SAM %

[no32]

i don't understand the % option with SAM. what does it mean and how do i decide how high the % should be? in my default configuration its 35% but how would i choose if to go higher, lower, or keep it as is ?

since there's 100 steps its kind of crazy. at the end of the day ill play it by the ear however i want to understand the logic behind it

what am i missing ?

[Antoine]

Download the 9.0.1 firware package, there's a description in the included manual of what lowering/increasing the sam % does.

To see in detail what it does in your room, with your speakers you'll have to make measurements.

[no32]

I'll do both. Thx
Is there a rule of thumb ?
Btw I can't download new config keep getting error , any idea ?

[Axel]

I'll do both. Thx
Is there a rule of thumb ?
Btw I can't download new config keep getting error , any idea ?

Try using a different browser, this fixed my problem.

[Rodney Gold]

Easy way to set sam % is to play test tones in the low bass at listening level or slightly above.. I have found that at high sam %'s and highish levels you can actually hear the bass limiters kicking in , clucking type sounds, you need to turn the % down till the clucking disappears..
I dont have sam , but have helped set up a few systems with sam and have noticed that 10-20% seems to be the sweet spot for the 3 or so systems I have tried this with. These systems were played quite loud , so if you play soft , the clucking might not be at all "problematic"

[no32]

Interesting , iplay very loud , wish I could play louder ... I did noticed the limiter kicks in ... As for now my fav is 14%.
I'll listen to it for few days . Im not sure I prefer SAM set to On

[flohmann]

I run SAM at 15%. At 100%, it's way too much bass (and not nearly as well integrated with the rest of the sound) on my Magico Q1 speakers. But I clearly prefer the sound with SAM on. My understanding is that you get all the phase alignment benefits, even if SAM is only at 1%.

[Damon]

No32,

If you're on a Mac, I found Safari does not work well with the configurator. You can make a config file, but downloading it is problematic. With Firefox, it works reliably well.

RE: SAM percentage. As I understand it, SAM makes the amp alter its output power, varying with frequency, so that the driver performs closer to its design specification. It provides some compensation for impedance and cabinet characteristics. It works from 159 Hz (?) down. It also has more effect at lower volumes. As you turn up the volume, the effect of SAM compensation decreases so that the speaker is protected from overload.

When I tried the SAM profile on my ProAc Tabletes, I found that it improved the bass, and also cleared up the vocals and midrange sounds, which I thought was very interesting. I settled at about 35%. I believe that a lot of users find that the amount / percentage of SAM they use varies with firmware version as well as their room size and listening volume. I personally found that even set at 0%, it had a positive effect on the sound overall. I'm not sure there is an absolute setting that is 'correct'. If you are usually listening at very loud volume levels, you may find that you are better off with a very low SAM percentage.

If you tell us what loudspeakers you are using, you may find others with the same or similar system who can give you more relevant opinions.

[Jean-Marie]

No32,

If you're on a Mac, I found Safari does not work well with the configurator. You can make a config file, but downloading it is problematic. With Firefox, it works reliably well.
[...]

Actually there is a workaround: instead of asking to download the config file, ask to open it in a new tab and it will download perfectly.
Jean-Marie

[Damon]

Actually there is a workaround: instead of asking to download the config file, ask to open it in a new tab and it will download perfectly.
Jean-Marie

Intersting idea. I'll give it a try in the next few days; I'm thinking of making the big jump from 7.1.1 to 7.1.3!

Thanks JM