We are proud to present our interview with Todd Welti, Distinguished Engineer at Harman International Inc., and the author of the whitepaper, Subwoofers: Optimum Number and Locations, which is the primary topic of our discussion today. We hear about Todd’s background, and his current setup at home. Then we dig into Todd’s subwoofer research, getting clarification about audience location, subwoofer locations, time alignment, and level matching. We tackle notions about Full Range speakers, “stereo bass”, and crossovers.

Then we expand our discussion to tackle non-rectangular and open rooms. Various ways of addressing such rooms, including CABS, the Geddes approach, and Sound Field Management. That leads to some discussion of ARCOS. And some final, practical simplifications and clarifications before finishing up with some of Todd’s more recent research and modelling of a large number of different rooms and subwoofer and seating locations.

Our thanks to AVRant Listener Joe K. for putting us in touch with Todd. And a huge thank you to Todd for being so generous with his time, and for presenting so much amazing information!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

A slightly shorter episode this week. But we have good news! On Monday, we will post an interview with Todd Welti from Harman in which we deep dive into multiple subwoofer optimization. We’re really happy with the discussion we had, so definitely look forward to that!

Our Listeners of the Week are Jeffrey for his PayPal donation, plus our 124 Patreon Patrons, as well as Kamran and George for both talking us up to SVS. Speaking of SVS, Nick Brown was kind enough to send Rob a pair of 13-Ultra to 4000 Series amplifier upgrade kits ( https://www.svsound.com/products/svs-13-ultra-amplifier-upgrade-kit ). And we also want to thank Curt and Chris for giving Tom permission to use their photos on https://avgadgets.com/ , and Steve W., Curt, Nathan, and Steve B. for their notes of gratitude to us for keeping the podcast going. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

Pictures shown in this episode:
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmTPHg9S

In the news:

– KEF announced their space-saving, dual-opposed Uni-Core driver design: https://is.gd/ERxVxD

– Netflix will spend $19 billion on content in 2021 with at least one new movie every week: https://is.gd/FHaOBe

Comments:

– J.R. shared pics of his new Surround Back positioning using VideoSecu stands: https://is.gd/t7Mlf7

– Gurinder shared pics of his seating riser made from shipping pallets.

– Chris H. says his sister loves the Revel M8 speakers.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Another week, another intro of ours that immediately fails the test of time just a couple days after recording it. There won’t be a special second episode this week. Glad we didn’t make any promises!

Our Listeners of the Week are Brian, Julian, Lee, and Dale for their donations, plus our 125 Patreon Patrons, as well as Jaremy, Mario, and David for sending photos to Tom to potentially use on https://avgadgets.com/ . We also appreciate the notes of gratitude for keeping the podcast going from Jack, Terry, Patrick, Brian, Dave, Jason, and Dale. Thanks to everyone for continuing to listen!

Pictures shown in this episode:
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmTFwzXt

In the news:

– Netflix is leaving the Nintendo Wii U! Can they survive? https://is.gd/llDz6m

– CES 2021

– 0:12:47 Onkyo & Pioneer announced new Receivers: https://is.gd/NkyC4K

– 0:13:20 LG gives QNED MiniLED model numbers: https://is.gd/sX1q2x
– https://avgadgets.com/what-is-a-qned-tv/
– WebOS 6.0 is full screen: https://is.gd/BIPk5g
– And the new Magic Remote has NFC: https://is.gd/8F3n04

– 0:14:32 Samsung’s mini-LED backlit LCDs are called Neo QLED: https://avgadgets.com/samsung-introduces-neo-qled/
– And they’ve got a solar-powered remote: https://avgadgets.com/samsung-announces-solar-powered-remotes/

– 0:15:43 LG G1 Series uses brighter OLED evo panels: https://is.gd/MqSFmq
– New A1 Series OLEDs are cheaper and 60Hz only: https://is.gd/V4oSFN
– Smaller OLEDs are coming: https://is.gd/1tqDuB

– 0:17:27 TCL keeps the 4K R635 Series around, because the new 6-Series is 8K. And they’ve got XL 85″ and OD Zero panels on the way: https://is.gd/PL3xDA

– 0:18:25 Sony A90J Master Series OLED brings extra brightness to a new 83″ size. And they hype up Bravia XR with Cognitive Processor XR: https://is.gd/etwvsH
– 0:20:23 Also, Sony Core is a new, high bitrate streaming service exclusive to Bravia XR TVs: https://is.gd/YY0nvi

Comments:

– 0:22:12 Andrew L. shared pics of his Enterprise (from Star Trek Discovery) model.

– Jason S. credits his wife for their theater’s looks, thanks us for our analysis, and confirms where absorption panels should go.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Please note: this episode was recorded Tues, Jan 5, prior to the week’s events. There was no intention on our part to make light of anything that has happened since, which had not occurred at the time of recording. We also recorded prior to almost all of the early CES 2021 announcements. So some information in this episode is already incorrect and out of date.

Our Listeners of the Week are our 126 Patreon Patrons, including James W., as well as Chris, David & Victor for sending Tom photos with permission to use them on https://avgadgets.com/ , and David for giving us a shout out over at Outlaw Audio, and Cory for talking us up to Accessories4Less. We also want to thank Mike, Lee, NAthan, Joseph, and David for their notes of gratitude to us for keeping the podcast going. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmTvBwxK

In the News:

 – Roku might buy Quibi’s content: https://is.gd/5rjSfc

– Via Dazz – Power Sound Audio has pre-orders for their first 12-inch subwoofer, the S2410: https://is.gd/8u5FcD

– SVS has a $400 upgrade kit for 13-Ultra Series subs: https://is.gd/ya8pCh

Comments:

– Gurinder shares updates on panels, velvet, and 3D glasses.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Our Listeners of the Week are Bob and Jason for their PayPal donations, plus our 127 Patreon Patrons, as well as Bob for talking us up to SVS and encouraging anybody we save time and money to donate to the podcast, and Victor and Jason for giving Tom permission to use their photos over at https://avgadgets.com/ . We also appreciates the notes of gratitude for keeping the podcast going from Chris, Gurinder, Bob, Karl, Julian, Dazz, PyroBuilder, and Jason. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

Pictures shown in this episode:
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmTgcWt6

0:05:39 Tom shares his Oculus Quest 2 impressions.

In the news:

– Vizio launched their 85-inch P-Series Quantum X TV: https://is.gd/tXNTL3
– And Walmart has the 1st batch at the best price: https://avgadgets.com/deal-alert-85-vizio-p-series-for-3k/

– Lots of CES 2021 rumors: https://is.gd/9Fnvu6

– 0:20:37 LG announced new flagship “QNED MiniLED” LCD TVs that twist a different display technology’s acronym that requires explanation: https://is.gd/dxkoa7

Comments:

– 0:23:20 Mario clarifies how to run an in-wall power extension cord.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS