Looking for recommendations to use Rives Audio ...


Looking for recommendations from clients that have used Rives Audio services to design their listening room or home theater? What were your experiences? Would you use them again? Was it worth the expense? I have debating whether to use their services or to try do it myself. Thank you for any information.
esb
Rives Audio is owned and operated by one of the long-time Audiogon "regulars", and I have always found his comments to be technically sound and helpful.

I recently purchased the "Rives Audio Test CD", which is used to test your room acoustics to see where there are peaks and valleys in the frequency response curve. There are 2 sets of frequency sweeps (each with 32 frequencies), and one of the sets of tones is specifically calibrated for use with the Radio Shack analog SPL meter. The test disk, with shipping, is about $20, and is an excellent tool for evaluating your room's acoustics.

I suggest you buy the Rives test CD (and the Radio Shack SPL meter, if you don't already own it), and evaluate your room. Then you can talk to Rives directly to determine if their PARC analog equalizer can improve the frequency response in your room, or whether you will need more sweeping changes.
I'm in the process of building a dedicted listening room and am using Rives. I'm in the early stages of the construction segment, but my experience with Rives is similar to gladstone above: very knowledgeable and helpful. My room designs are top shelf.When the room is done I plan on posting the results. I'd give them a call and discuss your options with Richard.