I think this statement is a little extreme and could keep a few people from evaluating what can be an incredibly useful tool. Yes, Behringer's DEQ2496 analog sections sound crummy, but the sound when using the digital I/O is very transparent, to the point where my truly golden eared friends can't hear any degradation, one in fact preferred the in-circuit sound over the straight digital in to his DAC (I have no idea why, it sounded identical to me.)
I have used the DEQ2496 with optical Digital In and optical Digital out and it performs really well.
There is a LOT of user flexibility on this unit, and many memory locations to store pre-sets. Lots of 1/3 octave filters and 10 Parametrics per channel, plus many other options which I don't use for home audio, excepting the stage width adjustment.
Used in Digital I/O with a good DAC following it the results can be spectacular. Much easier to use and many more features than most PC based filter systems, and the many memory pre-sets make for easy on the fly comparisons and custom settings, like adding loudness contouring, bass and treble boost and cut, fixing crummy recordings.
Yes, this requires a decent external DAC, but those are a dime a dozen now - used this way, don't rule Behringer out from the transparency or audio quality standpoint.
That being said, there IS another big issue with Behringer: build quality. I have installed about 15 of these and had three failures (within 18 months of install) which required full replacement of the units - not exactly acceptable IMO. However, you can do what I did, buy two used units for cheap on Ebay and keep one as a backup when the main unit fails.
Even with all the build quality issues the DEQ2496 is one very powerful, useful and clean sounding device when used in Digital I/O - and the flexibility/ease of use as a standalone is way better than any PC based solutions I've seen thus far.
Good point about using external DACs with the Behringers. Those DACs are indeed very inexpensive now - circa $30 to $50 for some really nice ones I believe. A lot easier than modding the analog rear end yourself in the Behringer.
I do cringe though when I read about the reliability...
Hope I have a good one. I already have a DAC standby but plan on reworking the analog front end.
Hope I have a good one. I already have a DAC standby but plan on reworking the analog front end.
I'm real glad to hear someone with a lot of experience tell me that the Behringer digital section is excellent, after all the work I went to replacing the analog sections on my DEQ2496. Behringer stuff is so cheap for what you get, I guess it's not too bad if you have to replace the unit every once in a while. For those who have the ability to interface digitally with it, it might be a good choice.
deq2496 tweaks
The Behringer Deq2496 and the Dcx2496 are excellent candidates for DIY modifications.
I replaced the dac chip with a AK4396 and inserted a new analog output stage. This has bed in my system for about 4 years and sounds great.
Here's a link for more details
Also google for Jan Diddens DCX mod.
The Behringer Deq2496 and the Dcx2496 are excellent candidates for DIY modifications.
I replaced the dac chip with a AK4396 and inserted a new analog output stage. This has bed in my system for about 4 years and sounds great.
Here's a link for more details
Also google for Jan Diddens DCX mod.
Behringer tweaks
The Behringer Deq2496 and the Dcx2496 are excellent candidates for DIY modifications.
I replaced the dac chip with a AK4396 and inserted a new analog output stage. This has been in my system for about 4 years and sounds great.
Here's a link for more details
Also google for Jan Diddens DCX mod.
The Behringer Deq2496 and the Dcx2496 are excellent candidates for DIY modifications.
I replaced the dac chip with a AK4396 and inserted a new analog output stage. This has been in my system for about 4 years and sounds great.
Here's a link for more details
Also google for Jan Diddens DCX mod.
I have had good experience with a number of Behringer products and find them to more than adequate for DIY measuring. The UCA202 is fine computer interface that I use with the RTA measuring programs.
🙄
I put the pics in a powerpoint and let her rate them (WAF) from her perspective on a scale from 1 to 5, where 4 (and above) is "I'd rather have them than the ones we have" and 2 (and below) is "I wouldn't let them into the house".
(I hope I don't hurt anyones feelings with this... It's a very subjective matter, and she is picky/spoiled with the speakers we own. She didn't go through her ratings, so the first ones might have been different if they were last.)
Rating: 1.
Rating: 3 if a darker color (I'm kinda surprised here.)
Rating: 2.5
Rating: 2.5
Rating: 3
Rating: 1.5
Rating: 2
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Rating: 2
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Rating: 1.5
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Rating: 4
Rating: 2
Rating: 3.5 (I asked her if it would be even better if it was just a straight box, and the answer was no).
Rating: 2.5
Rating: 3
Rating: 2.5
Rating: 1
Rating: 2
Rating: 2
Rating: 1
Rating: 1.5
Rating: 1
Rating: 2
Rating: 2.5
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Rating: 3.5 (if not taller than current speakers - 110 cm)
Rating: 3.5 (they need to be tall enough so people/kids don't sit on them.)
