Short answers to the questions people ask most about room correction. Each links to the guide that covers it in full.
What does room correction actually do?
It measures how your room changes the sound of your speakers, then adjusts the signal to counter it. It’s most effective in the bass, where rooms cause the biggest problems. See How Room Correction Works.
Which room correction system do I have?
It depends on your receiver or processor brand. Denon and Marantz use Audyssey, with Dirac Live as an upgrade on many models. Yamaha uses YPAO and Anthem uses ARC. See Which System Do I Have?.
Where does the microphone go?
The first position is your main seat, at seated ear height, on a tripod or stand rather than a cushion. The other positions spread around the seating area.
How many measurement positions should I use?
It varies by system. Audyssey and YPAO allow up to 8, Anthem ARC uses 5 by default, and Dirac Live recommends at least 9. RoomPerfect keeps going until Room Knowledge reaches about 90 to 95%.
Why does the bass sound weaker after calibration?
Room correction removes bass peaks, and peaks are easier to hear than dips, so bass can seem lighter even though it’s more even. Raising the target curve below about 100 Hz by a few dB usually fixes it. See What Is a Target Curve?.
Should I use a flat target curve?
Usually not. A flat in-room response tends to sound thin and bright. Most preferred targets slope gently down from bass to treble. See Target Curves Compared.
What crossover should I use?
80 Hz is a common starting point for speakers used with a subwoofer. Smaller speakers often work better at 100 to 120 Hz. Avoid setting a crossover below where your speaker’s bass runs out.
Can I use the Audyssey microphone with Dirac Live?
No. Dirac Live needs a USB measurement microphone such as a miniDSP UMIK-1 or UMIK-2. See Dirac Live Step 2: Choose Your Microphone.
Do I need to run it again if I move a speaker?
Yes. Any change to speaker or seat positions changes the room’s effect, so the old calibration no longer matches.
Why doesn’t my subwoofer distance match my tape measure?
The distance includes the subwoofer’s own processing delay, so it’s normally longer than the physical distance.
What’s the difference between Bass Control and ART in Dirac Live?
Bass Control makes subwoofers and speakers work together through the crossover. ART goes further, using several speakers together to cancel bass resonances and shorten decay. See Room Correction, Bass Management, Bass Control and ART Explained.
Do I still need room treatment?
Room correction can’t remove reflections or echo in the mid and high frequencies. Treatment can. The two work best together. See Room Treatment.
Do I need REW?
No, but it’s the only way to see what your calibration really changed at your seat. It’s free. See Measure with REW.
Is RoomEQLab really free?
Yes. Every guide is free to read, with no sign-up and nothing to buy from us.