Frequency Response Test of your System

BlueWizard

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I stumbled across this by accident, and though some people might find it helpful.

This is intended to be a test of Headphones. But it works for any system -

The Ultimate Headphone Test!!! - YouTube -



First it sweeps down from 200hz to 10hz. My speakers are rated at 64hz on the low end, yet sitting at my computer I was able to hear down just below 30hz. (Speakers: Q Acoustics 3020 130mm))

Then next sweep is 8,000hz up to 20,000khz. Though the speakers are capable, sadly due to age, guns, and Rock-n-Roll, my hearing is not what it used to be. So it didn't go very high.

Next is a wide spectrum sweep intended to be played somewhat loud to reveal any rattling, buzzing, over-driven resonances in the system.

Next is a sweeping tone in MONO so the image, assuming your headphones, or room and speaker respond evenly, should stay fixed in the Center.

Next is a Left, Center, Right, and Polarity test.

This isn't really a serious test, but it can be informative and fun.

Whatever.

Steve/bluewizard
 
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And just for fun, how loud is loud, and what is the loudest -



Again, just for fun.

Steve/bluewizard
 
Though I don't have links, I have downloaded Pink Noise, 1/3rd Octave Test Tones, and 1/6th Octave Test Tone from the Internet. Though I have these in my Computer, I have burned them onto CDs. These can also be handy in analyzing your system, and you are less dependent on the TV or the Internet.

I'm sure if I searched them out, I could find frequency sweeps too.

Here is a link to Real Traps - Test CD, which has a slow frequency sweep from about 1hz up to 300hz increasing at 1hz per second. So, if your CD Player has a counter, it will track the frequency. Example, at 100 seconds the frequency is 100hz.

RealTraps - Test Tone CD

This allows you enough time to take measurements and plot the response in this frequency range.

Though the long slow drone of low Frequencies can cause your Voice Coils to heat up, so I would pause the player very minute to give things a bit of time to cool down.

It also helps restrain the volume if you normalize the sound level. By that I mean you play a 1khz tone and set the volume to a comfortable and safe level, then you do the 1hz to 300hz frequency sweep.

Of course, if you are going to plot the frequency response in his area, you will need a SPL/Sound Level Meter.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Sound+Level+Meter&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N2RLJ32

Or, you will need the Free Software (free for non-commecial use) Room EQ Wizard (REW) and some Calibration Grade Microphones. So, despite the fact that the REW Software is free, it will still cost you between £100 and £150 to get up and running, but this is very sophisticated Software which could easily be valued near £1000 on the commercial market.

REW - Room EQ Wizard Room Acoustics Software

REW - Room EQ Wizard Features and Screenshots

There are video tutorials on REW on YouTube and many Audio Support Forum and a Sub-Forum specifically for REW Support.

Official REW (Room EQ Wizard) Support Forum

REW Website has something of a on-line User's Manual -

REW - Room EQ Wizard Help Index

I think you might be able to down load this as a PDF file.

EDITED:


Room EQ Wizard
was created by the people at Home Theater Shack Forum, and you can get support there -

Home Theater

https://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/rew-forum/

Just a few thoughts.

Steve/bluewizard
 
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Also be aware that there are quite a range of low cost Audio Apps for your Smart Phone -

Sound Level Meter Apps -


https://play.google.com/store/search?q=sound level meter&c=apps&hl=en_US

Audio Spectrum Analyzer -


https://play.google.com/store/search?q=audio spectrum analyzer&c=apps&hl=en_US

Audio Tone Generator -


https://play.google.com/store/search?q=audio tone generator&c=apps&hl=en_US

A generally good product for Android is Audio Tools -

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.julian.apps.AudioTool



Audiotool website - Bofinit Corporation

Note: He keeps saying 'weighing' when he means 'weight' or 'weighted'.

There are similar tools for Apple Products, I just don't have links.

Actually this is a little confusing. The Android Product is (one word) AudioTool (JJBUNN). The Apple version is (two words) Audio Tools (StudioSixDigital).

In this video below he is demonstrating the Dayton Audio iMM-6 microphone, but he is using (to the best that I can determine) iOS Audio Tools (StudioSixDigital).



The AudioTools Platform | Studio Six Digital

AudioTools | Studio Six Digital

‎AudioTools - Apple App Store- US$9.99

You can buy Calibration Grade Microphones for Android Phones for a reasonable price -

Dayton Audio iMM-6 Calibration Microphone -

Amazon.co.uk: Dayton Audio iMM-6

Steve/bluewizard
 
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This one might also be helpful. What I like was the Mid-Band frequency sweep in mono. As it sweeps up, if there is an imbalance in your system or your hearing, the image will shift off center.

