SMS-1 or Behringer DCX2496

**n737nc** · **12-25-07, 08:35 AM**

I've been reading and reading, and my head is absolutely spining!

What I have is a 5.2 system, consisting of:

Preamp-Sherwood P-965
Amp-ATI 1505
Main towers are HTD level 3
Center channel is HTD level 3
Rears are in walls, HTD brand HD-80's
1 HSU VTF3 HO
1 HSU MBM-12

And I also have a HSU VTF3 MKII that isn't being used at all. I'm in the process of trying to figure out if the MBM/VTF3 HO combo is better than running the VFT3 HO/ VTF3 MKII. But thats a whole other thread in itself.

What I want is absolute sound quality(mainly with the subs). Plain and simple. I want to set it all up once, and walk away. As much as I love tinkering with stuff, I seem to mess things up more than help when I get to tinkering

I have no way to manage my system right now, other than by the Sherwood's auto set up, and by ear. Seems that I'm always having to mess with the sub's settings in order to get thing where I want.

Will either of these 2 devices(SMS-1 or Behringer DCX2496) help in my situation? If you need more info, please ask. I'm sure you guys are going to need more info from me to help. So please ask.

Thanks, and Merry Christmas!

Nick

**Sonnie** · **12-25-07, 10:42 AM**

Hello Nick and welcome to the Shack!

Is there a particular reason you would want a DCX2496... I think maybe you intended to mean the DEQ2496. None the less... a DSP1124P would most likely do all you need and they can be purchased for $100 or less.

First things first though. Check out the REW Forum and read up on it, then download it and measure the response in your room. Let's see what you have to deal with before deciding what you need.

**n737nc** · **12-25-07, 03:41 PM**

Sounds good.
I started reading up on the REW. But only working off of a laptop, and no mic inputs. Need to get that squared away first I guess.

Thanks for the reply!

**Sonnie** · **12-25-07, 04:18 PM**

Yep... you will need an outboard sound card. There are probably some good recommendations in the REW Forum. You'll also need an appropriate SPL meter and/or mic/preamp setup.

**P-P-S-S** · **12-25-07, 04:24 PM**

What is the Mic in port needed for?

**Sonnie** · **12-25-07, 09:21 PM**

It could be used to plug the mic into so that it could read the room measurements, but we generally do not recommend using the Mic input on laptops for REW because it usually doesn't produce accurate results.

**n737nc** · **12-26-07, 06:03 AM**

Quote:

Sonnie wrote:

It could be used to plug the mic into so that it could read the room measurements, but we generally do not recommend using the Mic input on laptops for REW because it usually doesn't produce accurate results.

So what input do I need to be looking for? I'm starting to look for soundcards now. I am wanting to get this thing set up so I can take some measurements, get them posted here, then get my subs sounding good once and for all

**JimP** · **12-26-07, 06:24 AM**

Nick,

Greetings

I am very much a tinkerer, but would still recommend the SMS-1 over the Behringer route. By the time you buy the Behringer unit, buy the flat response testing microphone, deal with external sound cards, then preamps(yes Nick, you're going to need a preamp), then cables, cable adapters, then trips to buy this stuff....you're just not that far apart from the actual dollars of a SMS-1(when purchased at the lower end of its price range). In my limited experience doing it both ways, the SMS-1 sounds better(with the latest software). With the Behringer method you will also have to deal with microphone calibration files system files and learning curves with both REW and the Behringer unit.

**n737nc** · **12-26-07, 06:36 AM**

I don't know if I'm alowed to post links or not. But would this work for me?

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...X0DER&v=glance

Plug the mic directly into this, then use the USB cable to hook up to the computer.

**Sonnie** · **12-26-07, 12:48 PM**

If I were going to buy that then I would definitely take Jim's recommendation and buy the SMS-1.

Quote:

By the time you buy the Behringer unit, buy the flat response testing microphone, deal with external sound cards, then preamps(yes Nick, you're going to need a preamp), then cables, cable adapters, then trips to buy this stuff....you're just not that far apart from the actual dollars of a SMS-1(when purchased at the lower end of its price range).

That might be a little dramatic and exaggerated.

There are definitely a couple of choices here... and it boils down to how much you want to spend and what learning curves you are willing to conquer.

The least expensive route is less than $150, considerably less than any price you'll find for the SMS-1... and no need to make any trips anywhere... have it all delivered to your doorstep.

You don't actually have to have a mic preamp if you already have a Radio Shack SPL meter. If you don't have one, you can order one from SVSound for $44.

You can get the DSP1124P from the Shack Store for as little as $80 used / $88 new.

The USB external sound card that most are using (including myself) is the Creative Sound Blaster MP3+ and you can get it straight from Creative for $10.

You may have some of the cables you need lying around, but it you have to buy all of them, you should still spend less than $20. You can order all of your cables and adapters from Part-Express.

If you wanted a better quality SPL meter you could up the ante to $99 for the Galaxy CM-140 from Musicians Friend... but it not absolutely necessary to spend that much. If you did you'd still come in at less than $225 or so.