Rating: 2.5
Rating: 2
Rating: 1
Rating: 4
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Rating: 2
Rating: 3 (might be better if less deep.
Conclusions
1. No ordinary floor standers. We went through all speakers in post #20 and they recieved 2 or less.
2. On-wall is good. Line source can apparently be too (if on-wall).
3. The subwoofers need to be either hidden or disguised. I showed her this:
and she thought the subwoofer was ok, but the on-wall speaker was too much.
/Anton
I'm just a lucky bastard I guess 😀
No news on the speaker front yet. Hope to have that coming real soon.
Just some thoughts on JRiver... that little program keeps amazing me.
Not only does it come with all the options I could ever want on the audio front, it's video side isn't lacking either!
I've spend a few days optimizing the video end with all sources I could throw at it and it is nothing short of amazing! The Mad-vr video integration together with the excellent audio abilities make it an easy choice for a Home Theatre setup I'd think.
I had a lot of fun exploring the settings from anything like Blu-Ray to DVD playback. It almost makes DVD look like HD material when setup right.
A lot has improved since the last time I had a PC hooked up to my TV/stereo. That was around 1998/1999 so quite a while back.
I think the time has finally come to be able integrate everything on a high quality level at an acceptable cost. And at the same time making things possible that weren't available before.
Just some thoughts on JRiver... that little program keeps amazing me.
Not only does it come with all the options I could ever want on the audio front, it's video side isn't lacking either!
I've spend a few days optimizing the video end with all sources I could throw at it and it is nothing short of amazing! The Mad-vr video integration together with the excellent audio abilities make it an easy choice for a Home Theatre setup I'd think.
I had a lot of fun exploring the settings from anything like Blu-Ray to DVD playback. It almost makes DVD look like HD material when setup right.
A lot has improved since the last time I had a PC hooked up to my TV/stereo. That was around 1998/1999 so quite a while back.
I think the time has finally come to be able integrate everything on a high quality level at an acceptable cost. And at the same time making things possible that weren't available before.
I noticed you did not show any Cornu's but I would assume they would fare well with your WAF.
Why does the rounded egg shaped speaker always win?
Wrong thread X 😉. I just quoted that message into my thread because of the great score I got...
I should have linked to the original thread.
I should have linked to the original thread.
Actually I am still confused about the score is 1 good or bad? I was a not confused too because I did not recall seeing it earlier but thought I must have missed it.
It seems women think more in terms of decoration, and guys are more about function. Those Line Array speakers need a bigger room. The side walls being so close in will create artificial spaciousness, but it will be the same on every recording, so it may get old after a while. Any imaging in the program source will be somewhat dominated by it.
I am aware of what you describe. But I plan on aiming both speakers so that they cross in front of the central listening position. One wall is short, the other has the opportunity to have damping/absorbing materials behind the curtain. The wall ends where the guitar is standing (end of curtain) and the room is a little wider from there on towards the listening position. I hope that will counter some of the negative effects of that wall. The aiming should help somewhat to create a wider sweet spot also.
I'm lucky to get approval to build these crazy towers. I wasn't allowed to place any speakers free standing from walls though, so this was the best (to me) alternative I could come up with. It was the reason for me to go for these line arrays.
I got to live with this positioning as is for now 🙂. DSP won't fix everything but judging from my car setup a lot can be done and the detail is in the little things.
Next step is to remove the stereo from the wall mounts into a cabinet under the TV. That gives me a bit more wiggle room for the aiming and placement. But that won't happen till after the towers have played to get a sniff of their potential.
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Spring is here!
meaning building time is coming soon for you! I can't wait to see what you will come up with next. I finally got through all 34 pages of this thread! Pfew! Great read, but had to do it over the period of a few days.
I am too on standby as I am trying to assess drivers' availability in my corner of the world.
Plus a few other designs keep creeping up in my mind. And more questions too...
But that will be in my thread! 🙂
I also have been looking at JRiver lately, looks interesting, but... I'm on a Mac, and although they charge the same price for their software as on the PC side, it is not even half way up to PC's specs. Kind of a rip off... will need to build one of those little HTPC, me thinks.
meaning building time is coming soon for you! I can't wait to see what you will come up with next. I finally got through all 34 pages of this thread! Pfew! Great read, but had to do it over the period of a few days.
I am too on standby as I am trying to assess drivers' availability in my corner of the world.
Plus a few other designs keep creeping up in my mind. And more questions too...
But that will be in my thread! 🙂
I also have been looking at JRiver lately, looks interesting, but... I'm on a Mac, and although they charge the same price for their software as on the PC side, it is not even half way up to PC's specs. Kind of a rip off... will need to build one of those little HTPC, me thinks.