can see on the vertical scale, the output levels for the measurements were well under 85 dB — a tepid bass level in a movie where civilization is blowing up all around you. All but the most robust subwoofers will beg for mercy with the EQ pushing them this hard on such material in a big room.

If your room is large, at say over 5,000 cubic feet, a wise precaution would involve putting the deepest bass-heavy passage you can find on repeat. Start playback at a low level and increase it gradually until you hear signs of distortion. Generally this will resemble…um…flatulence well before you hear mechanical rattles. It’s also possible that the subwoofer amp will clip -before the driver bottoms out, or that it offers built-in limiting to prevent the worst from happening. Back off a bit and that’s as high as you should listen.

What’s the solution if this isn’t loud enough? Reduce the bass by backing off on bass emphasis you’ve added, if any, to the room EQ’ed response. Then reduce the level of the subwoofer(s), or find a way to roll it (them) off below a suitable low frequency, perhaps 30 Hz. If your sub offers the option of a ported or sealed setup, and you’ve been using it ported, change it to sealed and re-run Audyssey. Or get more, or better, subwoofers. Or a smaller room!

Audyssey could do with an update, but to offer everything I’d like to see would require more processing power than is currently available in a surround preamp or AV receiver. That means having an external computer do all the calculations (as in Dirac Live and ARC) and then loading the result into the AVR or surround preamp. This offers the sophistication of having more than one target curve stored in the computer, with the ability to reload curves at will.

I’ve rarely use room EQ in speaker reviews for obvious reasons, and then only when it’s for a specific purpose and clearly identified as such. I’ll continue to do the same in reviews going forward. But if your system includes room EQ and you haven’t used it, it’s worth a try.

COMMENTS
drny's picture

I religiously used Room Correction EQ when I had a dedicated Home Theater in my basement (Northern VA).The results were fantastic as I could place SUB, rear and side surround speakers for best results. As well as add acoustic treatment.
Seven years ago I moved to Florida the no basement zone, and to a large open concept ranch style home to boot. Acoustic nightmare.
The use of Room Correction tech drove me mad.
As the perfect can be the enemy of the good.
My "Solution" was to upgrade to more more aesthetically pleasing (to my wife of course) efficient power towers (first Def Tech STS, later ST-L) added to my SUB. Do I miss my dedicated basement Home Theater? Hell yes. Would I rather have stayed up north, left on the cold and divorce?
Hell no.
Go ahead use Room Correction EQ to your hearts content or to endless frustration, user beware.

satsam's picture

Hate to be dense but I’m not sure I understand how you used Audessey any differently than what you would normally do. Thanks.

3ddavey13's picture

Here are a few of the odd results I got from Audyssey on my Marantz SR7011. The corner subwoofer placement is 10' from my seating position. Audyssey would measure my old ported sub 25' or more away. I replaced it with an SVS SB3000 and now it's only 15' away. The other speakers are spot on.
I have 4 identical Atmos ceiling speakers. Audyssey correctly sets the crossover for the rear ones at 60 Hz but crosses over the front ones at 80.
My surround back speakers are bookshelf models rated at 45 Hz to 25 kHz. Sometimes they come up as large and other times as small.
When I compare the Audyssey result of my center speaker with a sound meter they differ by as much as 3db.
I'm the last one to trust my ears but I hear little or no difference with Audyssey engaged. Maybe it's the simple layout of my 14' x 18' room. The floor is thick vinyl, the drop-ceiling has acoustic tiles, and even though the walls are 1/4" wood paneling they are broken up by several bookcases, shelves and picture frames. I plan to eventually return to separates preferably with Dirac.

otis's picture

Room correction is a process by which you eliminate (or I should say, attempt to eliminate) the nasty acoustic qualities of a small room among us

stephanilope's picture

Excess reverberation, as well as more serious issues like sound bouncing off tile floors or one or more walls of windows, can be difficult to treat by slope ball. They can, however, be minimized, though not always in an acceptable manner. If you adore your gleaming tile floors, you may be opposed to covering them with a thick carpet. I agree with that opinion. A convincing explanation.

