ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
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MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
When adjusting my surround setup I found out that there is a cool iPhone app that helped me a lot.
It listens to the test signal of the center channel and creates a reference value that is shown in percent.Then you can switch the test-signal to the next speaker and the app shows you how loud this channel is compared to the other one.So it's a kind of a SPL meter optimized for tuning a surround setup.
I think that it was much more accurate than my ears. :-)
Just search for "polytrim" in the app store.
- BeoMotion
BeoMotion: When adjusting my surround setup I found out that there is a cool iPhone app that helped me a lot.
Although the "surround calibration" apps would probably work okay for the main channels, I would HIGHLY recommend that you not use them to align the subwoofer level if you have a BeoSystem 4, BeoVision 11 or BeoPlay V1 (and you're using the internally-generated calibration noise signals). For these systems, you should use a standard SPL meter (Studio Six Digital's app version is quite good) and follow the instructions in the Technical Sound Guide.
Cheers
-geoff
With BSys3 it is not possible to give a internal test-signal to the subwoofer. But for calibrating the other channels the polytrim app works great.
I also tried standard SPL meter apps. I think that they are a bit more complicated and not really made for configuring surround setups.
Ah! BeoSystem 3 is a different kettle of fish. . .
-g
geoffmartin:Ah! BeoSystem 3 is a different kettle of fish. . . Cheers -g
Geoff Martin: Although the "surround calibration" apps would probably work okay for the main channels, I would HIGHLY recommend that you not use them to align the subwoofer level if you have a BeoSystem 4, BeoVision 11 or BeoPlay V1 (and you're using the internally-generated calibration noise signals). For these systems, you should use a standard SPL meter (Studio Six Digital's app version is quite good) and follow the instructions in the Technical Sound Guide.
I can also recommend the Studio Six app. I've used it a lot in my last job when we needed to any kind of quick acoustical measurements in the field when we were calibrating and evaluating sound effects systems, noise levels in rooms, balance for PA systems, etc. Since I carried a phone anyway it was great to find such a capable app that meant no additional equipment to lumber around with out in the boonies. I also have used it for quick measurements in my home audio hobby work.
Jeff
I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus.
Geoff Martin: BeoMotion: When adjusting my surround setup I found out that there is a cool iPhone app that helped me a lot. Although the "surround calibration" apps would probably work okay for the main channels, I would HIGHLY recommend that you not use them to align the subwoofer level if you have a BeoSystem 4, BeoVision 11 or BeoPlay V1 (and you're using the internally-generated calibration noise signals). For these systems, you should use a standard SPL meter (Studio Six Digital's app version is quite good) and follow the instructions in the Technical Sound Guide. Cheers -geoff
Hi Geoff
I used a Tandy/Radio Shack SPL meter when I set up my V1-40, Lab 9's etc.
I've used the studio six app for keeping an eye on playback levels at times, due neighbours in an apartment block - whether it is as accurate as the stand alone dedicated SPL meter I don't know.
Thanks again for such fantastic articles; interesting, informative and a reference.
Hope you will have some internal pics of the Beolab 9's and 5's in the pipeline, along with their drivers ... :-)
Will also be interested in any articles as to why B&O use the materials and shapes they do in their loudspeakers, and how this influences the sound, over and above say, a ubiquitous MDF, square/cuboid ported reflex box.
Also some thoughts as to the pros and cons of different speaker loading methodologies, such as acoustic suspension, reflex port, passive radiator etc.
I also read on other sites, much comment as to how drivers have improved vastly over the last few years in terms of materials, shorting rings in the voice coil gap/magnet assembly etc, to lower EMF eddy currents and hence driver distortion etc. Supposedly state of the art.
How much of this is meaningful in the real, as against theoretical world, I don't know, but these are just some random thoughts from me re possible ideas for future postings from you - I would be very interested to read of your perspectives on such things, and what choices B&O makes as regards it's selection of drivers etc - are they OEM items for example, or custom designed/built?
Thanks again for such interesting and informative articles - I've been posting links (not cut and paste) where appropriate on various forums, especially where the prevailing view is that B&O is all about style over audio substance; - a viewpoint born of audiophool ignorance in my experience, - which I'm very happy to be able to refute with links to your excellent posts on B&O tech.
John...
Can anyone give me the link ? Having no joy with a borrowed laptop.
Hi John,
Thanks for the comments. I'm a fan of external gratification, so these are very much appreciated! ;-) The suggestions for future articles are also helpful!
The limitations of the Studio Six app are really down to the mic on the iPhone and its sensitivity, frequency response, and directivity. However, for quick-and-dirty measurements, it's great. Whenever I'm doing the sound design of a new loudspeaker, I have the app running on an iPad next to my computer on the desk at all times (albeit with an external mic...)
