XTZ Room Analyzer or something else?

Your question calls up the thought: Do you know what you are doing? Neither system will offer a step-by-step procedure or set of instructions. Both will simply measure the system response in frequency and time. What you do with this information is up to you. Both will also suggest corrective filters but without an EQ that is simply more information. Both will only test one channel at a time but you can test others sequentially (or with Y-connectors).

What are you looking for?

Kal

XTZ is easier to use than REW because the hardware and software are well-integrated. It is less flexible than REW but you have to determine if it will do what you want.

Remember that, although REW is freeware, you still must buy the associated equipment.

Kal

If you know what you are doing, yes.

Kal

Thumperrider112, you will need to learn to use either one but neither one will tell you what to do with the read-outs. I suggest that you read some basic audio and acoustics books like Everest or Toole.

Kal

CARA will not 'suggest' where to move your speakers but will select the optimum position within the range/area you specify. However, it is based on the information you enter into the system and not on real-world measurements. Also, it is based on powerful but incomplete analysis models. I think it is a great tool to use before room design and its value declines as more and more real-world constraints are imposed on it. There is a simpler and easier equivalent that is probably as useful in completed construction situations: RPG's Room Optimizer.

XTZ, otoh, is a measurement system that will tell you how the system is actually performing in your room. It will suggest filters for the room/loudspeaker variations below the critical frequency but it cannot suggest setup changes because it cannot know anything about your system except how it measures at the microphone. REW is similar but with more tools, as is GoldLine's EZTUNE. There are several others. These will all tell you what is wrong (or right) about the measured setup but leave it up to you to change that and see if things get better or worse.

Kal