BertramBilton's picture

butterfly wing earrings have meanings both within their world and in the real world.

hennysmath12's picture

Make sure your speakers and subwoofer are properly heardle placed and connected to your AV receiver. If you have a microphone that came with your Audyssey system, connect it to your receiver as well.

sara167's picture

Thanks for sharing this information. I really like your blog post very much. You have really shared a informative and interesting blog post with people. usps tracking number

ivoo's picture

Sea holiday in Primorsko.
Hotel Rila Primorsko is located 150m from the south Primorsko beach. The hotel offers spacious rooms at
affordable prices.
Rila is a family Hotel located in the southern part of Primorsko near the south Primorsko beach.
It is located between Poseidon and the Fire Station in. There are many other hotels around.
It has been in service since 2005 and has become a favorite place for summer holiday on the sea for
many families looking for conditions for rest and recovery. The hotel is located only 150 meters from
the famous south beach, and in the same time in the quiet part of the resort.

Directory submission sites are something like yellow pages for websites and are not necessary for
local business only. Maybe in the past such websites were catalogues, but today they are the most
popular source of easy dofollow links to any emerging website.

http://bit.ly/3Ej2BiH
http://bit.ly/36Nh1a2

nanalyly's picture

Before you can use Audyssey Room Correction, you need to set up your home theater system properly contexto. Make sure your speakers are placed in the correct positions, and your receiver or amplifier is configured correctly.

nud15428's picture

bubble slides https://bubslides.com/

dletterle's picture

should've gone with always the last option so you get a lot of unupgraded stuff
https://vampire-survivors.io

Jadwal Dokter's picture

Thank you for the information. Jadwal Dokter

andree23's picture

Ensure that your speakers are properly positioned and connected to your receiver heardle unlimited or audio processor. Make sure your microphone is connected to the appropriate input on your receiver.

ajdajddlek123's picture

The article is really good. I found here looking for a good article because my heart was empty. There are a lot of different articles, so reading them makes me feel a bit empty. Next time I want to read an article about, please. 토토사이트

lorde's picture

Ensure that bloxd io your speakers are properly positioned and connected to your receiver or audio processor. Make sure that all the components are correctly set up before proceeding.

Lanikane's picture

Room correction is indeed a process aimed at addressing the acoustic issues present in a room, particularly small rooms Amanda The Adventurer where such problems are more noticeable. Even larger spaces like concert halls have their own unique acoustic challenges, but they differ in nature due to their size.

victorpatrick's picture

Bass problems, typically below 400-500 Hz, often arise from reflections between walls, leading to uneven bass response in different parts of the room. Bitlife

Whithen's picture

thank you

Holime's picture

There are no further comments on this article, this is a specific review and assessment of sound quality octordle

SERAS2's picture

https://bigbrothertitansn.com/

bigbrothertitansn.com

Big Brother Titans is the joint South African and Nigerian edition of the Big Brother franchise. The theme for the first season was "Ziyakhala Wahala".

================================================================

https://onlineiptvplayerz.com/

onlineiptvplayerz.com

IPTV is defined as the secure and reliable delivery to subscribers of entertainment video and related services.

==================================================================

https://dramaz24.com/

Watch best and latest K-Dramas on interenet online, without ads or anything for Free

dramaz24.com

Watch best and latest K-Dramas on interenet online, without ads or anything for Free.

---

https://bigbrothervipkosovalive.com/

bigbrothervipkosovalive.com

Kur do filloj big brother vip kosova dhe si do te jete edicioni i radhes? Njeri nder formatet me te medha televizive ne Kosove.

===

https://bbalbaniavip.com/

bbalbaniavip.com

Edicioni dhe teleshou me i ndjekur ne te gjitha trojet shqiptare Big Brother VIP Albania. Shiko Live Big Brother Albania LIVE ne webfaqen tone.

kingalex's picture

Keep in mind that Audyssey Room Correction can significantly improve audio quality, but it may not address all room acoustics issues. Consider additional acoustic treatments such as rugs, curtains, or bass traps to further enhance the listening experience.

