Digital Room Correction For Speakers

I tried DSpeaker, ARC/Paradigm PBK, a JBL Synthesis EQ and Audyssey to no avail. Of those, ARC was the best, but it still messes with areas I don't want it to mess with. 

I have opted for a Mini DSP with an Earthworks Mic to measure from the listening position. I will start first by saying you’ll have room nodes no matter what software you use or physical traps you have. They can mitigate it slightly but the software needs ‘tools’ to assist it and those are other speakers that can offset the waves building up in the room. . . I have four subs and run my speakers at full range to correct my room issues.

You do the measurements in Room EQ Wizard and process the results in Multi Sub Optimizer both free and powerful (please donate to the cause). It seems daunting at first but if you follow a tutorial on MSO and use your data it is fairly easy. The mic needs an interface to the Mini DSP and they make one that will work ok if you use a low cost USB Mic. The Earthworks needs a power source and so I have a audio interface with two channels, one to be used as a loopback timing reference and one as a balanced connection to the mic with level adjustments on it. The USB then interfaces with the computer as a USB Mic would.

Anyway you can enter up to 12 biquad filters for each channel in the Mini DSP which is impressive and extremely powerful. You will be blown away by the accuracy and how clean the sound and image become after going through this excercise. I’m happy to give some tips if you want to dive in, it isn’t without a cost: I have almost as much invested in my subs as my main speakers (I don’t think this is totally necessary but good subs are a must), space considerations, and added complexity to the system.

I assume you've already done this, but in case you haven't I'd try pulling your speakers further out into the room and maybe toe them in a little more. 

If you really like your speakers and can't tame the bass hump with placement or additional room treatments, I'd definitely go for some room EQ rather than go through the hassle and expense of finding new speakers that may end up having the same problem.  Don't think you can go wrong with the DSpeaker X4, but it's got a lot of features you're not gonna use, which seems a shame.  You might consider the anti-mode 2.0 with the outboard power supply and save $2500.  I know the review mentioned above said it had some noise and imaging shortcomings, but I've not read that from other reviews and I'd bet the upgraded power supply will help in those areas.  FWIW.  Here's the link to Underwood Hifi...

https://www.underwoodhifi.com/products/dspeaker

Best of luck with this, and let us know how you make out. 

Thanks SOIX2:

I appreciate your feedback and have been talking to Underwood Hifi and will most likely go with room EQ. My only fear with EQ is that it might take away the good sound and not only the bass. Do you use any room EQ?

Thanks,
Sam

soix +1.