Subwoofer Optimizer System

Archived from groups: rec.audio.high-end (More info?)

Saw this on Speaker City's web site.
http://www.speakercity.com/Sos/Sub [...] izer.shtml

According to them:
The Automated Controlled Environments, inc. Subwoofer Optimizer System (SOS)
is an automatically calibrating, subwoofer optimization component, that acts
to attenuate an audio system's major room mode resonance to provide
significant improvement in measured and subjective bass system performance.
After installation and calibration, your system will have a more linear
frequency response, bass evenness, tightness, extension, and improved sound
clarity.

Anybody ever try anything like this?

Comments, criticisms?

Archived from groups: rec.audio.high-end (More info?)

Kalman Rubinson kr4@nyu.edu wrote:

>I did a mini-review on this in Stereophile and Tom Norton did a more
>extended one some time back in Guide to Home Theater (now Ultimate
>A/V). The key issue is that it is a single band EQ and will do great
>if(!) all you need is a single band of correction. Worked for me.
>
>Kal
>
>On 25 Nov 2004 15:59:33 GMT, "Michael McKelvy" <deskst49@peoplepc.com>
>wrote:
>
>>Saw this on Speaker City's web site.
>>http://www.speakercity.com/Sos/SubwooferOptimizer.shtml
>>
>>According to them:
>>The Automated Controlled Environments, inc. Subwoofer Optimizer System (SOS)
>
>>is an automatically calibrating, subwoofer optimization component, that acts
>
>>to attenuate an audio system's major room mode resonance to provide
>>significant improvement in measured and subjective bass system performance.
>>After installation and calibration, your system will have a more linear
>>frequency response, bass evenness, tightness, extension, and improved sound
>>clarity.
>>
>>Anybody ever try anything like this?
>>
>>Comments, criticisms?

Part of the thinking behnd Harman's RABOS system (a single band parametric EQ
with cut-only) was the idea that the single most often encountered low
frequency room mode problem, that can be fixed with EQ, is a single peak due to
stacked room modes.

In general this is a good idea but IMO the single most commonly encountered low
frequency modal problem is a deep notch in the 30-50 Hz range caused by failure
to excite one or more of the primary modes due to sub-optimal woofer placement.