Enhanced Room Correction is Here!

[harkpabst]

So, I did the R & L RC to very good results and also the beta three tests in a row.

Then tonight, I noted earlier in this thread about the "Equalize Freq." in Room Correction.

First went down from 40 to 28Hz. Wow, that was really nice. Great improvement in the lower end.
Then dropped it all the way down to 20Hz.

Wow, absolutely superb and great improvement beyond any expectation. My speakers were rated down to 40K but there was recapping done and that was a big improvement too. Thanks so much WiiM, unreal.

This might be the tricky part. As @Smartplug already said you probably see a massive boost in the lowest bass when you look at your PEQ filters. Some advocate against any form of boost in the correction, because "dips cannot be corrected for". However, down below 40 Hz we're probably not talking about dips due to room modes or speaker boundary interference response (unless you're living in a very large room). Extending the lower limit of room correction that much to lower frequencies will simply push your speakers harder to extend their frequency response.

This alone has it's pitfalls. Boost in EQ might lead to clipping in the digital domain unless the volume limit is reduced (I still need to investigate further in this issue). Your power amp section will have to work much harder (boosting the SPL by 10 dB requires 10 times the amplifier power at the boosted frequency!). Finally the excursion of your speaker cones will increase an thermal stress on voice coils and crossover components will increase. In short, you can gain more bass extension but always at the price of reduced maximum loudness.

Finally, it is also not too unlikely that your microphone (which one?) doesn't even measure frequencies below 40 Hz correctly. If the mic just registers a lower SPL than actually present, the WiiM room correction will wrongly assume it needs to apply boost. The result is simply an overemphasised bass.

As long as you are happy with the result (and you are aware of the fact that you're getting closer to the power limits of your amp and speakers) everything is fine. Just make sure to ask yourself it what you here now is really more natural or just more pleasing (many of us are simply more happy with more bass ). Even if your answer is the latter it's still fine if you like it better that way.

 

[Mr Ee]

my final stereo system

Yeah, I tell myself that too

 

[Lvnmuskoka]

Yeah, I tell myself that too

It is, seriously!
I did a lot of researching, had quite a few speakers over the years, and listened to many of the best systems at dealers and audio shows.
I put this system together over the last year. The Ascend ELX ribbon towers are extremely clear, detailed, and accurate. They came to $9,200 CDN but measure extremely well, and are the 3rd best speakers in preference ratings under $35,000 US; only behind Kef Blade 1's and 2's.
The integrated amp is overkill, but the build and sound quality is very high, and at 48 years old, I have no doubt that the Michi X3 S2 will last for at least 20 years. The built in ES9028PRO dac is also excellent.
And I use a Wiim pro plus as a streamer and for PEQ.
I also built my final headphone system, also after much researching and listening.
It's another Wiim pro plus, into a Bryston bha-1 headphone amp, with a balanced cable out to either HD600's for late movies, or ZMF Auteur Classic's for music.
The Auteur's are like super HD600's, that are just a bit better in every way, but the weight makes them more suitable for shorter music listening sessions. I use a little EQ for the headphones as well. I use a second Pro Plus for the headphone system, in case I ever want to use it in a different room.

 

[Horsey]

This might be the tricky part. As @Smartplug already said you probably see a massive boost in the lowest bass when you look at your PEQ filters. Some advocate against any form of boost in the correction, because "dips cannot be corrected for". However, down below 40 Hz we're probably not talking about dips due to room modes or speaker boundary interference response (unless you're living in a very large room). Extending the lower limit of room correction that much to lower frequencies will simply push your speakers harder to extend their frequency response.

This alone has it's pitfalls. Boost in EQ might lead to clipping in the digital domain unless the volume limit is reduced (I still need to investigate further in this issue). Your power amp section will have to work much harder (boosting the SPL by 10 dB requires 10 times the amplifier power at the boosted frequency!). Finally the excursion of your speaker cones will increase an thermal stress on voice coils and crossover components will increase. In short, you can gain more bass extension but always at the price of reduced maximum loudness.

Finally, it is also not too unlikely that your microphone (which one?) doesn't even measure frequencies below 40 Hz correctly. If the mic just registers a lower SPL than actually present, the WiiM room correction will wrongly assume it needs to apply boost. The result is simply an overemphasised bass.

As long as you are happy with the result (and you are aware of the fact that you're getting closer to the power limits of your amp and speakers) everything is fine. Just make sure to ask yourself it what you here now is really more natural or just more pleasing (many of us are simply more happy with more bass ). Even if your answer is the latter it's still fine if you like it better that way.

After the bump, I ran the entire three series again today. Last night, I was listening to "Time" by Pink Floyd and it was like nothing I had ever heard before. I have special monoblock tube amps and they are not all that powerful but the output was smooth and better than ever. It just pumped into the recapped McIntosh LS340 speakers like I've never heard previous. I was quite awestruck to be honest.

