I didn't want to stomp on other people's threads, so I am starting my own. I don't have a SPL Meter, but my Pioneer Elite VSX-54TX has a RS232 port on the back that allows me to connect a computer, run their "professional" EQ MCACC stuff and output the data to my computer.

Anyway, I ran it tonight, and came up with some pretty graphs.

The room is very (VERY) unusually shaped (I'll post a diagram later) with no treatments outside of carpet and the couch.

First up, each channel's frequency response in my room.

FRONT LEFT


FRONT CENTER


FRONT RIGHT


SURROUND LEFT


SURROUND RIGHT

Next up is the frequency response graphs showing all of the channels at a particular frequency.

FREQ 63Hz


FREQ 125Hz


FREQ 250Hz


FREQ 1kHz


FREQ 4kHz


FREQ 11.3kHz

Thanks for posting Nick. The graphs have different axes than I'm used to looking at, so please bear with my questions.

It's loudness against time, and the different colored lines represent the frequencies played? (i.e. 63 Hz though 11.3 kHz?)

Also, does the RS232 connect to a microphone to measure the output from the speakers, or is it just measuring the output of the different channels on the receiver before they are driven through the speakers?

Jason

No subwoofer test. I don't know if the Pioneer Elite can check the sub level using this tool. I'll have to play around more with that to see what I can get, if anything, of the subwoofer levels.

As for the room layout, here it is (I told you it was irregularly shaped)...

The blue "thing" is what I hope will be the custom furnature that I have been waiting YEARS to get done. The design has changed a little on that, but only in that the sub may get placed in the other corner between the left QS8 and the projector. Neither is ideal I am sure, but the space is limited, and I am thinking about putting a 2nd sub (not a huge cylinder style) in the room to help.

Wow, that is some room! You weren't kidding.

Yea, I'm learning too since it seems to be a little different.

As for the RS232 and microphone question, it uses a microphone that came with the receiver that I placed at ear level in the primary seating position. The receiver them played a variety of white noise and pulses (for echo???) for all of the channels for a little while. Again, I'm looking to see if this is useful at all, or if I just need to spend the countless hours graphing with a SPL meter. It was nice to set this up, press START, walk away for 15 minutes, and then come back and see it on my computer already graphed...

Thanks Nick. I see now the second set of graphs showing the dB response of a specific frequency as well.

That is unquestionably a very cool function of the receiver, and the "set it and forget it" factor doesn't hurt either.

The only reason I think you might want to get an SPL meter is to test the sub's response (if you find out the Pio can't do it), especially if you're thinking about getting a second subwoofer. It seems like it should do it though given all the rest of the information it spits out!

Jason

I went into the Advanced MCACC program on my computer again, and it doesn't seem like I can change the axis from dB and Time to show dB and Freq. I will look again for anything to check the sub. I also just remembered that the receiver will do some on-screen graphing that I think is different than what it outputs to the computer. Right now, my wife is telling me to stop for the night so that we can watch a TV show that she has been wanting to see, so I may not get another chance until tomorrow night.

Thats cool Nick. Is EQ MCACC their version of Audysey EQ? If so, it must have some way of measuring frequency against spl to do auto equalization. I hope you find a way to display it on you computer.

If you don't, consider buying an spl meter and using rew. Its a small investment to show you whats happening in your room. Well, until you see how bad the in room response is and want to start putting in all sorts of treatments.

Man, E.Q. McAcc is another good character name.

Once I move my system into the basement, I'm going to do what I can with treatments, at least bass traps and treating first reflection points. I don't know exactly how crazy I'll get, but it would be nice if at least tried to take the hobby as far as several of you have. I imagine it's a rewarding feeling.

One that could cough up a hairball at the drop of a hat.

Pretty much. MCACC is Pioneer's version, like YPAO is Yamaha's version, and Audyssey is their version that can be used on a variety of vendors' gear.

Here is a small "presentation" on what the MCACC does:
MCACC Demo

It takes frequency, SPL, room reverb, and speaker distance (maybe more) into account for tuning the system.

I never ran the Advanced MCACC until yesterday. I always just messed with the basic MCACC stuff, but I did notice a difference in the sound. Now if I can get something to manage the sub, or at least give me some tips (maybe that will take the SPL meter) I think things will sound a ton better in my odd-shaped room.

I wish I could toss in some chunk bass traps, but there just isn't room. My screen takes up almost the entire one wall, and the couch is in a couple of the corners (although, I would think that would help a little). The ceiling is broken up with a 4'x8' fiber optic starfield "window" the panel hangs down about 1" from the ceiling and has a window frame around it), there is a 12" tall beam running left to right, and the ceiling closest to the screen is dropped down to cover some duct work, which makes for a lot of irregular shape to the ceiling, but I am not sure that is good at all.

I am thinking that some good first reflection panels on the right side would be in order for that long wall, but the other side has my equipment rack, and the goofy angled area. I wonder if I should just put a panel on the back wall, the left "angled" wall, and then a couple on the right wall.