Measuring speakers

there is also SW that dive you greater control than CD test discs (this may be what Jamscience is refering to to make discs). I have 2 packages, one freeware called "Multigen" is a frequency generator that generates simply sine waves - it has continuously variable frequency. It also allows more complex harmonics contruction. The other is AQT (Audio Quick Test) - it's more sophisticated and costs $. The entry version is $30. I'm only a user of these, not afilaited with either company. I have them loaded on a laptop that I connect to a pre-in for testing in room setup. I us the RS meter for amplitude measurements, but as has been said, this is highly imprecise. Finally, Jamscience's suggestion to burn a cd is a great idea for more quick testing. It's much easier to load up a cd, than to connect up a laptop, boot up, etc, if all you want to do is run a quick scan.

The Behringer DEQ2496 has a spectrum analyser function, and is cheap enough to be bought simply for this feature. (About $350 including microphone). Much easier to use than the RS meter and test CDs.

Furthermore, after you see your in-room frequency response, and recover from the shock, you can go about fixing it using the automatic equalization feature.

When I test my speakers, I use a Rolls MO2020 signal generator and my RS sound meter. I find it to be very effective.

Eldartford,
I use the DEQ 2496 as well. Wouldn't you still need a test cd as well? If I am wrong please fill me in, but I believe the unit only has a pink noise generator. I am not questioning your knowledge, but you got me questioning mine. I could be missing out on some very useful features of this EQ.

Thanks

Nuguy...For frequency response measurement and correction all you need is the internally generated noise signal. However, a test CD, such as the one put out by Denon, includes other tracks that I have found useful.