Subwoofer Placement Combined with Signal Processing – Part I

Signal processing with optimization algorithms are useful if passive sound improvements fail to improve the acoustic of a room especially in the low frequencies to deliver the desired sound to the listener or especially to a broader listening area.

The optimization is achieved by computerized adjustments of the sound level, delay and frequency response of each subwoofer to deliver similar and good sound across the seating area.

An optimization program adjusts several parameters of the signal processing based on measurements made at each listening location in an iterative process to minimize the seat-to-seat variations. The measurements can be made with any basic omnidirectional pressure microphone. The microphone can be plugged into an analogue input of a sound processor.

This sound processor is usually equipped with everything needed to apply the signal processing for the modification of the recorded frequency response.

Signal Processing!

A test signal is played through each loudspeaker and the loudspeaker-listener transfer path will be measured for each listening location whereby measurements are grouped based on their similarity.

Loudspeakers, room and signal processing create a linear and time invariant system which applies to the principle of superposition and thus allows the optimization to modify the loudspeaker-listener transfer functions of the latest measurement during an iterative process.

This technology is capable to optimize sound reproduction in any rooms regardless the requirements to which passive as well as some active optimization solutions are limited.

In this post, we explained first part of Subwoofer Placement Combined with Signal Processing; Other types of these methods that need to be mentioned to improve the sound will be published in future posts. These will pave the way for creating a home theater of the highest quality.

Although, we explored two types of sound absorbers that are effective in controlling sound reflections; Other types of these absorbers and the things that need to be mentioned to improve the sound will be published in future posts. These will pave the way for creating a home theater of the highest quality.

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