If you choose the inexpensive route... you'll have to learn how to use the BFD and REW, which is more difficult for some than others... which is of course one reason we have the forum to help...

**n737nc** · **12-26-07, 01:01 PM**

Thanks Sonnie,

I placed an order for some of those things already. Seems that most of the people here are using the 1124, and I figure it's only $100, so even if it doesn't do everything I need, It will still provide me with the learning curve that I need.

One question though, local Rat Shack only has the digital meters. Is this ok to use or should I order the analog meter?

Thanks!!!!
Nick

**Sonnie** · **12-26-07, 01:04 PM**

The digital SPL meter will work fine.

**n737nc** · **12-26-07, 01:06 PM**

Awesome! Thank you sir!

Jim, no disrespect to your recomendation, but I'm going to take the cheaper way out for the moment. If that doesn't work for me, I may consider the SMS. But at $500, it's going to be tough to swallow.

Thanks for all the advice! As soon as my orders come in, I'm sure I'll be flooding you guys with questions!

Nick

**JimP** · **12-26-07, 02:52 PM**

What, me dramatic????? lol

Nick.....are you anywhere near Montgomery or Luverne?

I can't speak for Sonnie, but if you're near Montgomery I can come buy and try to help you get up and going. Maybe Sonnie can do the same if he's closer to you.

**n737nc** · **12-26-07, 03:16 PM**

Wish I was closer, thats an awesome offer!
I live in Dallas, Tx. Quite a ways from you. Sure wish I lived closer though

**JimP** · **12-26-07, 04:12 PM**

Wish you were closer. We could knock it out in a few hours.

The people on this forum are phenominal for being helpful.

Its best to stay with the same basic setup that everyone else is using so that you don't run into anything weird that no one else has had to deal with.

Best of luck.

**Sonnie** · **12-26-07, 04:39 PM**

Absolutely... I'll help anyone close enough. Dallas might be a little out of my reach though.

We do have about 50 members from the Dallas area... including one of our staff, Ron Carlton (rcarlton). Although I'm not sure if he fiddles with any of this or not. If nothing else, when you are done you might call on him for some therapy.

**n737nc** · **12-27-07, 09:13 AM**

I really appreciate the offer from both of you guys! That is very generous. Wish we were closer so I could take advantage of it.

I do have another question though. All together, I have 3 subs. So far, only 2 of them have been hooked up at one time. Just got a splitter, and am going to try all 3 together to see how we like them.
Subs are...

HSU VTF3 HO w/Turbo
HSU VTF3 MKII
HSU MBM-12

The HO w/Turbo, and the MBM are my 2 main subs, and I am going to stick with those 2 regaurdless. My question is, should I add the VTF3 MKII into the mix? I have a total of 6000cu ft of space that these subs have to fill. I did a little research with the subs, and swapped out the MBM and the MKII, and left the HO w/Turbo hooked up.

The MKII and the HO w/Turbo combo sounded very good! LOTS of deep bass!
The MBM and the HO w/Turbo combo also sounded very good, but was lacking in the deep bass. But the midrange made up for it. Now when I say lacking, obviously it's not lacking that much. The HO w/Turbo is an awesome sub. I guess after I heard how much deep bass I can get with it combined with the MKII, I got spoiled

My thinking here is add all 3 of the subs, and I can have the good mid bass from the MBM, and also a good amount of deep bass from the HO w/Turbo and the MKII.

Now there's always a negative with anything. The negative with running all 3 subs is placement. I am attaching a layout of our space. Where the subs are in this layout, is where they will have to stay if I run all 3. Please let me know what you think....

**JimP** · **12-27-07, 09:32 AM**

Nick,

Do you have REW setup on a computer?

**n737nc** · **12-27-07, 09:35 AM**

Quote:

JimP wrote:

Nick,

Do you have REW setup on a computer?

I have it on my laptop, but waiting for the soundcard to get here. Should be here by the 2nd of Jan. As soon as that comes in, I will try and figure out how to work it, and post a graph.

**Sonnie** · **12-27-07, 01:04 PM**

Things can get really touchy with three subs scattered about like this, but it may work. I would wait on the soundcard and look at some response measurements to start with.

**n737nc** · **12-27-07, 01:08 PM**

Quote:

Sonnie wrote:

Things can get really touchy with three subs scattered about like this, but it may work. I would wait on the soundcard and look at some response measurements to start with.

After talking with Pete from HSU. He advised me to move things around a bit. Here is the latest that I plan to try out this evening. As you can see, we've just moved the MBM closer to the HO w/Turbo. I'm not sure how this will look, nor do I know if this will be girlfriend approved. We shall wait and see this afternoon

**Sonnie** · **12-27-07, 01:19 PM**

Keeping them in 2 locations should help. You will probably have to adjust the phase on the pair closest to you.

**n737nc** · **12-27-07, 01:23 PM**

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