I currently own an equalizer, a Behringer T1951 and am considering upgrading to a Behringer DEQ2496. My questions is what is the best way to measure the un-EQ'd speaker response.

For one thing, I suppose it is best to measure and EQ each speaker separately, (see Mike Anderson's thread on the DEQ2496). Agreed?

The other question is trickier. At what distance should one measure the response of each speaker (and why)? Mike A. measured his speakers from his listening position. On the face of it, this is very reasonable as the EQ will level not only the inherent speaker respnse, but also the room response at the location where it's most important.

But I've read a couple of things that make me wonder whether listening position is the whole answer. First, I've read some papers from Harmon International, (Dr. Floyd Toole, et al.), wherein it was determined employing blind, listener panel testing, that the direct sound from the speaker is more important to the perceived "good" sound of a speaker than the reflected sound.

Second, I read DEQX's white paper on EQ, and phase and time correction that their high-end stuff does. DEQX is very clear that one must measure the speakers near-field, or "quasi-anechoically" to properly establish EQ as well as the other aspects, for the speaker or each driver comprising the speaker of DEQX's crossovers are used. After that is done, further correct for the room correction may be done, however DEQX also most treats this as an after-though!

When we measure from the listening position with ordinary equipment such as the Behringer, we are obviously basing our results on the combined direct and relected sound. But is this the way to go? Or should we base our EQ primarily on near-field measurements, perhaps correcting for gross room effects after that?