Room acoustics response software

[Eliav]

Hi all
This topic had been discussed here a couple of years ago ( I was then a more active commentator ). I am moving now to a new house with a designated audio room, and would like to use the following equipment to measure the room response so that the appropriate acoustic treatment can be applied;
Test CD
Radio Shack SPL meter
Which software should I download for analyzing the room response /
Tips ?
Thanks
Eliav

[Horacio]

Eliav,

I've been doing a fair amount of reading around this, but still don't feel I'm at a point where I could provide advice. Try posting at Audio Asylum / Room Acoustics forum. Very knowledgeable people there.

I also use a Radio Shack SPL meter and a test CD (Stereophile CD2, in my case). Over at Audio Asylum some mentioned the test CD like mine aren't very good for measuring bass because there are way too many frequencies between one tone and the next (so you don't really see peaks and nulls that they say usually are there).

Another note on the RS SPL meter: I think is not very good. Same tone played at the same level on different occasions gets different reads...oh well...I guess that's why they call them cheap! ;-)

As for software, ETF gets good comments.

My 2 cents.

Good luck,
Horacio

[Kal Rubinson]

Hi all
This topic had been discussed here a couple of years ago ( I was then a more active commentator ). I am moving now to a new house with a designated audio room, and would like to use the following equipment to measure the room response so that the appropriate acoustic treatment can be applied;
Test CD
Radio Shack SPL meter
Which software should I download for analyzing the room response /
Tips ?
Thanks
Eliav

Consider REW with a Behringer mic and an M-Audio mic preamp. You can spend more but, for an amateur, you can't get a more effective setup. Lots of info here: http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/rew-forum/

SPL meter and a test CD will not be enough.

Kal

[mjb]

If you have an iPhone, there are a couple of really good applications available, either from http://www.studiosixdigital.com/ or http://www.faberacoustical.com/

[Eliav]

Kal & Friends
Thanks for the advice. Kal, I realize a CD and an SPL meter wont be enough. Back in the days I lived in Arkansas, the Home theater forum moderator (Danish Yazdani) used to be my neighbor, we used a room equalization software with the test CD and the SPL meter to analyze my room response. I accordingly treated my room with traps which resulted in an unbelievable improvement with the way my system sounded.
I appreciate the links you sent. I will take it from there.Definitely will let you know how it went, and hopefully send some pics.
Happy 4th of July to you all
Eliav

[dyazdani]

Kal & Friends
Thanks for the advice. Kal, I realize a CD and an SPL meter wont be enough. Back in the days I lived in Arkansas, the Home theater forum moderator (Danish Yazdani) used to be my neighbor, we used a room equalization software with the test CD and the SPL meter to analyze my room response. I accordingly treated my room with traps which resulted in an unbelievable improvement with the way my system sounded.

Eliav, I just ran across this thread... I used REW as Kal mentioned above, good luck!