I used an external Shure microphone attached to an iPad and that does a very good job. It's not only the bottom end but a fullness and richness from top to bottom that caught my attention. Loudness is not an issue. I have a meter as I listen and try to keep it under 90db but with this system, there'a more than a fair amount of spiking around in the numbers.

Can't speak to the Shure mic's accruacy only that it's a quality product and the results are superb. So, I'm happy to hear my system at its ultimate best (to date).

 

[Joseespona]

This might be the tricky part. As @Smartplug already said you probably see a massive boost in the lowest bass when you look at your PEQ filters. Some advocate against any form of boost in the correction, because "dips cannot be corrected for". However, down below 40 Hz we're probably not talking about dips due to room modes or speaker boundary interference response (unless you're living in a very large room). Extending the lower limit of room correction that much to lower frequencies will simply push your speakers harder to extend their frequency response.

This alone has it's pitfalls. Boost in EQ might lead to clipping in the digital domain unless the volume limit is reduced (I still need to investigate further in this issue). Your power amp section will have to work much harder (boosting the SPL by 10 dB requires 10 times the amplifier power at the boosted frequency!). Finally the excursion of your speaker cones will increase an thermal stress on voice coils and crossover components will increase. In short, you can gain more bass extension but always at the price of reduced maximum loudness.

Finally, it is also not too unlikely that your microphone (which one?) doesn't even measure frequencies below 40 Hz correctly. If the mic just registers a lower SPL than actually present, the WiiM room correction will wrongly assume it needs to apply boost. The result is simply an overemphasised bass.

As long as you are happy with the result (and you are aware of the fact that you're getting closer to the power limits of your amp and speakers) everything is fine. Just make sure to ask yourself it what you here now is really more natural or just more pleasing (many of us are simply more happy with more bass ). Even if your answer is the latter it's still fine if you like it better that way.

Has anybody been able to determine at what point digital clipping kicks in?

 

[Burnside]

Has anybody been able to determine at what point digital clipping kicks in?

Surely that depends on your PEQ settings and the music you’re playing and probably other factors that those more knowledgeable will expand upon.

But in order to minimise digital clipping you should sett a volume limit as advised in this and surrounding comments
Post in thread 'PEQ talk'
https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/peq-talk.1500/post-27061

 

[Smartplug]

So, I did the R & L RC to very good results and also the beta three tests in a row.

Then tonight, I noted earlier in this thread about the "Equalize Freq." in Room Correction.

First went down from 40 to 28Hz. Wow, that was really nice. Great improvement in the lower end.
Then dropped it all the way down to 20Hz.

Wow, absolutely superb and great improvement beyond any expectation. My speakers were rated down to 40K but there was recapping done and that was a big improvement too. Thanks so much WiiM, unreal.

There’s no point using full 20 to 20khz if your speakers are not rated to go down that low. When you run rc and your lowest your speaker can go let say 50 you will see massive boost below that range which you don’t want to do. It will lead clipping especially in bass region and potential woofer damage. If you seek to go that low what I would suggest add a sub that rated to go that low. Typical 7 inch woofer even multiple array would not necessary go to 20. What it does it increase dynamic range and lower distortion. It also fill larger room over single woofer.

 

[Joseespona]

Surely that depends on your PEQ settings and the music you’re playing and probably other factors that those more knowledgeable will expand upon.

But in order to minimise digital clipping you should sett a volume limit as advised in this and surrounding comments
Post in thread 'PEQ talk'
https://forum.wiimhome.com/threads/peq-talk.1500/post-27061

Yes I have always set my dac to -3 db to allow for headroom. Anyhow the digital volume management of the wiim ultra surpasses my dac so I have the max volume at 95 for the same amount of attenuation. I am aware that depending on the music the volume will be boosted or will have more headroom (volume wars and mastering for streaming apps) but I was wondering if one of you guys were able to have a reference number, 4db, 6db, 10db or whatsoever

 

[Horsey]

There’s no point using full 20 to 20khz if your speakers are not rated to go down that low. When you run rc and your lowest your speaker can go let say 50 you will see massive boost below that range which you don’t want to do. It will lead clipping especially in bass region and potential woofer damage. If you seek to go that low what I would suggest add a sub that rated to go that low. Typical 7 inch woofer even multiple array would not necessary go to 20. What it does it increase dynamic range and lower distortion. It also fill larger room over single woofer.

At one time, I had NHT Xd subwoofers running. They generated a lot of bass in the room. More than I'd ever need.
Contemplated the speaker rating but after removing and replacing the crossovers and replacing all the electrolytics among others, I've convinced myself they can run at 20.

From my listening, I'm not seeing any issues nor strain. Maybe I'll consider going back up to 28.

Thank you for your thoughtful analysis here.