Specifications

EAW Smaart 6 Operation Manual Applications

Step 1: Evaluation Listening

Before measuring a sound system, we strongly recommend listening to it! Attempt to

qualitatively answer all the questions on page 84. Activate each subsystem separately,

move around, and assess whether each serves its intended area. Explore the boundaries

of the coverage patterns to look for holes.

Step 2: Identify Potential Problems

Did answering the questions on page 84 reveal obvious problems? For example, since

the hum and buzz caused by ground loops and dirty power can degrade system performance

and pollute measurements, this must be addressed before Smaart 6 testing begins.

Loose and intermittent connections should be fixed. Excessive system hiss can indicate

an error in the gain structure and should be corrected.

Step 3: Select Measurement Points and Mic Positions

Selecting informative measurement points is an essential part of the setup process.

There are electrical and acoustical measurement points.

• Electrical measurement points connect to the input and/or output of one or

more pieces of equipment. The input for such a measurement should be at the

first device in the signal chain and the output of the last.

• Acoustical measurements are made with a microphone. When making Fre-

quency Response measurements with a microphone, a reference signal is also

required. The reference signal should be connected to the input of the amplifier

for the speaker system, the input of the processor (if it is a processed system),

or at the input of the system’s equalizer.

For the acoustical measurements, microphone selection and placement are critical. The

microphone itself must be a known quantity. In general we recommend purchasing the

highest quality omnidirectional condenser microphone with the flattest frequency response

that fits within your equipment budget.

Consider these questions when selecting the microphone position:

• Why is this a useful place to make a measurement?

• What other things will the microphone pick up at this location that might affect

the measurement?

Reflections into the side or back of a measurement microphone can seriously reduce the

accuracy of a measurement. Look around for surfaces that might reflect sound into the

mic, such as hard walls or floors. Placing a microphone too near to a reflective surface

can result in short reflections that cause comb filtering.