Any way to test an ECM8000 yourself?

[DJNUBZ]

I was wondering if there is any way to check the accuracy of a ecm8000 without sending it out to be calibrated.

[Pano]

You could compare it to a known omni-directional mic; that's basically what calibration is.
Some folks have had luck comparing it to a known driver, like a high quality tweeter.
It's the top and the bottom of the range that need to be checked.

[DJNUBZ]

I have a pair of mackie hr624 studio monitors, do you think they are good enough to use as a reference?

[tuxedocivic]

Is the frequency response of the mackies well documented somewhere?

I think Pano meant measure a driver that has been measured by various people and compare your measurement to those.

[Speedskater]

Before you start checking mic response curves, read how Earthworks does it.

http://www.earthworksaudio.com/wp-co...sures-mics.pdf

[tvrgeek]

Just have it done. They vary a lot more than you think. Once I had one done, I did a "close enough" on my second one and my home made Panasonic. I did not pay the extra for phase response as at that time my design work was not that complex. Wish I had but it is a lot more money.

You can't use ANY published frequency response of a speaker at home. I would suggest doing a lot more reading, like "Testing Loudspeakers" By John D.

[Ron E]

You could read up on reciprocity calibration.
Use a headphone element as the auxiliary transducer and measure a tweeter.
Basically measure any tweeter with your mic and the headphone element (used as a mic) then measure the headphone element (used as a speaker) with your mic. There is some math, but you get a primary calibration. I have done it (very roughly - mics sitting on a table) using a cheap radio shack dynamic omni microphone instead of a headphone transducer - the results weren't great, but promising enough to try it again with a more elaborate setup.

[tvrgeek]

If you need it within a couple of dB, have it done. Period. $60