[rtate]

My 2 channel room is completely untreated at this time. I have decided that before I up grade any more equipment I want to make my room the best it can be.
So as this is my first venture into this arena and I don't have a clue what I need   

1) Should I just start adding treatments by trial and error ? (I'm guessing probably not.)

2) Should I take room measurements ? (Probably )
 If so what hardware do I need to get ? (mic, soundcard, software)

3) Will the room measurements/software tell me what treatments I need and where to place them ?

I really am curious to see how bad my room is, but have no idea where to start.
Cheers   

[jriggy]

Depending on if you are interested in making your own treatments OR purchasing nice new ones, you could measure the room, take pics and then contact GIK for help... You'll get good suggestions here on what to use to measuring.

[Phil A]

+1 on the above - if doing measurements with a computer here is one option - http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-umm-6-usb-measurement-microphone--390-808

[AJinFLA]

My 2 channel room is completely untreated at this time.

I really am curious to see how bad my room is

What's wrong with the sound? What are your ears telling you?

$40 spent here https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=floyd+toole+sound+reproduction might be the best investment you make. The Youtube video is free 
As is this http://www.audioholics.com/room-acoustics/room-reflections-human-adaptation

If you are interested in measurements, REW is free and one of these https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=umik-1+minidsp is around $75.

cheers,

AJ

[Elizabeth]

Basic measurements and a little bit o calculating fractions is a free start.
My first venture into checking acoustic stuff was to meaure the exact room parts. So width, length (and legth for me includes a divider with closet behind, which separates the entrance hall and kitchen in my apt)

The main thing one can calculate is wanting to not use even fractions.
So my speakers are at 1/9 and 1/7 from far walls. Not 1/8!
The odd order of dimentions breaks up room nodes..

You can also use a flashlight or laser pn and mirrors for sidewall reflection points. Sit in your chair and ave anther person move a mirror along the walls, you flash the reflector fromaround your ears trying o hit your tweeter with the reflected light. THAT spot on the walls is where you put some dampening on the walls.

Easy free start. Dampening on the walls can be even just a folded towel temporarily taped up, to see if it works.. No need to spend a big pile of money to discover it means nothing. You can try for free, basically, THEN spend the money later when you know it will do some good.

[JWL.GIK]

Good advice so far. Testing is always a good idea (though not 100% necessary if people resist the idea.... other people like me love the geeky testy stuff). This will help you with testing using the fantastic, free Room EQ Wizard:

http://gikacoustics.com/room-eq-wizard-tutorial/

That said, as much info as testing provides about your specific room, we (mostly) already know what the solution will be to the problems testing reveals. A good bass trapping strategy, early reflection management, and overall ambience control are key. These will help you:

http://gikacoustics.com/the-basics-bass-traps-diffusion-panels/
http://gikacoustics.com/video-early-first-reflection-points/
http://www.gikacoustics.com/a-well-balanced-audio-room-using-giks-patented-treatments/

And as someone wrote above, if you are thinking of using GIK treatments, then please contact us! One of our guys will work with you to come up with the best possible treatment strategy for your room and your budget.

http://www.gikacoustics.com/acoustic-advice/

[SoCalWJS]

Probably need to do a few things first.

1) What are room dimensions?
2) Where are your speakers located?
3) What types of speakers do you have? (radiation pattern and frequency extension)
4) What are you willing to live with?
    a) Treatments
    b) Speaker placement
    c) DSP

...then contact GIK 

Room measurements are always good to have, but you are going to have to front some money regardless of what method you choose (I went with OmniMic myself)

[rtate]

Thanks for all the great reply's !
@ jriggy , I might try to diy depending on results and cost but  I'm not sure yet
@ phil , I have been looking at  those usb mic's but was  wondering if I use a usb type mic plugged into my laptop using something like REW software what actually generates the sound the that mic records ?
@ AJ , my sound is ok but I keep reading that room treatments are the best investments and I wonder what I'm missing !
@ Elizabeth , I have played around with speaker placement a little but again I'm not sure what I'm doing at this point
@ JWL, thanks for the links and I too like the geeky stuff and enjoy the journey as well as the results !

