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Show HN: HiFiScan, a Python app to optimize your loudspeakers

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Re: Show HN: HiFiScan, a Python app to optimize your loudspeakers

#11

Post by gh02t »

tibbon wrote: post #5
qbonnard wrote: post #4

Newbie question: how do we know we can trust the microphone? It sounds like a chicken-and-egg problem to equalize speakers with an equalized microphone, but maybe microphones are simpler and can be assumed to be equalized ?

You’ll need a calibration curve for the microphone. Even of the same model, there is a lot of variance.

MiniDSP makes some calibration mics that run about 60 bucks. I used them as a cheap instrument for some lab work where I needed a calibrated mic a while back and was very impressed with their performance for the price. They ship with a little code that you can use to retrieve the calibration curve from the factory, and I know a lot of people use them for hifi calibration with REW.

Re: Show HN: HiFiScan, a Python app to optimize your loudspeakers

#12

Post by AndrewUnmuted »

qbonnard wrote: post #4

Newbie question: how do we know we can trust the microphone? It sounds like a chicken-and-egg problem to equalize speakers with an equalized microphone, but maybe microphones are simpler and can be assumed to be equalized ?

No post body was provided.

Re: Show HN: HiFiScan, a Python app to optimize your loudspeakers

#13

Post by willis936 »

tibbon wrote: post #5
qbonnard wrote: post #4

Newbie question: how do we know we can trust the microphone? It sounds like a chicken-and-egg problem to equalize speakers with an equalized microphone, but maybe microphones are simpler and can be assumed to be equalized ?

You’ll need a calibration curve for the microphone. Even of the same model, there is a lot of variance.

Anyone interested in this area should also know that above ~2 kHz it doesn't matter what you do for magnitude equalization because you'll be dominated by sub mm variations in position and direction. The only way to get any amount of repeatability above 2 kHz is with IEMs.

Re: Show HN: HiFiScan, a Python app to optimize your loudspeakers

#15

Post by anotheryou »

I'm using the commercial https://www.sonarworks.com/soundid-reference and it's amazing.

I'd say the worse your setup (especially your room) the more magic it does.

I did it without an individually calibrated mic though (but with a decent measuring one), wonder how much better it could be.

Re: Show HN: HiFiScan, a Python app to optimize your loudspeakers

#16

Post by erdewit »

willis936 wrote: post #13
tibbon wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You’ll need a calibration curve for the microphone. Even of the same model, there is a lot of variance.

Anyone interested in this area should also know that above ~2 kHz it doesn't matter what you do for magnitude equalization because you'll be dominated by sub mm variations in position and direction. The only way to get any amount of repeatability above 2 kHz is with IEMs.

This is dealt with by smoothing the spectrum in a way to preserves the power density. The constructive and destructive interference then cancel each other out.

Re: Show HN: HiFiScan, a Python app to optimize your loudspeakers

#17

Post by Gracana »

erdewit wrote: post #16
willis936 wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Anyone interested in this area should also know that above ~2 kHz it doesn't matter what you do for magnitude equalization because you'll be dominated by sub mm variations in position and direction. The only way to get any amount of repeatability above 2 kHz is with IEMs.

This is dealt with by smoothing the spectrum in a way to preserves the power density. The constructive and destructive interference then cancel each other out.

What does "smoothing the spectrum" mean? What operations are being performed?

Re: Show HN: HiFiScan, a Python app to optimize your loudspeakers

#18

Post by RedShift1 »

anotheryou wrote: post #15

I'm using the commercial https://www.sonarworks.com/soundid-reference and it's amazing. I'd say the worse your setup (especially your room) the more magic it does. I did it without an individually calibrated mic though (but with a decent measuring one), wonder how much better it could be.

Is it affordable for mortals or is this a business only offering?

Re: Show HN: HiFiScan, a Python app to optimize your loudspeakers

#19

Post by anotheryou »

RedShift1 wrote: post #18
anotheryou wrote: post #15

I'm using the commercial https://www.sonarworks.com/soundid-reference and it's amazing. I'd say the worse your setup (especially your room) the more magic it does. I did it without an individually calibrated mic though (but with a decent measuring one), wonder how much better it could be.

Is it affordable for mortals or is this a business only offering?

Certainly expensive. ~300 eur/usd with mic (and you need a proper audio interface to support the mic).

A bit sad, because it might do most for less expensive speakers and untreated rooms.

Re: Show HN: HiFiScan, a Python app to optimize your loudspeakers

#20

Post by TacticalCoder »

Isn't it basically what "DRC" does? (Digital Room Correction)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_room_correction

I don't remember the exact order but way, way, way before the $10 K USD digital audio cable snake oil, audiophiles are going to say that DRC is the second single biggest thing that can enhance the quality of your setup (the first one being which speakers you're using and how you place them). Then source quality/amp/dac. And only way further down the line, for those who believe in voodoo, $10 K digital audio cables.

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