SYSTEM OPTIMIZATION
The Revel Performa B15a subwoofer includes a built-in 3-band
parametric equalizer for use with sound measurement equipment
having at least 1⁄10 -octave resolution at 20Hz. Do not use crude
measurement devices, such as real-time or 1⁄3 -octave analyzers, to
measure low frequency performance in a listening room. Room
boundaries often cause modes or standing waves with very narrow-
band peaks and dips that are beyond this equipment’s measure-
ment-resolution capability. Adjusting the parametric equalizer
based on this data can result in very misleading results and degrad-
ed sound quality.
PLACEMENT OVERVIEW
Below 300Hz, the relationship of loudspeaker placement and
listener location has a profound impact on the way sound is repro-
duced. All rooms have “standing waves,” where certain frequencies
are emphasized or diminished. Their complex patterns, along with
the effect of surfaces near the loudspeakers or listeners, can combine
to introduce tremendous sound coloration at low frequencies.
Revel’s unique parametric equalization system offers a powerful
tool to help compensate for these effects. However, no electronic
system alone can fully compensate for the dramatic effects of room
acoustics. Every room will have locations where “nulls” at specific
frequencies occur. These cancellations of the sound are like “black
holes,” which no amount of equalization can fill.
The best results are always achieved through careful placement of
both the loudspeakers and the listening position. Optimum place-
ment can be determined through the use of computer modeling
programs, or by trial-and-error measurements. If at all possible,
find the best loudspeaker and listener locations before proceeding
with adjustments of the Revel parametric equalizer.
To help determine good locations for the subwoofer(s) and the
listener(s), we recommend making high-resolution in-room
response measurements using the REVEL LOW FREQUENCY
OPTIMIZER (LFO). This system provides the high-resolution
data needed for useful low-frequency measurements. Traditional
real-time analyzers (RTAs) or
1
⁄
3
-octave measurements have inade-
quate resolution, often resulting in misleading data and degraded
sound quality. Simply use the REVEL LFO test signals disc and
the LOW FREQUENCY OPTIMIZER will plot the results of the
measurement at each speaker or listener (microphone) location.
Continued on the next page...
REVEL PERFORMA B15a
Owner’s Manual
21
IMPORTANT