1-Minute Audio Test for Stereo Speakers & Headphones - YouTube -



I'm sure if you search, there are hundred of similar video on YouTube, which can be helpful if you can find a way to get them to play through your system.

Just trying to help.

Steve/bluewizard
 
If you are not inclined to burn your own Test Tone CD, then you can buy the on Amazon for a reasonable price -

Stereophile Test CD -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Test-CD-1/dp/B0000049XN/

I suspect given the outrageous price on the above CD, that they are no longer available, but Stereophile Magazine does still make these CDs, so if you shop around you can probably still find them. I know Music Direct in the USA has both Test CD1, Test CD2, and Test CD3 available.

The Stereophile Test CD

Stereophile's Test CD 2

Stereophile Test CD 3

Stereophile - Test CD 1 | Shop Music Direct

Stereophile - Test CD 2 | Shop Music Direct

Stereophile - Test CD 3 | Shop Music Direct

Stereophile Editor's Choice - Test CD | Shop Music Direct

Each disc has different content but all geared toward the same purpose. There is also a Test CD #4 coming out.

The Audio Check Disk - £15 -


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Audio-Check-Disc/dp/B000002S7I/

XLO Reference Recordings - Audio Test & Burn-In Disc - £18.72 -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Test-Burn-CD-GOLD/dp/B0000015AL/

Audio Equipment Set Up & Test Tone CD - £6.99 -


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Audio-Equipment-Set-Test-Tones/dp/B079R8XTPR/

EDITED:
For those who don't know, it is also possible to buy these TEST records in Vinyl. Though you probably have more control with a CD.

Just trying to help.

Steve/bluewizard
 
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For those who don't know, Streaming Services like Spotify, and I suspect others, have test tones that you can play from those services -

Audio Test Tones

Though of limited value, here is another website that has some test tones you can down load -

1/3OCTAVEBANDEDPINKNOISE.WAVTESTFILE

Near the top are Narrow Band Pink Noise WAV file. Simply right-click and save the file to your computer.

Next is a 1/3 Octave Frequency Sweep going from 20hz up to 240hz increasing 1hz every 5 seconds. Again, right-click and save the file.

I'm searching for 1/3rd Octave and/or 1/6 Octave Test Tones that you can download and use from you PC or burn on to a CD. When I find them I will post links.

Though again I remind you that for both Android and Apple Smart Phones, there are Tone Generator Apps. But the suggested AudioTool (PC) and Audio Tools (Apple) Apps have Tone Generators built in. AudioTool (PC) is about US$8 and Audio Tools (Apples) is about US$10. Very sophisticated audio analysis tools for an amazingly small amount of money.

When I find links to those Test Tones, I will post them.

Steve/bluewizard
 
Actually SnapBugs.ws has a range of Test Tones you can download -

Sinewaves

The frequency range tends to focus on low frequencies, but for some people these might be useful.

Again, not a full range of Tones but perhaps useful to some -

Test Tones (20-20khz)

Here are additional Test Tones from Steve Meade Designs -

Test Tones and Tuning Tutorial - All New Links, Again!

Apparently GENELEC has some Test Tones you can down load -

Audio Test Signals | Genelec.com

Most of the Test Tones I'm finding seem to focus on Bass Frequencies. I think today with Test Tone Apps and Test Tone Computer Software being available, downloading Test Tones seems to have fallen out of favor.

Though it requires you to be On-Line, here is a Tone Generator -

Online Tone Generator - generate pure tones of any frequency

As mentioned, there are Audio Test CDs available from Amazon -

Amazon.com: test tones: Digital Music

If you are a logged in member, SoundSnap has pages and pages of assorted Test Tones -

Test tone Sounds | Download Test tone Sound Effects


Here is another source of Free Downloadable Test Tones from Band Camp - - The Boogie Man -

Audio Calibration Test Tones, by The Boogeymen

NOISE -

You hear a lot of references to noise, though as a audio person you will most often encounter PINK Noise and WHITE Noise, these are explained here -

Noise Colours

Wikipedia has further explanations of Audio Noise.

Pink noise - Wikipedia

White noise - Wikipedia

Brownian noise - Wikipedia

Grey noise - Wikipedia

Again Pink and White are the only ones you need be concerned with. And PINK functionally is they only type you are likely to deal with in testing audio equipment.


Steve/bluewizard
 
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