Is DEQX a game changer?

Yes Jeff, DEQX inspired me to build my own speakers.

I had always been impressed with Open Baffle designs because of the lack of cabinet colouration and great transient speed so I set about building various prototypes several years ago, using my original HDP-3. Once voiced exactly as wanted, I then commissioned a CNC workshop to produce the final frames in zebrano bamboo.

When you master the workings of DEQX (no mean task!), speaker building and tweaking is fascinating. I recommend going to the trouble to take measurements outdoors which produce an almost pure anechoic response (in my most recent example, windowing calibrations to 31ms before even a slight reflection, only from the mic stand). The cleaner the initial data, the better will be the final result.

Being able to use 4 preset configs with differing crossover types, frequencies and slopes enables you to listen instantly ’on-the-fly’ with music playing, although I suggest newcomers start with the DEQX defaults until you understand the various interactions. You can then go much deeper, configuring for minimum phase or minimum delay etc and learning exactly how to bring the best out of each individual driver. It’s also great that DEQX measurements treat everything downstream of the processor as one, meaning that the impact of your cabling & amplification is also taken care of by the resulting calibration - as long as you don’t change anything of course!

I learned quite fast, for instance that the tweeters in my setup had one ’perfect’ crossover point for both they & the midranges below - above this frequency there was some beaming and thickening but crossing lower, treble became subtly more brittle. Also, by trying various natural wool tweeter surround shapes & placements, measuring & listening again in-room, everything was finally clearer, more focused & smooth than any other speaker I have heard. Being able to make a change, set it into your main config and listen to music for days or even weeks before further adjustment in one of the other 3 presets means you really can be sure that changes are beneficial. Everything is also reversible or repeatable.

Please let us know how you get on & various of us here will be happy to assist if needs be. I was asked to look through the draft of the most recent DEQX manual as an experienced ’user’ by Kim Ryrie before it was published & I can confirm that it is now much more user friendly & logical to follow. It should be much easier than when I started out!

Andrew

Well recently I upgraded my Mate to a Premate.  What a world of difference.  The loss of harmonic warmth and fullness with the Mate is no longer and issue.  When I received my Premate, I actually pulled my DAC out of the signal chain and utilized the premate as the DAC between my music server and preamp.  This was suppose to be an initial test of quality but boy was I surprised.  With the premate in bypass I was instantly aware the signal was more clear and presenting firm pratt.  My existing DAC was no slouch.  It was a Bel Canto 1.5 with a $700 linear power supply replacing the wall wart.  Shall I say my hot-rodded Bel Canto is a little smoother with a touch of bloom.  The Premate is as I stated above plus articulate.  This may be a bit much for some systems, but it blended perfect with mine.  I have 135 watt 811A tube push pull monoblocks and a tubed preamp.  I already have warm rich harmonic tone.  A bit of clean clear signal did the setup well.

I am particularly excited to start utilizing the actual room correction features of the DEQX.  I have not done anything yet because I just ordered a new set of DIY speakers.  I purchased the PureAudioProject Trio 10 with AMT and Mundorf silver oil crossovers.  The gentlemen at PureAudioProject are very professional and easy to work with.  I ordered just the drivers and crossover.  I have a decent woodshop so I am going to build the baffles my self.  Yes these are open baffle speakers.  Once I ordered my parts they provided very detailed plans along with some picture on how to make my baffles. 

In the future I may utilize my DEQX more fully by byamping the system, but for now, my equipment takes up enough room, and amps cost $. 

I did start reading the manual.  It is pretty clear on how to open projects and measure the speakers.  That is about as far as I got.  Larry is going to calibrate the setup once I have it complete.  I am doing the preliminary work to save time.  I have been laboring over where to do the outdoor measurement.  I live in a city so my fence is about 22 feet from my deck.  I have trees and shrubs in my yard plus some rock walls.  The front porch/yard is more open, but I feel a little funny having my gear on the lawn for all the neighbors to see.  I'm sure the calibration sound would call some people from their houses to see what going on. 

Thanks all for putting this page together.  This forum helped push me to get the DEQX.  So far it has improved upon my setup and I only have it in bypass.  In time I will try and put links to the build of my speakers and post on how the calibration goes. 

I have recently discovered linear bass is the single most important thing in my system (to me, to my ears).  Now, it is amazing to listen to.  I am under the impression that DEQX gives you linear bass.  Cannot underestimate linear bass.  

Thanks Andrew!  That is exactly what I'm hoping to do.  I cannot wait until I can get an HDP5!