WRT links on other fora, the comments I sometimes see on those make for interesting reading... For example, I saw myself quoted on Pink Fish Media a couple of days ago where the poster made it look like Linkwitz and I disagreed on the topic of amplifier control of a driver with and without passive crossovers getting in the way. It made me realise that, no matter how clear I think I am, someone, somewhere will understand me to have said something other than that which I wrote... Oh well. :-) But thanks for the promotion, nonetheless!
valve1: Can anyone give me the link ? Having no joy with a borrowed laptop.
here you go
Thanks for link Geoff and reasons why I should get a BV11.
To be honest once my surround sound was set up, I never considered adjusting it at the expense of finding dialog hard to understand in some dvds.
As my real world tv room matches neither set up I guess it need a lot of tweaking.
valve1: As my real world tv room matches neither set up I guess it need a lot of tweaking.
Not necessarily - if it ain't broke... Then again, if you're not happy with the sound you're getting, I'd be more than happy to offer some suggestions (assuming that I can...) on how to clean things up.
Geoff Martin:Then again, if you're not happy with the sound you're getting, I'd be more than happy to offer some suggestions (assuming that I can...) on how to clean things up
Thanks for offer ! I have sold that house with the Avant and its 4 x bl4000s in the tv room.
Now I have to get another Bv for France. A pleasant dilemma.
As it happens the French house has the same floor plan the Dublin one has. A fireplace in the middle of a wall with two alcoves set back 250mm. The default position for both the tv and speakers is in both alcoves. This means the tv and a bl1 will be beside each other which will confuse the center speaker.
Not ideal but the Real World.
Geoff Martin: Hi John, Thanks for the comments. I'm a fan of external gratification, so these are very much appreciated! ;-) The suggestions for future articles are also helpful! The limitations of the Studio Six app are really down to the mic on the iPhone and its sensitivity, frequency response, and directivity. However, for quick-and-dirty measurements, it's great. Whenever I'm doing the sound design of a new loudspeaker, I have the app running on an iPad next to my computer on the desk at all times (albeit with an external mic...) WRT links on other fora, the comments I sometimes see on those make for interesting reading... For example, I saw myself quoted on Pink Fish Media a couple of days ago where the poster made it look like Linkwitz and I disagreed on the topic of amplifier control of a driver with and without passive crossovers getting in the way. It made me realise that, no matter how clear I think I am, someone, somewhere will understand me to have said something other than that which I wrote... Oh well. :-) But thanks for the promotion, nonetheless! Cheers -geoff
Many thanks for the info on the Studio six app.
If I have some more brainstorms re ideas for your articles, I'll be happy to post same, should they be of interest of course...
WRT forums and links, particularly the one on Pink Fish media you've mentioned, I confess I was the forum member there who posted the original link to your site, as in the context of the thread/debate about active speakers/AVI, and as a very proud B&O owner, I felt that your article had much to contribute.
I also posted a further link in the main audio section titled 'not just a pretty face' (given how audiophiles love to bag B&O as being all about looks with no audio substance) to draw further attention to your site, in case some did not read it on the Active/AVI speaker thread.
I also read the way your comments were misconstrued to create a POV where they seemingly contradicted Siegfried Linkwitz.
In all fairness I feel, It has to be said, that in terms of subjectivism in audio, where audiophiles cling to pseudo science, rune stones, magic amplifier dust and fairies at the end of the cable attenuation, that PFM can be one of the most vehemently argumentative and unpleasant forums out there from time to time IMHO & E.
Alls fair in love and forum arguments perhaps, but back when I was regular member there, and owning a full Naim system at the time, it really was a very lord of the flies group mentality that existed, sadly.
I do remember, my road to damascus audio moment, where I found a Sony TA-DA 9000ES Class D amp (similar in operation to a Tact Millennium/Lyngdorf) which I had bought as an add on to my Naim kit for AV purposes, to outdo my then Naim kit in 2 channel mode on musical criteria.
I dared to put my thoughts out on PFM, and inadvertantly started something of a firestorm, with agreement from some, but being greated with a swathe of hostility from the Naim camp, that went so far as to result in a threat of violence being made towards me for daring to express my views.
Thank goodness the B&O world doesn't usually include such extremely obsessive and neurotic Audiophile viewpoints, and to be out of that whole subjectivist audiophile scene is just another reason why I love B&O as an whole and total ownership experience, where my interest is primarily in the music and film, more so than the kit, notwithstanding that I really like to dig into the detail of how things 'work' where my interest is aroused.
So really, I don't think there's any way you could write things more clearly to be honest; there's always going to be people out there who will interpret whatever you say to score political points on forums unfortunately.
Such is life, and I would like to say a huge thank you, to both you, the owners and managers of this forum, and the contributing members who make it easily one of the nicest audio forums to be a member of on the internet, of the many that I have experienced over the years.
John:Alls fair in love and forum arguments perhaps
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:-)
4 beolab 5, beolab 9, beolab 10, beolab 5000, beolab 8000 mk2, beolab 6002, beolab 3500, beovision 7 55 mk2, 2 beovision 11 46 mk4, beotime, beosound ouverture, beosound essence, beoplay A8, beomaster 900 RG de luxe and the collection continues...