I have a new demonstration pair of the superb Dutch&Dutch 8C loudspeakers, I thought I would just illustrate the set up process, the 8Cs are extremely configurable allowing you to choose the sound you enjoy, despite their versatility the actual set-up process is straightforward.
For those unfamiliar with the D&D8C they are full range, constant directivity, three way active loudspeakers which have a cardioid response through their midrange.
They happen to one of the finest measuring and thus finest sounding loudspeakers currently available.
Because they are completely full-range their low bass extension can excite room modes (boomy or one note bass) fortunately the 8Cs have built in parametric EQ and sophisticated tone controls and are integrated with the fabulous REW (room eq wizard ) measurement software.
First step is to connect each 8C to the mains and each to your local network, RJ45 connection on the rear of each loudspeaker.
Then download the D&D 'Ascend' app, from multiple sources including Apple's app store.
The Ascend app prompted me to download the latest version of firmware.
Opening page has volume (mute) and track selection, which input has been selected and access to 'plug-ins', room matching and voicing ( tone controls) there is a small cogwheel in
the top right corner.. which takes you to 'room settings' here you can tailor the various inputs
XLR which in analogue has two gain settings, AES/XLR digital input , (the XLR connector can be either digital or analogue), Roon Ready and Spotify connect.
You can add and adjust any number of presets, for example adding bit more bass for lower level night time listening, adjust the room matching parameters, adjust phase, everything essentially including turning the front LED on and off.
Next we need to input the physical parameters of the speakers, where they are in relation to the front and side walls, we select 'room matching' in this example 'profile 1'.
First is boundary settings where you input distances from front and side walls for each speaker then,' listening triangle' where you input the distance between speakers and the distance each speaker is away from your listening position, for perfect balance.
Next to 'change filters'.
I mentioned earlier that the 8Cs are REW integrated, which means that when you open REW's 'settings' in the 'equaliser' pane you can choose Dutch&Dutch 8c.
You can see that REW sees both 8cs volume levels are preset, you just choose which of the pair to measure first and press 'Start'.
Once the filters have been added they will appear in the 'Room EQ' window, you can adjust, add. enable/disable the filters from here.
There is an 'REW how to' amongst my other Blogs, once you have made the measurement you can ask REW to create the requisite filters, frequency of the peak, the amount of negative gain and the 'Q' the width of the curve.
Finally , you select a speaker and press 'send filters to room profile and the filters are sent automatically to the correct speaker, no more inputting parameters by hand oh no!
REW's filters tend to be on the pernicious side, so you must then listen to all sorts of music particularly those with low bass content, you want the low bass but you don't want to hear any overhang any race of resonance, so listen adjust until you are happy.
You can then fine tune the SQ with the 8Cs 'voicing' option, want more /less treble you can
have it more midrange less bass everything is adjustable until you have the sound that suits you.
The 8c and the other contemporary actives we represent are really perfect for listeners who just want to listen to the very highest quality reproduction possible, with the least amount of fuss.
They are simply superb.