So I saw Dayton Audio has a DATS V3 out. Seems nice, and not expensive! Yay! Ooops except for the "Windows Only" part and I don't have a decent WinTel machine any more.
- Are there automated alternatives for Mac/iOS? (I don't want to homebrew anything, don't want to spend that much time)
- If not, how crappy/cheap of a Windoze machine would I get away with to run this? (I have some at work but none that have Admin access to install anything, grrrr, and nobody knows how to fix that, no tech any more).
- And if I did scam a WinBlows machine, would you get DATS or something else?
- Are there automated alternatives for Mac/iOS? (I don't want to homebrew anything, don't want to spend that much time)
- If not, how crappy/cheap of a Windoze machine would I get away with to run this? (I have some at work but none that have Admin access to install anything, grrrr, and nobody knows how to fix that, no tech any more).
- And if I did scam a WinBlows machine, would you get DATS or something else?
With REW, which can run on Mac computers, a rig using a series resistor can be wired or clip-lead connected to test impedance:
Impedance Measurement - REW - Room EQ Wizard Room ...
Impedance Measurement
Impedance Measurement
Impedance Measurement - REW - Room EQ Wizard Room ...
Impedance Measurement
Impedance Measurement
Attachments
Dont even need a Computer or software.
2 meters and Series Resistor and Signal Generator / Function Generator
connected to any basic amplifier driving the speaker.
You can just use a Function Gen on a phone...if your phone has a audio output.
You have to plot every frequency.....or
If its just something simple, like confirming Reflex tuning.
Just do a few steps below and above where tuning is expected.
I got my WinBlows computer @ a pawn shop for 200 bucks.
Has a fancy monitor and gaming mouse/ keyboard.
basically all that is needed. If you do go the software/hardware route
2 meters and Series Resistor and Signal Generator / Function Generator
connected to any basic amplifier driving the speaker.
You can just use a Function Gen on a phone...if your phone has a audio output.
You have to plot every frequency.....or
If its just something simple, like confirming Reflex tuning.
Just do a few steps below and above where tuning is expected.
I got my WinBlows computer @ a pawn shop for 200 bucks.
Has a fancy monitor and gaming mouse/ keyboard.
basically all that is needed. If you do go the software/hardware route
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Dats software is windows only, so you need a windows machine. The hardware can be made working on mac with rew (but i don't know how). But in general it's better to have a windows machine if you're into diy as almost all software is windows only there. Engineers prefer windows or linux as those are tweakable, mac not. And yes, i know mac hardware and software rather well, i did mac IT support for a big graphic company for years and was the mac specialist untill about 2 years ago. But for my own i prefer a windows or linux computer also.
REW great. But good lab practice is to substitute and plot one or two resistors of known resistance (like a 5 and a 12 Ohm) and then run the driver to see how the three curves compare on your test set-up. And no calibration needed working that way.
Actually measuring a driver's impedance curve (and compared to manufacturer's spec) would illustrate what a crude idea passive crossovers is.
Impedance is, of course, immaterial with bi-amping.
B.
Actually measuring a driver's impedance curve (and compared to manufacturer's spec) would illustrate what a crude idea passive crossovers is.
Impedance is, of course, immaterial with bi-amping.
B.
Only if you want it basic and don't want to compare variants in a given design to see how, and how much changes make. There's a lot of information in a Z curve if you know what to look for/at.
I wouldn't say that. I always did my impedance curves with a voltmeter, pencil and paper.. Ok, it takes time, and to save time you only pursue high resolution in the important bands..... but they are accurate and you can get anything you need from them.
Plotting on a computer is good because you can obtain high resolution plots quickly, and this also makes comparisons convenient. However spending money is optional.
Plotting on a computer is good because you can obtain high resolution plots quickly, and this also makes comparisons convenient. However spending money is optional.
Allen, you said basically what I did; it's much easier and convenient on a PC, especially to make comparisons. Sure you can do it long hand, and I'm from the era before PCs where I did FRs and Zs with log/log amps on a 4" CRO and took Polaroids.
No more cost involved if you don't use a crApple.
No more cost involved if you don't use a crApple.
With a tiny bit of soldering, one could make an impedance box or DATS "clone".
There isn't much into it.
I wouldn't recommend going full analog anymore these days.
It's maybe fun for nostalgia reasons, or getting to know other gear, but even a simple and cheap audio interface (like a UCA202 or so), will be more convenient.
Some people also still like to use typewriters these days, if that is your thing, nothing wrong with it
I also wouldn't recommend a DATS actually, just the low output level isn't always enough. Especially when you have to trouble shoot things and such.
For 130 bucks one could easily make something that performs a lot better.
Especially with a bit of creativity.
There isn't much into it.
I wouldn't recommend going full analog anymore these days.
It's maybe fun for nostalgia reasons, or getting to know other gear, but even a simple and cheap audio interface (like a UCA202 or so), will be more convenient.
Some people also still like to use typewriters these days, if that is your thing, nothing wrong with it
I also wouldn't recommend a DATS actually, just the low output level isn't always enough. Especially when you have to trouble shoot things and such.
For 130 bucks one could easily make something that performs a lot better.
Especially with a bit of creativity.
Anything you need - including phase, if you take enough resolution to get accurate derivatives. Big if.
Or use a dual trace scope - one measuring voltage, the other measuring current. Well, voltage across an ohm other ten, same as the sound card test jig. Invert the “current” probe if the scope has that button. Plot the two traces, adjust amplitudes to match, then you can measure the phase. Just take the frequency points you need. You need fewer than if you were trying to construct phase from amplitude only. I even made a little “jig” amplifier that has a 10 ohm (selected to be exact) carbon comp resistor in the return, and the signal/chassis ground floated to the junction of the resistor and speaker under test. Have to float the signal AC ground (but not the feedback return) to the same point. Made it easier to connect a scope, the test jig, and sig-gen without chopping the ground prongs off the plugs. That got me thru the college years when the only computer I owned was a Trash-80. It did the T/S and filter calculations.
Amplitude is still best measured with a DMM, as you can get more than two significant digits and eliminate errors reading it. Frequency response of the meter is unimportant, as long as you use the same one for V and I. Or two of the same.
That takes me back I recall using lissajous plots at one point. I had a Commodore and did similar. I expanded the simulation when I moved to IBM/VGA. I wish I had some screenshots...
@ b_force If anything I was making the point that success is not connected with investment. In any case, what a self-contained system offers is convenience.. not having to worry about how any of it works. Of course, this probably isn't an advantage in the long run...
I recall using lissajous plots at one point. I had a Commodore and did similar. I expanded the simulation when I moved to IBM/VGA. I wish I had some screenshots...@ b_force If anything I was making the point that success is not connected with investment. In any case, what a self-contained system offers is convenience.. not having to worry about how any of it works. Of course, this probably isn't an advantage in the long run...
Digits mean absolutely nothing when the measuring method itself, or the DUT has less accuracy.
I have done both, actually, back at college we even used those analog writers for a bit
Being able to plot the impedance graph or also use it for creating filters is a thousand times more convenient to me.
But again, whatever floats your boat and makes you happy.
As long as that self-contained system does everything well, I would agree.
Unfortunately the DATS system is just very limited is all I am saying, while still having a VERY steep price.
One can buy quite a nice audio interface for the same amount.
Most onboard soundcards these days are even pretty fine compared to a DATS system.