Alex B.: Hills solar companies

BBVIPAL's picture

I love you for this info https://bbvipal.org also you can check and
https://bigbrotheralb.com and if like it

WilliamMoore's picture

When it comes to protecting your investment, a proper PPF maintenance guide is essential. With XPEL ULTIMATE PLUS, maintenance is relatively straightforward, but it's important to follow a few key steps to ensure the longevity of the film. This includes regular washing with a mild detergent, as well as avoiding harsh chemicals and abrasive materials during cleaning. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your PPF continues to provide optimal protection against stone chips, abrasions, and environmental damage, keeping your vehicle looking its best for years to come.

samanthabuntich's picture

Shiko Big Brother VIP Albania Live Falas - Big Brother 3 Live

Si mund të shikoj "Big Brother VIP" Live online?
Për të par “Big Brother VIP Albania” Live online 24/7, vizitoni faqen zyrtare të emisionit https://bigbrothervipalbania.cc/. Gjithmone sherbimi eshte falas dhe mund ta shikoni live 24 ore.

VEGASSLOTS's picture
vegasslot's picture
malansanni77's picture

Explore the strange and atmospheric environments of the Hello Neighbor game, from the dimly lit basement to the mysterious attic. Uncover hidden clues, solve puzzles and put the pieces of a scary story back together.

dotyhughes117's picture

Many thanks conducive towards the great data. Purely nondiscriminatory when upwards! basement waterproofing washington dc

Feltonrolfson's picture

It's awesome that you're diving into Audyssey room correction to enhance your audio experience! Did you know you can also optimize your fun with the online game monkey mart? It's a great way to unwind after tweaking your audio settings and puts you in charge of your own virtual store.

Sabryfcolas's picture

With their prompt responses and commitment to https://strlbet.com resolving issues, players can feel confident that they are in reliable hands whenever they require assistance. Estrela Bet's commitment to exceptional customer support ensures that players can enjoy a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience https://pxbtbet.com on the platform.

Sam Kitchen Remodeling's picture

That looks like a great sound system. kitchen remodeling bergen county

coopeyflewelling's picture

Found this very interesting, thank you! bathroom remodeling bergen county

Diana1327's picture

Your review is very well-written and provides a clear overview of the https://ulyagames.com, highlighting its key benefits and features.

Sean10782's picture

Sound and vision introduced me to so many things! bathroom remodeling bergen county

thedarkattitude's picture

Wow, what an incredible read! Thank you for sharing this insightful post. It deeply resonated with me, and I gained so much valuable information from it
gothic pants

Randallk1078's picture

These sound systems work very well. kitchen remodeling westchester ny

howardshepherd19's picture

thankfulness for sharing this Bathroom Remodeling Westchester NY

fritzsara5225's picture

I definitely savored every little bit of it and I submitted your site to some of the biggest social networks so others can find your blog. bathroom remodeling staten island

joedavidson's picture

This is quite interesting. Our residential drywall contractors mentioned a lot of good feedback regarding Audessy.

fritzsara5225's picture

I am very thank full for this act of kindness.i will come back soon is you have more idea about this. kitchen remodeling staten island

nowickarado73's picture

Then when I come back to it. conveyancing

adamschule85's picture

I can tell the author of this article really went above and beyond with the research for this content. building pest inspection

dotyhughes117's picture

I truly love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. kitchen remodeling cleveland oh

Briel's picture

Players in this game are challenged to survive a powerful skeleton's relentless attacks. The objective in bad time simulator is to dodge numerous projectiles and traps, enduring long enough to counter-attack. This game requires quick reflexes and strategic thinking, providing a thrilling and difficult experience.

dotyhughes117's picture

This post is highly helpful for me. Kitchen Remodeling Columbus OH

howardshepherd19's picture

For what it's worth, this challenge on the business model should be met head-on by the concerned industry. Basement Waterproofing Columbus OH

howardshepherd19's picture

Keep doing your great job and always gain my support. Bathroom Remodeling Cincinnati OH

howardshepherd19's picture

Fantastic precise info and this is one of the most nice blogs Ive read in a very long time. Kitchen Remodeling Cincinnati OH

joedavidson's picture

I recently purchased this item, and I'm finding it to be a great addition to my home theater setup at SgtShadow. The sound quality is excellent, and it's easy to use. In fact, I'm so happy with it that I'm considering buying another one!

