Experienced only: What have you done with room correction?

Thanks for the clear explanations! Didn’t realize all the possible executions. 

burtle,

Please tell me which advice/direction/system from the above

you plan to employ???

Also, will room correction removed unwanted distorted viewpoints?

Erik,

Full disclosure: We design and manufacture speaker systems (in the USA) that use full DSP, specifically digital crossovers and room correction.

First, DSP (Digital Signal Processing) is a broad term. Basically, anywhere there is digital signal there is DSP. Digital crossovers and room correction are a subset of DSP.

DSP/room correction (DSP/RC) can be much more than amplitude correction, often refereed to EQ. DSP/RC users only applying EQ are using only part of the technology's capabilities. There are simple units that are basically digital equalizers.

Comprehensive DSP/RC systems compensate for amplitude domain and time domain anomalies. Don't underestimate the importance of time domain corrections.

During the development of our Apollo series speaker systems we studied analog passive crossovers, analog active crossovers and digital crossovers for them. We developed the Apollos using all three technologies. Exploring digital crossovers allowed us to experiment with DSP/RC. We found that there are two basic categories: Manual, that requires much experience to sort out and semi-automatic, which are more user friendly. Our supplied DSP unit is user friendly.

We found that applying DSP/RC to a poorly designed speaker doesn’t automatically turn it into a gem. What we did prove to ourselves is that applying DSP/RC to a good speaker allows that speaker to get much closer to its full potential and do so in a much greater variety of listening rooms. And in many cases, improve the measured performance. Time domain issues inherent in the design are corrected.

IMHO, I have found that properly applied high quality DSP/RC makes the system sound more balanced from top to bottom, improves resolution, improves dynamic contrast, eliminates stress and just sounds more complete.

BTW, ASP (Analog Signal Processing) is a term not often used by audiophiles. Basically, anywhere there is an analog signal there is ASP. Technically, ASP/RC can be developed and applied to a system.

I've used a couple of versions of Anthem's ARC over a decade or so, with many loudspeakers. On general principles, I turn it on only if the positive effect on smoothing in-room frequency response seems "worth it" and the better the resolution of your system is, the easier it is to hear the software doing its thing.

Three observations:

1. After the measurements are made, I inspect the in-room response curves and apply RC only up to the lowest frequency at which it seems to be making a meaningful difference. Ideally, no higher than 500Hz, never more than 2000Hz.

2. Attempting to correct a dip in FR is much less likely to help the cause than a judicious trim to a peak.

3. The benefits for a multichannel system are especially evident.

4. Having capable DSP room correction won't eliminate the need for room treatment with physical measures in certain situations.

@jeffseight 

i was pondering a low cost experiment with the DSpeaker system for about $300, but when I noticed the analog in/out I started thinking about the extra D/A conversion and decided for now to focus on room treatments, which is also what the above responses suggest anyway.  Will be giving GIK a call next week…