My BFD results

[Olivertmc]

I figure this as good a thread as any to ask this question:

I recently received the BFD for Christmas, and I'm kind of nervous as to what I'm getting into. I looked pretty carefully at the information posted at Hometheatershack, and the REQ software appears to be more complicated than just doing this manual. This may be a product of my ignorance as to some of the concepts involved. I know I need this thing, and I understand what it does (I think), but as a newbie, do you guys recommend doing this manually (I have the RS SPL) or starting with the software?

Thanks - I have a feeling I'll be posting a lot on this board in the days and weeks to come - I anticipate many questions.

- Olivertmc

[L.J.]

I figure this as good a thread as any to ask this question:

I recently received the BFD for Christmas, and I'm kind of nervous as to what I'm getting into. I looked pretty carefully at the information posted at Hometheatershack, and the REQ software appears to be more complicated than just doing this manual. This may be a product of my ignorance as to some of the concepts involved. I know I need this thing, and I understand what it does (I think), but as a newbie, do you guys recommend doing this manually (I have the RS SPL) or starting with the software?

Thanks - I have a feeling I'll be posting a lot on this board in the days and weeks to come - I anticipate many questions.

- Olivertmc

I haven't worked with both so Kex or Wooch may be able to provide a better answer. My understanding is that the REW route can get you better results and save you alot of time.

Going the manual route wasn't as hard as I thought. I read the REW & manual guide several times before starting and just took it one step at a time. Hooking it up and experimenting made things a little easier. It was time consuming, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes a little easier.

[Woochifer]

I figure this as good a thread as any to ask this question:

I recently received the BFD for Christmas, and I'm kind of nervous as to what I'm getting into. I looked pretty carefully at the information posted at Hometheatershack, and the REQ software appears to be more complicated than just doing this manual. This may be a product of my ignorance as to some of the concepts involved. I know I need this thing, and I understand what it does (I think), but as a newbie, do you guys recommend doing this manually (I have the RS SPL) or starting with the software?

Thanks - I have a feeling I'll be posting a lot on this board in the days and weeks to come - I anticipate many questions.

- Olivertmc

I've gotten mixed results using the REW software. Once you learn how to use the REW, it's actually simpler to program the BFD because it automatically tells you what settings you should use and how many EQ filters to setup. The REW simplifies things even further if you use a MIDI connection between the computer and the BFD. With a MIDI connection, you can actually use the computer to control the BFD. But, that's a bridge that I haven't crossed yet.

With the manual plotting, you have to estimate the bandwidth and the center point on each EQ filter that you use. On my "flat" curve, I actually use 10 EQ filters, which is overkill but it also gives me the bass that I like.

I originally used a manual plot with a RS SPL meter, along with the Excel spreadsheet that's posted on the BFD Guide website. I also experimented with house curves and alternate configurations. But, generally I use my "flat" curve and boost the subwoofer levels by +4 to +8 db.

When I used the REW software, the program identified three EQ filters, one of which used a very wide bandwidth. I thought that the bass with the new settings sounded more bloated, but still a huge improvement over the unequalized subwoofer.

For an absolute beginner, I would stick with the BFD Guide's manual measurement method, and try the REW method if some of the adjustments seem overly confusing. (The REW software requires a computer with a sound card, and a microphone) Either way, you need to learn how to use the BFD in the first place, and that's a bit of a learning curve in itself. But, believe me the improvements to your bass afterwards make it all worthwhile.