Ludspeakers: How do you judge "neutrality"?
 

"Ian Molton" wrote in message

On Wed, 22 Oct 2003 15:58:12 GMT
(Stewart Pinkerton) wrote:

They use measuring microphones, which are generally flat to better
than 1dB over the audio range, and are also supplied with an
individual calibration curve, so that even that small response error
can be calculated out.

where would I get one, and how much would it cost?


The most common models in general use are shown on these web pages:

http://www.behringer.com/02_products...M8000&lang=eng

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/eawsia/microphones.html

http://www.core-sound.com/dpa4006.html

Ludspeakers: How do you judge "neutrality"?
 

In message , Ian Molton
writes
On Wed, 22 Oct 2003 15:58:12 GMT
(Stewart Pinkerton) wrote:

They use measuring microphones, which are generally flat to better
than 1dB over the audio range, and are also supplied with an
individual calibration curve, so that even that small response error
can be calculated out.

where would I get one, and how much would it cost?


Well a B&K 4133 which is pretty much the reference standard will set you
back the best part of 800 pounds with its battery powered PSU, but it is
ruler flat to about 14kHz, then has a slight rise if it's pointing
straight at the source. I used to have access to one of these in my old
job.

Now I've had to buy my own mic, I use a MUCH cheaper Behringer ECM8000.
Only about 40 pounds, and needs a 15 to 48V phantom feed. The response
is good, but being an electret it is rather noisy. Easily good enough
for LS measurements though.
--
Chris Morriss

Ludspeakers: How do you judge "neutrality"?
 

In message , Ian Molton
writes
On Wed, 22 Oct 2003 15:58:12 GMT
(Stewart Pinkerton) wrote:

They use measuring microphones, which are generally flat to better
than 1dB over the audio range, and are also supplied with an
individual calibration curve, so that even that small response error
can be calculated out.

where would I get one, and how much would it cost?


Well a B&K 4133 which is pretty much the reference standard will set you
back the best part of 800 pounds with its battery powered PSU, but it is
ruler flat to about 14kHz, then has a slight rise if it's pointing
straight at the source. I used to have access to one of these in my old
job.

Now I've had to buy my own mic, I use a MUCH cheaper Behringer ECM8000.
Only about 40 pounds, and needs a 15 to 48V phantom feed. The response
is good, but being an electret it is rather noisy. Easily good enough
for LS measurements though.
--
Chris Morriss

Ludspeakers: How do you judge "neutrality"?
 

On Wed, 22 Oct 2003 19:09:28 +0100
Chris Morriss wrote:


Now I've had to buy my own mic, I use a MUCH cheaper Behringer
ECM8000.

The price is right...

The response is good, but being an electret it is rather noisy.
Easily good enough for LS measurements though.

Ok, so given that, the next question is:

How do I fudge a 'phantom powered' XLR mic into the mic in on my PC ?


--
Spyros lair: http://www.mnementh.co.uk/ |||| Maintainer: arm26 linux

Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are tasty and good with
ketchup.

Ludspeakers: How do you judge "neutrality"?
 

On Wed, 22 Oct 2003 19:09:28 +0100
Chris Morriss wrote:


Now I've had to buy my own mic, I use a MUCH cheaper Behringer
ECM8000.

The price is right...

The response is good, but being an electret it is rather noisy.
Easily good enough for LS measurements though.

Ok, so given that, the next question is:

How do I fudge a 'phantom powered' XLR mic into the mic in on my PC ?


--
Spyros lair: http://www.mnementh.co.uk/ |||| Maintainer: arm26 linux

Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are tasty and good with
ketchup.

Ludspeakers: How do you judge "neutrality"?
 

"Arny Krueger" wrote in message
...
"Dave Plowman" wrote in message

In article ,
Arny Krueger wrote:

SNIP


Much of the current art of audio production is dedicated to getting a
preferred sound that may be nothing like the live performance.



Which is why, IMHO, it is unreasonable to use live music as a reference for
judging how close to accurate a systems reproduction is. With any given CD
(assuming you weren't present at the recording) the listener does not know
how the information on the disc actually sounds. You may assume that, for
example, a violin should sound like a violin, but even ignoring the fact
that individual instruments sound different, you don't know if the
information on a particular recording is, by design or through incompetence,
an exact replica of the original sound.

Ludspeakers: How do you judge "neutrality"?
 

"Arny Krueger" wrote in message
...
"Dave Plowman" wrote in message

In article ,
Arny Krueger wrote:

SNIP


Much of the current art of audio production is dedicated to getting a
preferred sound that may be nothing like the live performance.



Which is why, IMHO, it is unreasonable to use live music as a reference for
judging how close to accurate a systems reproduction is. With any given CD
(assuming you weren't present at the recording) the listener does not know
how the information on the disc actually sounds. You may assume that, for
example, a violin should sound like a violin, but even ignoring the fact
that individual instruments sound different, you don't know if the
information on a particular recording is, by design or through incompetence,
an exact replica of the original sound.

Ludspeakers: How do you judge "neutrality"?
 

In article ,
Ian Molton wrote:
Ok, so given that, the next question is:

How do I fudge a 'phantom powered' XLR mic into the mic in on my PC ?

It's funny stuff, phantom. I'd build a completely separate basic 48 volt
supply - deriving it from a lower voltage ain't as easy as it sounds. And
the current needed is tiny, so you could build the whole thing into an
empty wall wart case from the likes of Maplin.

--
*The longest recorded flightof a chicken is thirteen seconds *

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

Ludspeakers: How do you judge "neutrality"?
 

In article ,
Ian Molton wrote:
Ok, so given that, the next question is:

How do I fudge a 'phantom powered' XLR mic into the mic in on my PC ?

It's funny stuff, phantom. I'd build a completely separate basic 48 volt
supply - deriving it from a lower voltage ain't as easy as it sounds. And
the current needed is tiny, so you could build the whole thing into an
empty wall wart case from the likes of Maplin.

--
*The longest recorded flightof a chicken is thirteen seconds *

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

Ludspeakers: How do you judge "neutrality"?
 

"RPS" wrote in message
...
This is inspired by the recent discussion on possible replacement for
my Spendor BC1's (thanks for all the comments in that thread):

Many of you have commented on a speaker being more or less
neutral/accurate than others.

If you were not present at the original recording session, with good
memory, how can you judge the accuracy of the reproduction?

I mean, I can tell that Spendor, Proac, and Dynaudio are sounding
different, but don't I need to be familiar with the actual original
sound to judge which one is accurate or uncolored?

There are many experienced audiophiles in this forum and I would
appreciate all comments, theoretical as well as how you approach
auditions personally.

Raghu

I get the whole natural thing, I have recently invested in a great sounding
system and was not blown away instantly. Like a lot of the posters have said
it becomes apparent that you are more listening to a replicator than an
processor that alters the tonal qualities of the sound.

This can be a disappointment in some cases as you can hear EVERYTHING. A lot
of CDs that sounded great on my old micro system now sound awful and empty.
I believe some audio can be purposely mixed and mastered to sound better on
smaller systems? But on the other hand an revisiting a lot of my collection
some long forgotten (no so good sounding) albums came alive.

Horses for courses
EggKing