Do you trust your ears more than measurements?

Ear, Measurements, Knowledge, Final Ear

These Speakers In That Space (assuming speakers do NOT have level controls)

1. place speakers in your Preferred Location. Listen. Refine that location and toe-in by EAR

 

2. MEASURE, whataya got, __________? write that Knowledge down.

a. inexpensive sound pressure meter, bottom hole for tripod, seated ear height

https://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-Pressure-30-130dBA-Warranty/dp/B00ECCZWWI

b. frequency test tracks, I use tracks 9 to 38

https://www.discogs.com/release/7290000-Various-Amazing-Bytes

3. FIND best location and toe-in using MEASUREMENTS.

 

4. Listen, any reason not to use your preferred location?

 

5. Tone Controls, both measure and final Listen

 

6. Equalizer Needed?

 

7. Room Treatments Needed?

​....................................................

Speakers WITH Level Controls

Those Speakers in _____? Space is what Level Controls are for.

Measure, adjust, measure, then listen, change to taste, BUT, to maintain excellent Imaging, (no frequency wander) you need measurements. 

Move the speakers to a different space, use the Level Controls: Those Speakers for That Space

I'm assuming and hoping the manufacturers of my equipment do some measurements but there is no reason for me to do any at home.  I setup by ear the way I prefer it.  I definitely spend some time doing that.  Listening is a skill. Hone stand learn to trust it

@knotscott i agree. I always trust my ears. They have to bring joy to your ears. 

I’ve found that with reliable sources and using both, that my ears typically help confirm what the metrics indicate. So the stars have been aligning pretty well for me in that regard of late…..the best of both worlds.

@calvinj for sake of mild curiosity - do you employ DSP in your setup, and if you do, are DSP settings being adjusted by ear?