Calibration and Tweaking , is it in you?

mantis
mantis Posts: 17,190
edited May 2011 in The Clubhouse
Got a question for all you tweakers,
Are you a calibration nut? I find myself repositioning and calibrating my system weekly or when I'm bored. I also find myself behind the rack looking for a reason to move around or replace some wires.

Right now I'm eagerly awaiting my crossovers for all my speakers which is a new Tweak for me. I always felt if I wanted to Tweak my speakers , I got new ones. I also now find myself wanting to add power cords , better speaker wire and sub wires. I decided not to upgrade my speakers right now instead trying out these crossover Tweaks. I still love my Pioneer Elite SC-07 and haven't seen a reason to replace it. New Elite models this summer which is going to kill me as the mighty SC-09 is finally getting replaced. One can only dream of whats coming. I'm assuming a SC-49 model with some killer upgrades. This is going to be a huge problem for me.:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,611
    edited May 2011
    I will admit my Super Towers have been in the same spot for.... a long time now. I have no desire to move them either. They sound freakin incredible in a position I thought would have sucked.

    I used the Cardas method to place them and love it..

    I will say I am constantly breaking down my system every 3-6 months and cleaning it front to back and reorganizing the cables as things move in and out....

    But honestly - as you mentioned... crossovers and modifying my speakers have taken place of moving them
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,004
    edited May 2011
    Upgrading the crossovers -vs- changing out the SC's......? There is no comparison. The Xover upgrades offer SO much more. Good luck and happy listening. Your ears are about to be so, so happy. :wink:

    PC's should be the last on the list, in my experience as they yield minimal [the last 3%] results....if any unless you are using a sub. IC's can yield as much as 20% in my experience and can sound as if you had gotten a new amplifier. This, all depends on the IC used and can vary as little as the PC's.

    The room and its acoustics play a larger role than one might think, so please do not disregard that aspect. Have fun, no matter what you do.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,221
    edited May 2011
    I have been wanting to tear down my system just to do some cleaning and cable managment as well, but I have the Wyred 4 Sound DAC 2 coming in this week so I will probably wait a couple more weeks.. As far as my HT set-up I need to do some tweeking and calibration it's been to long and with the new BDP I still need to spend some time with, Dan I think you just gave me a chore to do!!!
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited May 2011
    I did the calibration and tweaking like crazy for the initial setup. After I got it done to my liking, I don't touch anything again.

    It's set it and forget it kind of things for me.
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,190
    edited May 2011
    TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »
    I have been wanting to tear down my system just to do some cleaning and cable managment as well, but I have the Wyred 4 Sound DAC 2 coming in this week so I will probably wait a couple more weeks.. As far as my HT set-up I need to do some tweeking and calibration it's been to long and with the new BDP I still need to spend some time with, Dan I think you just gave me a chore to do!!!

    Nice!!
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,190
    edited May 2011
    treitz3 wrote: »
    Upgrading the crossovers -vs- changing out the SC's......? There is no comparison. The Xover upgrades offer SO much more. Good luck and happy listening. Your ears are about to be so, so happy. :wink:

    PC's should be the last on the list, in my experience as they yield minimal [the last 3%] results....if any unless you are using a sub. IC's can yield as much as 20% in my experience and can sound as if you had gotten a new amplifier. This, all depends on the IC used and can vary as little as the PC's.

    The room and its acoustics play a larger role than one might think, so please do not disregard that aspect. Have fun, no matter what you do.

    I'm hoping so , I'm already happy with my sound but if I can improve on it , why not right?
    Changing out Power cords , Interconnects and such is fun and usually yields some improvements if what you remove is lacking. Sometimes just change is good. I have a pretty nice collection which over the years I have been thinning out.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • ViperZ
    ViperZ Posts: 2,046
    edited May 2011
    I only upgrade my HT if in my opinion it will make a big difference. I'm almost ready to get the Oppo BDP-93, as soon as I'll sell my Toshiba HD-XA2 and the entire 55-movie HD-DVD collection. Then PS3 will go... The next step will be to upgrade to the stand-alone processor (from Onkyo TX-SR805 to most likely Integra 40.2).
    I guess I finally figured out that most of the money should go into the real things like a house mortgage rather than spending it on my audio and motorcycle hobbies...
    Panasonic PT-AE4000U projector for movies
    Carada 106" Precision Series (Classic Cinema White)
    Denon AVR-X3600H pre/pro
    Outlaw 770 7-channel amplifier
    B&W CDM1-SE fronts
    B&W CDM-CNT center
    B&W CDM1 rears on MoPADs
    JBL SP8CII in-ceiling height speakers
    Samsung DTB-H260F OTA HDTV tuner
    DUAL NHT SubTwo subwoofers
    Oppo BDP-93 Blu-Ray player
    Belkin PF60 Power Center
    Harmony 1100 RF remote with RF extender
    Sony XBR-X950G 55" 4K HDR Smart TV + PS3 in the living room
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  • punk-roc
    punk-roc Posts: 1,150
    edited May 2011
    TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »
    but I have the Wyred 4 Sound DAC 2 coming in this week so I will probably wait a couple more weeks..

    Nice! Let us know how you like it.. and welcome to the W4S Dac club =) I love mine...

    Jason
    2-Channel - So far...
    Pre: Dodd ELP
    DAC: W4S-Dac2
    Source(s): Computer and Denon 2910
    Amp: Parasound HCA-1200II
    Speakers: LSi9s - Vr3 Fortress Mod
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,221
    edited May 2011
    punk-roc wrote: »
    Nice! Let us know how you like it.. and welcome to the W4S Dac club =) I love mine...

    Jason

    I have a Dodd ELP as well I use now and then..
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited May 2011
    I usually tweak every few months or so. I'll calibrate, move the speakers out into the theater, measure and repeat until done. I will break out the SPL meter and check things on a regular though.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited May 2011
    Just broke out the Bosch laser distant measurer the other day. Speaker placement is so critical it's unbelievable. This thing is so acurate that the movement of a mere 1/16" can make all the difference in the world. Toe in angle is also precise. Then I moved my subs around & recalibrated with the DSPeaker Anti-Mode & the difference was again unbelievable. Now I'm perfectely set for both HT & 2 channel. It does pay off being a tweak freak!!! :wink:
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited May 2011
    My system has never been calibrated, and has been in the same spot for the last 3 years. I've swapped a few components out, but the speakers have such a groove worn in the carpet, if I move them, it's easy to get them right back in the same spot.

    Ultimately, I haven't changed much in my system in the last 3 years. And yet... I'm happy with it!
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited May 2011
    The 2 channel has no calibration,no tone controls, and I wired
    around the balance knob. Once in a while a move a speaker a litlle bit.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited May 2011
    Nope. Even if I had the ability, I wouldn't have the patience.:redface:
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