06-Nov-2015, 21:32
The current update as per previous updates has often elicited various comments about the change to sound quality and to the behaviour of the Spark volume control.
The latest update has found me with the time and inclination to perform some simple measurements.
I hope they prove useful and provoke discussion but, hopefully, not argument. They are, after all, based on my devices, positioned in my environment were they are located for normal listening.
Measurements made via Room EQ Wizard (REW V5.12) with a 256k log sweep from 15Hz to 20,000 Hz at -12 dB.
A UMIK-1 mic, with its’ 90 degree calibration file, was used pointed directly at a single Phantom at a distance of 30cms.
The attached images show the SPL responses for the measured frequency range with variable smoothing applied.
Image 1
Measurements for each Spark volume setting from 35 to 60, in 5 unit intervals, were made for the pre and post Dialog/Phantom 1.4.1.12 update.
Each pair of measurements were very similar to each other but, for clarity, only three are shown.
[attachment=747]
Image 2
Measurements for each Spark volume setting from 35 to 60, in 5 unit intervals, were made for the post Dialog/Phantom 1.4.1.12 update.
It can be seen that the Spark volume units can be considered to be decibels and that the scale is linear, at least from Spark volume 35 – 60.
[attachment=748]
Image 3
Measurements for Spark volume setting 50 were made with/without Night mode engaged.
[attachment=749]
Image 4
Measurements for Spark volume setting 50 were made with/without Night mode engaged.
Experimentation with various high pass filters indicates something close to a Butterworth 6dB/octave with cut off frequency of 45Hz filter is a close match.
[attachment=750]
Image 5
Measurement for Spark volume setting 50 was made with the mic at the main listening position.
This shows a more accurate representation of the Phantoms’ bass capability and how the high frequencies are ameliorated.
[attachment=751]
The latest update has found me with the time and inclination to perform some simple measurements.
I hope they prove useful and provoke discussion but, hopefully, not argument. They are, after all, based on my devices, positioned in my environment were they are located for normal listening.
Measurements made via Room EQ Wizard (REW V5.12) with a 256k log sweep from 15Hz to 20,000 Hz at -12 dB.
A UMIK-1 mic, with its’ 90 degree calibration file, was used pointed directly at a single Phantom at a distance of 30cms.
The attached images show the SPL responses for the measured frequency range with variable smoothing applied.
Image 1
Measurements for each Spark volume setting from 35 to 60, in 5 unit intervals, were made for the pre and post Dialog/Phantom 1.4.1.12 update.
Each pair of measurements were very similar to each other but, for clarity, only three are shown.
[attachment=747]
Image 2
Measurements for each Spark volume setting from 35 to 60, in 5 unit intervals, were made for the post Dialog/Phantom 1.4.1.12 update.
It can be seen that the Spark volume units can be considered to be decibels and that the scale is linear, at least from Spark volume 35 – 60.
[attachment=748]
Image 3
Measurements for Spark volume setting 50 were made with/without Night mode engaged.
[attachment=749]
Image 4
Measurements for Spark volume setting 50 were made with/without Night mode engaged.
Experimentation with various high pass filters indicates something close to a Butterworth 6dB/octave with cut off frequency of 45Hz filter is a close match.
[attachment=750]
Image 5
Measurement for Spark volume setting 50 was made with the mic at the main listening position.
This shows a more accurate representation of the Phantoms’ bass capability and how the high frequencies are ameliorated.
[attachment=751]
