Better Bass Through Science
Several noteworthy features of the software are its ability to correct multiple peaks and/or troughs in the subwoofer/room bass response curve, to identify and address potential standing wave problems, to calculate a solution that helps optimize bass response across multiple listening locations, and that, purists please take note, affects only the subwoofer—not the other speakers in your system.
Does it really work? You bet it does! I did some listening tests with the Paradigm Sub 12 before using the PBK-1 kit and then afterwards, and I can vouch for the fact that the PBK-1-equalized sub sounded much tighter, more neutrally voiced, and much better defined. In short, Paradigm’s PBK-1 package is an all gain/(almost) no pain system that gives you audibly better bass through science.
Paradigm Mic and Stand
Paradigm PBK-1 User guide and Software
Paradigm PBK-1 mic, close up
Paradigm PBK-1 mic stand pedestal
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Comments
Aren't there products like this that are independent of the specific sub? Or is there something about this system that must have knowledge of the specific subwoofer involved?
Do the subs/software allow the user to store two curves? One optimized for multiple seats and one optimized for listening position one? It seems that the ideal multiple seat solution would necessarily be a compromise for any single location compared to an EQ tailored to that specific position. It would therefore be nice to quickly witch to the curve optimized to a single seat if you were listening alone.
Discman,
You pose two excellent questions.
To the best of my knowledge, the Velodyne SMS-1 system is probably the closest thing to a universal subwoofer EQ kit that's presently available. It basically makes the Velodyne's Digital Drive EQ system/circuitry available in an outboard box that can be used with other (i.e., non-Velodyne) subs. See this link for details:
http://www.velodyne.com/products/product.aspx?ID=15&sid=767c198c
To answer your second question, yes, the PBK-1 kit does interact with Paradigm's various PBK-1-compatible subs in very specific ways. Bear in mind that the PBK-1 system has device drivers that first allow the PC to send test signals to the woofer (via the woofer's USB port) and later on allow the PC to download newly-created custom EQ firmware settings to the woofer (again via the woofer's USB port). My point is that the "business end" of the EQ circuitry used by the PBK-1 system actually resides within the subwoofer--not on the PC.
Hypothetically, Paradigm could license the EQ circuitry and PBK-1 interface to other woofer makers, but absent that happening the PBK-1 kit is just for use with Paradigm's PBK-1-compatible woofers.
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
Anonymous,
The PBK-1 software can definitely store multiple curves, though I believe the woofer can only load and run one curve at a time. (As near as I can tell, it appears that each time you load up a new curve, it overwrites whatever parameters were previously stored).
Regarding single-point vs. multi-point measurements, I believe the intent of the PBK-1 procedure is to enable the software to build a more complete model of the woofer/room/listening position interface.
I would want to confer with Paradigm support to be sure of my ground on this question, but I think that you could realize your goal (optimal single listening location performance) by taking the first measurement at the target position, and then taking further measurements clustered in a tight circle (or perhaps semi-circle) about 2 feet out from initial the target position. This is a question worth following up with Paradigm; stay tuned.
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
I am quite far in adressing subwoofer issues in my listening room by using not a single, but currently two subwoofers in specific locations diagonally across the romm. Plans for the future are using 3 or 4 subwoofers. That alone helps cure the problem of standing waves and resonances to a very good degree and is sonically far better than any "EQ" solution.
What if Paradigm would find a way to combine these methods: use multiple subwoofers, measure the results and fine tune with their software? I could imagine, that this would be the sonically most superior system available
Any thoughts on that?
dvdr,
SVSound is about to start selling a standalone bass EQ box that interacts with Audyssey and can handle two subs.
www.svsound.com/products-parts-subeq.cfm
It is expensive, but early reports are that it is also extremely effective. Another plus is it will work with any subwoofer, in contrast to the Paradigm approach.
Its great to see products like this filtering into the mainstream. Standing waves are a common problem in all but specificly designed listening rooms. If your source material is music .....a product that helps tame it is a must. Tuning a room properly is the single greatest improvement you will make in the quality of your playback system...that is a fact.
Wow..
stunning photos of the mic and stand!
sure would have been useful to see the curves .....
Thanks for the thorough overview Chris, great pics too!
EQ and in-wall solutions seem to be the way subwoofers are going so it's nice to see Paradigm addressing both causes at once.
To select the subwoofer should be according to their preferences. If the emphasis on quality, choice sealed subwoofer. It features sound easy to control, better sound quality, but low. If you like to listen to "blow up" sound, choose the box with holes down there, which is characterized by large volume, high efficiency, but low speaker volume size requirements more stringent, inverted-phase tube diameter and length also has certain requirements.MTS Converter,MTS Converter Mac
You guys should check out the JBL BassQ. It can handle up to 4 subwoofers and 4 seating postitions. It does exactly what you want it to do and smooth out the room for several listeners. the only problem is that since it is standalone it adds some delay into the signal going to the subwoofer that you need to compensate for in your main speakers.
http://jbl.com/home/products/product_detail.aspx?prod=BASSQ&Language=ENG&Country=US&Region=USA&cat=EQU&ser=PER
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Yeah, we've to take environment into consideration as well, we can't stereotype any one configuration which is applicable to all situations. Same goes with Monitor settings too, depends on room light.Organized Medical Assistance
While this works well in theory, I don't see how it can work well in practise.
One of the biggest contributors to poor sound once you're at this level of quality hi-fi is the interaction between the sub-woofer and the rest of the system. Even a simple thing like latency will cause smearing of the sound if the weight of the sub-woofer cone delays it's output by a few milliseconds compared to the main speakers (being of lighter material) but both putting out a signal at the same frequency. One could try and judge this by ear and add a "distance" delay in the AV receiver's Speakers Distance settings, but it's all very hit and miss.
Only a fully-integrated Audyssey (or an Audyssey-like) solution can manage such multi-speaker conflicts properly.
skris88
Sydney, Australia