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CARA - Room Acoustic Software

We're very much not into doing sales-pitch type posts, but after reading through several threads in this forum, we realized that questions regarding software for room acoustics were frequent enough that if we tried to answer every thread, we'd *really* feel obnoxious!

So... the lesser of two evils

CARA is a comprehensive room acoustic modelling package designed and developed by German physicist: Dr. Ulrich Thomanek. Dr. Thomanek worked with ELAC GmbH for many years and used computer models to bring their loudspeakers to be the number two in Germany.

He started ELAC Technische Software as a spinoff dedicated to his computer programs associated with loudspeaker modelling and room acoustics. CARA 2.0 is the product.

Rather than get into too many details here, I'll send you to www.cara.de where they have lots of information regarding CARA and a walkthrough. The site is in both English and German.

Early last year, Rhintek became the US representative for ETS and CARA. We have a strong background in software development, but are relatively new to the high-end audio industry. Our website is: www.rhintek.com

Thanks for your time, I'll probably be lurking around here on occasion as it looks like this forum is a good place for me to gain more understanding.

Kristin VanVranken,
Rhintek Incorporated
kristin3e25
mgmeyersff74
1 posts
 
Would I give Cara all the dimensions and positions, and then have it tell me what I get?
Or, would I give Cara all the dimensions and peices of furniture, etc, and then have it tell me where to put things?

I could give Cara a pile of scenarios for what I would try, but I would rather start by rearranging my room to suit what Cara says is best.
Then, to be able to relocate one piece at a time and see what Cara says about that, since, I don't doubt it would give me something unlivable.
Otherwise, it sounds like quite a long haul, where I have to keep inputting arrangements and wait for the best results.
kr4ef94
208 posts
 
"Would I give Cara all the dimensions and positions, and then have it tell me what I get? Or, would I give Cara all the dimensions and peices of furniture, etc, and then have it tell me where to put things?"

The former. OTOH, you can restrict the pieces, limiting it to speakers and room dimensions/materials and get an optimum placement. Then you can add each piece of furniture, testing for best positioning.

In the long run, an intermediate strategy is preferred where only the essential furniture is included. Then you can study the 3D graphs to see what places are good/bad for the other stuff.

Easy? No but it works better than actually moving furniture and trying to remember if it sounds better or worse.
bstan1274
1 posts
 
2 questions and some comments:

1) Does CARA include speaker info for the Dynaduio Contour 2.8 tower?

2) Will the soon to be released 2.1 software version (due the middle of 12/01) be a free upgrade to those that purchase version 2.0?

I use a software based (MLS) impulse response system (ETF5 $150) with a calibrated microphone.

This system provides amazing results (impulse response, frequency response, waterfall charts) for analysis and recording of my changes. It also does so in pseudo-real-time i.e. I can make changes and watch them appear as frequency graphs on the screen 4 seconds later.

CARA sounds like the perfect companion for me.
alessandrob
1 posts
 
Does CARA works with Electrostatic speakers?
I have Martin Logan Monolith III.
Thanks alex
amir
1 posts
 
Has anyone modeled Paradigm reference studio 60, Studio 20,
Studio CC or PS 1000 sub. The sub's driver is internal and is not exposed with only three open ports. I can not figure out how to specify the type and position of the driver since internal is not an option. Also does anyone know where can I find the impedance information required by CARA. I appreciate any help. Regards

Amir
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