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Stereophile Test CD questions

Hi all,
I just got the Stereophile test cd's, and i'm trying to figure out how to use them. I have some very basic questions, so please bear with me. First off, how does one use pink noise? Secondly, I was pleased to see that the imaging seemed to be very good, by all their tests. Thirdly, as I went through the test tone warbles, wuth progressively lower frequencies, the volume seemed to diminish. I don't have an SPL meter, so this is according to my ears. 25 Hz. was clearly audible, but 20Hz. was barely there. Does this imply that I need a sub to fill out the lower frequencies? My room has no treatments, and the speakers are close to the wall, thanks to WAF. I plan to get a room in 6 months or so, where the speakers can be in th center, if that's where they'll sound the best.
Thanks,
David
deshapiro
rives
953 posts
 
Phase testing is very important. You can check the absolute phase, or if one of your speakers is out of phase. As to your comment about microphones--yes, but the placement of the mics is almost as important as the type of mic you are using. So much goes into recordings and I often wonder if older recordings the issues of mic and placement were more diligently treated than they are today.
socrates
247 posts
 
Pink noise useless? Hardly. It is a very good tool to setup the speakers to obtain best possible 3D soundstage. Adjust the distance from the wall and apart, as well as toe-in to acheive a locked in "ball" of noise in the center with clearly heard roundness/depth to the image with the pink noise playing at moderate level, that's how you use it, it works very well and is fun to do.
herman
1,974 posts
 
Very few full range speakers will reproduce bass down to 20Hz. A lot of subs won't do 20Hz either. If you have output at 25Hz then you are doing very well.
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