a) Use of a PC with sound card and free / affordable / medium priced software
b) Simple devices like the Hifish Controller (for room acoustics measuring)
c)Affordable measuring systems with hardware (PC card, microphone) like e.g. Clio lite
d) Professional systems like Clio by Audiomatica, highly recommendable and the lowest priced in this category Interesting for commercial use: Clio.
Most measuring attempts fail because: 1) The measuring system is not set-up properly (contact problems), 2) By mistake the room acoustics are measured, instead of the loudspeaker.
Are you an electronics student or you have plenty of time, know how to check out a measuring system and understand the term Fourier transformation, then we recommend solution a) using programmes like Audiot, Audua (available on the Internet) or ATB PC.
If you are unsure what or how much to measure or if you would rather like to measure the room acoustics we suggest b). Should you want to develop loudspeakers we recommend a), c) or d).
We have found a reasonably priced solution in section d) which we would like to introduce to you: Clio by Audiomatica.
This measuring system is absolutely fascinating. Even professional loudspeaker manufacturers think that way. To familiarise yourself with Clio we give you some details.
Both Clio hardware measuring systems consist of a switch controller: Clio PCI (picture right) contains in addition a measuring card (picture right) to be inserted into a free PCI slot. This controller really makes your life easy - no cable swapping.
With Clio FW (picture below) the measuring card is integrated in the switch controller.
Descriptions and handbooks as downloadable PDF files: Descriptions: Clio, an overview the Clio FW Clio PCI/USB Quality control for speakers production amplifier Accessories microphone amplifier Manuals: Clio PCI Clio FW quality control and if you don't have a main amp the amplifier
A downloadable demo version (V7) is also available Please give us a call if you have questions or don't understand something.
On our tools page you'll find some examples Clio and its use: Thiele+Small parameters, frequency response measuring ...
... affordable hardware based measuring systems are:
Download software: Software V2.3, German (5 Mbytes) Software V2.3, English (5 Mbytes) Update V2.31, German (0,15 Mbytes) Signal CD (27 Mbytes)
ATB Precision launched an affordable measuring system with microphone using a PC and a sound card for measuring:
The system consists of: - Surround test DVD - Measuring microphone MC 1, frequency range 20 Hz ... 20 kHz - An adapter for generating a correction curve for the sound card - Measuring programme ATB PC for Windows 98, 2000, NT, XP - Handbook as PDF File
or the professional version ATB PC Pro:
The system consists of the measuring programme as well as a measuring box to be connected to the PC via USB. The PC is used to perform the various tasks and for measuring analysis.
Measuring procedures: - Amplitude / frequency response - Decay spectrums - Impedance response - Phase response - Thiele and Small parameter calculation - Impulse reaction - Oscilloscope - FFT analyser for distortion and noise spectrums
essential accessories (to be purchased separately) - measuring microphone - additional cables, going beyond a basic set - possibly measuring amplifier for loudspeaker tests at higher volumes
Price ATB Precision/USB: no longer deliverable
HiFish Audio Test-CD ACD Price EUR 14,90
Every home-made speaker may be optimised (not designed and developed). Even the sound of purchased speakers, may be improved on, since this system is capable of measuring the influence of bookshelves, wing chairs, damping carpets etc.
Well, if this is not enough, there will be additions to the system that may be integrated into your current hi-fi, enabling an analysis without dismantling your speakers. A programmable crossover and a high-end pre-amp have been announced already.
Summary of review in Hobby HiFi 2/2001: "A terrific gadget, this Audio Controller by HiFish: sound level measuring is done in a jiffy and with the use of the test CD even extensive frequency response tests and room acoustics analysis are performed without a hitch. The accurate calibration of a home cinema system is as easy as the determination of the ideal positioning of the speakers and establishing the hot spot. It's a useful tool in setting-up Helmholtz absorbers (so-called bass traps) and crossover networks. Short and sweet: a tool too good to miss in a hi-fi home. "
Docking Station A docking station is also available now. The station generates the test signals itself, thus replacing the CD player. The station's frequency response is 16 Hz to 20 kHz and is able to generate single tones, sine sweeps and stepped tone bursts. Price EUR 179,00
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