How far can room treatments solve boomy bass?

Yes, placement first. Correct amp to speaker matching is also a first step. After this, all systems should use the treatments outlined in my email. All systems will be improved greatly!

It won't suffice, if you just don't believe me, it is ok with me. But when you measure the room you will see with your own eyes. I have made lots of measurements.
The Room analyzer is so easy and it is within +/-1db. Bass modes are tricky. I had my room drawn to get best online help with ideas and bough very much more units than i was told i would need. It did not do. I also had a pro acoustical company over here to overlook the room and what i had done and other options.
I must admit, it is ofcourse pending on the room. I have noticed many just don't gripe this or maybe, when they understand the costs to do it good, it is a burden they just don't accept. But on the other hand. When we evaluate gear, it is difficult to honestly say what they do or just won't when acoustics interacts as much as it does. The bass "colours" so much. When it is under control, you'll notice an improvment in the midrange and the top end also. Depth, 3-d, PRAT, presence etc etc.
Gears you might have been rejecting, might be good. I have talked to a few dealers aware of this and they also say, many people ending up repeating mistakes based on faulty assumptions. I think it's a bit sad. I've been through 11 apartments and none of them was perfect, far from it.
A small room can actually work good if taken care of. I am no expert, far from it. But since i have leveled alot with Gik and the pro company overhere i have learned that i must cope with what matters to void even more costly mistakes.
I would start off buying Tritraps stacked on top of each other in all corners. Also using 244 and 242 behind the speakers and if possible, 242 or a diffusor in the ceiling.
The PARC is an analog piece of equiptment and not as most of them, digital. When you use the PARC, the Gik (or similar gears and brands) gear is actually making even more sense. I am not writing this to stomp on anyones toes. I do it due to the fact i now know, i should have gone this route earlier. I know this phenomena cause quite a stir in the head for some. It might seem a bit "too much"!
True and fully working low frequent absorbers must be huge to work. Those small devices doesn't "fix" low bass. This is why the PARC is existing in the first place.
Sorry if this seems like bad news coming from me,... i truely am.

Martykl and Inpieces, is the DRC or Rives Audio PARC some sort of room analyzer, or itself an EQ? Sounds like the PARK stays in the system and equalizes out the room nodes?

How does analyzing the room and knowing what's wrong help? Guiding your choices in room treatments?

Ivan, is there such a thing as a high quality equalizer, either graphic or parametric? And where does it go in the system?

Ivan, I'll try the ports. Think a hand towel is good material?

Given how many people have room problems and throw thousands at the room and equipment, you would think somebody would make a "hifi acceptable" parametric EQ to just deal with these nodes. With 22 tubes and platinum knobs :-)....then nobody will diss it. Maybe the PARC is along these lines.

Thanks everyone!

You can't fix acoustic problems with EQ. You're using the wrong tool. Fix the acoustics, and THEN see where you stand.

My understanding is that the PARC is an analog variation of room EQ. Audysey, ARC et al work in the digital domain. I'm not sure whether PARC includes an RTA function (room analyzer), but if it doesn't you'll probably use a stand-alone RTA for set-up.

As to Ja2's contention that you can't fix acoustic problems with EQ, I'd respectfully disagree. Respectfully, but emphatically. Modern parametric EQ is an amazing thing and - to my ear - makes a bigger improvement in overall sound than just about any other change you'd make in a system. To test this claim, find any AVR with Audyssey and do a "before/after".

As always, however, YMMV.

Marty