[Hipper]

Playing around with speaker placement will show you the sort of improvements that are possible. Here's one idea:

http://www.barrydiamentaudio.com/monitoring.htm

Why not try it for a time even if the positioning is not practical long term. If 'thirds' don't work, try fifths - that's what I more or less use.

Room positioning, room treatment, perhaps an equaliser/dsp if your dare(!) to finish up.

All these changes can be measured. Room EQ Wizard (REW) has been mentioned. It's true the software is free but you need a laptop, microphone plus cable and stand, maybe more plus endless patience to learn how to best use it.

Then look at new gear, isolation/anti vibration, power supply, cables.

Have fun but try not to get too bogged down. It's all about enjoying the music after all!

[Phil A]

Thanks for all the great reply's !

@ phil , I have been looking at  those usb mic's but was  wondering if I use a usb type mic plugged into my laptop using something like REW software what actually generates the sound the that mic records ?

You merely need to make sure that your PC's settings for managing audio devices is correct.  REW has stuff that feeds the microphone.

[Phil A]

maybe more plus endless patience to learn how to best use it.

So true - still a novice at using REW.  Have an outboard one third octave RTA for years.

[rtate]

Funny, I was under the impression that the sound sweeps would be generated by my main speakers/amplifier in order for the microphone to record the room response based on my speakers ?
So the sound that is being recorded comes from the laptop speakers  ?

[Phil A]

The amplifier will of course play the sounds via the speakers

[rtate]

Thanks Phil, forgive my ignorance..
So, I'm trying to picture how this will all be connected.
What is the source of the audio ? Is there a cd or something that I play or how do I connect the laptop to my preamp input ?
Does the REW software have the audio tracks ?

[Phil A]

Thanks Phil, forgive my ignorance..
So, I'm trying to picture how this will all be connected.
What is the source of the audio ? Is there a cd or something that I play or how do I connect the laptop to my preamp input ?
Does the REW software have the audio tracks ?

The laptop or PC should be connected to the audio system like a source and played thru the speakers.  REW has test tones.  That's why I noted earlier about making sure the correct audio device is selected (in the case of two of my systems I have a DAC connected to the preamp so I made sure the correct audio device is selected - if you are using an analog mini jack to a stereo RCA on the preamp from the PC the tones would be played back from the input to the preamp.  The Parts Express mic I posted earlier goes into a USB input on the PC.  When you get the mic, it has a response correction file for the mic which you go onto the Parts Express site to put on the PC.  That's why sometimes I still use my RTA - just used to it.

[Phil A]

Thanks Phil, forgive my ignorance..
So, I'm trying to picture how this will all be connected.
What is the source of the audio ? Is there a cd or something that I play or how do I connect the laptop to my preamp input ?
Does the REW software have the audio tracks ?

There's some FAQ here and a video - http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-umm-6-usb-measurement-microphone--390-808#lblProductQ&A

[rtate]

Thanks Phil, I'm going to order a UMM-6 tonight and start reading and you tubing....

[Phil A]

Thanks Phil, I'm going to order a UMM-6 tonight and start reading and you tubing....

Keep us up to date - as noted, I'm a novice.  I've used it probably 7-8 times.  I have a one third octave RTA (with its own mic) which I'm used to after using for many years.

[JWL.GIK]

Good luck testing! This video will help you a lot (apologies if I've already linked to it):

http://www.gikacoustics.com/room-eq-wizard-tutorial/

[Big Red Machine]

Also Home Theater Shack has a fantabulous list of instructions with pictures on how to set up the test rig with wiring it correctly.

All the devices you might employ are covered:
http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/rew-forum/11707-room-eq-wizard-rew-information-index-links-guides-technical-articles-please-read.html

I personally use screen shots and leave those pages in my boxes to refer to each time since it might be a year or more between runs.