I've been doing audio measurements for a long time (1971 or so I did my first mind-blowing oscilloscope sweep) but never really got serious about room modes and reflections until the past two months. I've also been doing parametric EQ based room correction for 5 years or so. First in my bedroom system (used to be my #1 system) I started using Behringer DEQ 2496 and DCX 2496 combo 6 years ago, dialed in a bunch of parametrics using listening and all kinds of measurements by ear/subjective and a collection of antique and new measuring equipment (antiques include GR 1933 SPL and Bruel and Kjaer stuff, newer stuff included ECM8000, Giardin (used with LAUD 3), Ivie IE30 with ACO mike). Reworked this many times. Then brought in a Tact RCS 2.0 (mainly because I thought a digital preamp would be cool, bypassing all need for analog conversions in my system until the DCX). I did a few tries with the RCS system on this bedroom system, then decided to stick with my hand-tuned parametrics instead which focus on bass correction at headboard (wall) listening position. The speakers are Revel M20 with SVS 1646 tube subwoofer.
Meanwhile, living room system finally took the lead when I got a pair of Acoustat 1+1 (I'd long dreamed of having these) in 2008. In short order, I added SVS PB13 Ultra, DCX, and Tact RCS 2.0. Amplifer was upgraded to Krell FPB 300 (currently using Parasound HCA-1500 and have two PB13's).
Last year in January I tried Tact RCS much more seriously in living room system (don't have DEQ in living room system) and seemed pleased with the results, as were my friends in many long listening sessions through December. But I was becoming more and more annoyed with bass boom. While the listening position (then 33% from back wall, now 38%) was set to my pleasant bass-rising room curve, the rest of the 1750cuft room was shaking very badly and annoyingly.
Now I finally realize you cannot really correct room with just EQ, you (or at least I) need to add bass trapping and such. The modes aren't "optimal" but aren't really that bad either (no sore thumb), just normal, maybe even slightly better than average for this size room. The room just needs trapping from 36Hz (if I could do that) on up. Unfortunately, as a highly packed multipurpose room, it isn't going to be easy to add the necessary trapping, and I'm no handyman (I've already surveyed about 20 products on my audio blog based on online information).
Meanwhile, I've started looking at the modal issues using REW and ModeCalc. Right now using Galaxy CM-140 and next Behringer ECM8000 (couldn't find it until this morning since I've only been using Tact microphone for past year). I also need to do some HF adjustment, I moved listening position closer to speaker, gave me much better imaging but peaky HF axial response, so I need to readjust speaker angle. I plan to get RplusD (successor to ETF) soon and maybe a nice Earthworks M40 to really understand the mid/HF part of the equation, as well as the modes, alignments, and other things (I have digital delays programmed for all speakers programmed into DCX, Tact impulse looks pretty good).
Meanwhile, living room system finally took the lead when I got a pair of Acoustat 1+1 (I'd long dreamed of having these) in 2008. In short order, I added SVS PB13 Ultra, DCX, and Tact RCS 2.0. Amplifer was upgraded to Krell FPB 300 (currently using Parasound HCA-1500 and have two PB13's).
Last year in January I tried Tact RCS much more seriously in living room system (don't have DEQ in living room system) and seemed pleased with the results, as were my friends in many long listening sessions through December. But I was becoming more and more annoyed with bass boom. While the listening position (then 33% from back wall, now 38%) was set to my pleasant bass-rising room curve, the rest of the 1750cuft room was shaking very badly and annoyingly.
Now I finally realize you cannot really correct room with just EQ, you (or at least I) need to add bass trapping and such. The modes aren't "optimal" but aren't really that bad either (no sore thumb), just normal, maybe even slightly better than average for this size room. The room just needs trapping from 36Hz (if I could do that) on up. Unfortunately, as a highly packed multipurpose room, it isn't going to be easy to add the necessary trapping, and I'm no handyman (I've already surveyed about 20 products on my audio blog based on online information).
Meanwhile, I've started looking at the modal issues using REW and ModeCalc. Right now using Galaxy CM-140 and next Behringer ECM8000 (couldn't find it until this morning since I've only been using Tact microphone for past year). I also need to do some HF adjustment, I moved listening position closer to speaker, gave me much better imaging but peaky HF axial response, so I need to readjust speaker angle. I plan to get RplusD (successor to ETF) soon and maybe a nice Earthworks M40 to really understand the mid/HF part of the equation, as well as the modes, alignments, and other things (I have digital delays programmed for all speakers programmed into DCX, Tact impulse looks pretty good).