darrendemers12's picture

Physical room treatments that can deal with bass, such as bass traps, are generally too large to be practical in a home situation. But electronic equalization, or room EQ, is a friendlier solution, though not a perfect one (there’s no such thing as perfection—in audio or anything else). cricut dragon svg USA

adamschule85's picture

We're out more or working out more. kitchen remodeling milwaukee wi

adamschule85's picture
howardshepherd19's picture

You should think of other ways kitchen remodeling albany ny

howardshepherd19's picture

Please carry on with it. bathroom remodeling albany ny

howardshepherd19's picture

This post was very nicely written
bathroom remodeling baltimore md

adamschule85's picture

I would love to learn more into this aspect. kitchen remodeling detroit mi

adamschule85's picture

Thank you for sharing to us. bathroom remodeling detroit mi

adamschule85's picture

I like studying a great deal more on this topic. kitchen remodeling asheville nc

dotyhughes117's picture

I will apply to the development of my blog. basement waterproofing milwaukee wi

dotyhughes117's picture

You earn an automatic share on my Fb profile for writing this. basement waterproofing atlanta ga

dotyhughes117's picture
udaray's picture

interesting content to read, visit my website percetakan jakarta timur

dotyhughes117's picture

This just came in minutes ago. kitchen remodeling akron oh

joedavidson's picture

This is quite interesting. Our residential drywall contractors mentioned a lot of good feedback regarding Audessy.

dotyhughes117's picture

Now I actually have to wait for a comment confirmation. bathroom remodeling chicago

dotyhughes117's picture

Thanks for the post. bathroom remodeling toledo oh

dotyhughes117's picture

Nice blog you have I’m wondering. kitchen remodeling toledo oh

Fredder's picture

High-frequency acoustic issues, like excessive reverberation or sound reflections from tile floors and glass walls, pose challenges in treatment. Balancing aesthetics with acoustic solutions can be tricky; opting for thick carpets over shiny tiles or heavy drapes over panoramic views isn't always feasible. Expert advice often suggests pricey speakers as a fix, but real solutions may demand acoustic treatments or relocation.

google

Geraldortiz's picture

Your article brings a completely new and creative perspective on this topic. Your creativity and innovative thinking is a great inspiration to readers. chatgpt alternative

Janwil's picture

It's great information you shared here. Awesome one! Germantown Roof Pros new roof

dotyhughes117's picture

I’ll bookmark your concrete contractors atlanta

dotyhughes117's picture

depredate as well as I'm indubitable many people concrete contractors boston ma

dotyhughes117's picture

Many thanks approving towards the great data. concrete contractors san francisco

Zabel's picture

Interesting post! Glad to check this information here. commercial window cleaning

azizgarbayo's picture

Simply by pressing one button, you can become an expert in the art of drifting by playing the drift boss game. Dive in, gather coins, and unlock new cars to experience a never-ending supply of fun.

Meriemay's picture

Que ce soit pour le droit pénal, le droit de la famille, la propriété intellectuelle ou les droits civils, votre contribution peut aider à éduquer le public, informer les professionnels du droit, et même susciter des débats importants dans la communauté juridique. website

dotyhughes117's picture

Do you guys have a facebook or myspace fan web page? concrete contractors phoenix

dotyhughes117's picture

There are many person searching about that now they will find enough resources by your post. concrete contractors albuquerque

dotyhughes117's picture

Thank you for sharing great information to us. concrete contractors dallas

dotyhughes117's picture

Happy to see your blog as it is just what I’ve looking for concrete contractors san antonio

dotyhughes117's picture

You did a great way of organizing these data into a more comprehensible format even for newbies. concrete contractors houston

dotyhughes117's picture

That's really thoughtful of him. concrete contractors new orleans

dotyhughes117's picture

Its like you read my mind! concrete contractors st louis mo

dotyhughes117's picture

Your idea couldn’t have most certainly been written any better. concrete contractors memphis

adamschule85's picture

Purely nondiscriminatory when upwards! concrete contractors tampa

adamschule85's picture

I know for one, that I will follow your posts in every method I can. concrete contractors jacksonville

Briel's picture

In this game, players are divided into teams and placed on isolated islands with beds they need to protect. Resources such as gold, iron, and emeralds are used to purchase tools for defense and offense. In bed wars the aim is to destroy the beds of opponents while defending your own. Without a bed, players can’t respawn, so losing it increases the pressure. The game ends when only one team remains with a bed intact, creating a suspenseful and strategic experience.

adamschule85's picture

You realize, a lot of persons are hunting around for this info. concrete contractors nashville

adamschule85's picture

I’ve subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick! Have a nice day! concrete contractors charlotte nc

Pages

X