Topic: Shop offering calibrated Behringer ECM-8000 with REW .req file
This shop offers different measurement mics and solutions and gave a good overview via phone.
https://www.akustik-messen.de/index.php/en/
According to Mr. Jordan, the cheap Behringer ECM-8000 measurement microphone is only sufficient for lower frequency corrections. I think this is a good offer for a good calibrated Behringer:
https://www.akulap.de/joomla/index.php/ … iew/17/177
However, for accurate correction of frequencies around 6 or 8 kHz, you should get at least a Beyerdynamic MM1 (€239), which comes with a manufacturer’s calibration document, but not with an REW .req file.
Higher-quality measurement microphones cost €800 or more.
The Sonarworks measurement mic looks similar to the Behringer ECM-8000, so I expect the precision not to be much better.
In general, better results can be achieved through room optimization, and for this purpose, the REW solution can be helpful.
Correction using only DSP software without room treatment has the drawback that it applies only to one spot in the room. Even solutions claiming to measure multiple spots are not truly accurate. Its better to "tame" the room first. If then a little correction is needed, the remaining issues can be better solved by a DSP based solution.
So, if you have various issues in your room, it might be better to combine room optimization with measurements for DSP optimization, as this will likely lead to a more natural-sounding result compared to purely measurement-based solutions.
I've already experienced that a fully flat frequency curve often sounds bad, kind of overprocessed. I compensated for this by adjusting the dry/wet knob in Sonarworks to 50%, making it sound more natural to my ears and keeping EQ corrections within -6dB. This way, you get a good compromise that might sound better and cleaner in the low frequency area compared to listening in a completely untreated room. But it remains a compromise.
I intend to use Sonarworks only for correction in the bass/deep mid-area, maybe up to 800 Hz. Better than nothing at all, I think currently the best compromise for me compared to fully untreated.
The exported data includes Q-factors, which are useful for RoomEQ and can be imported.
Otherwise, I won’t use Sonarworks as a VST or as a system-wide compensation, as it might create wrong results if I forget to disable it when doing down mixes in the DAW, broadcasting, or gaming.
That's my idea of a viable compromise, your mileage may vary.
Only wanted to let you know some ideas and that there is a competent shop, which you can ask regarding purchase of a measurement mic. They also program their measurement solutions.