First analysis with Rew [Data Analysis Help Needed]

[enzima]

I made my first measurements with Rew and I'm curious about my data.
I tested my Focal Alpha 50 (nearfield) speakers in the listening position and they give me a headache. My head hurts when I listen for a short time and even at low volume (I've never had problems with headphones and other audio systems. These are my first studio monitors).

The Listening Position
My room is 472 x 380 cm.

Listening Position Check
(Data attached in this post)

Analyzing with Rew in the listening position I see that there is an imbalance between the right and the left signal. This is predictable because I am in a corner of the room. I used a Behringer ECM8000 + Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Soundcard.

Controller Environment Check
I also checked the frequency response in a controlled environment to exclude any speaker construction problems and the data was excellent.

My doubts
Now, my question is: how can I make the sound less "weird" and more precise while remaining more or less in the same position?

Many thanks for your help,
Alex.

 

[EarlK]

I looked at your measurements ( and if they are to be believed ) I'd also get ear-fatigue when listening to those monitors.

Specifically, they have an elevated presence range accompanied by ( what I consider to be ) excessive distortion within that very same range.

I'd return them for a credit on account .

 

[Sonnie]

You need to set your mic up at the listening position about where your head would be located, then run the measurement sweep in REW.

I can't tell where your main listening position is in comparison to the speakers.

Your measurement window settings are not correct. Probably best to start here... https://www.avnirvana.com/resources/getting-started-with-rew-a-step-by-step-guide.19/

 

[Jack1949]

You need to set your mic up at the listening position about where your head would be located, then run the measurement sweep in REW.

I can't tell where your main listening position is in comparison to the speakers.

Your measurement window settings are not correct. Probably best to start here... https://www.avnirvana.com/resources/getting-started-with-rew-a-step-by-step-guide.19/

FYI -- The (June 3, 2017) guide in that link is out of date. AustinJerry keeps the latest version of the guide (March 15, 2019) on dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/s/zdhq72a1puyyxpr/REW 101 HTS Current Version.pdf?dl=0

 

[Sonnie]

Hmmm... surprised he hasn't let us know, as he knows we are hosting it here for easy access to our members.

I'll get it updated as soon as I get a few minutes.

 

[enzima]

Thanks for your replies.

@EarlK Measuring these studio monitors individually and in a controlled environment, they turned out to be fairly linear and balanced.
So I think the problem is related to the room in which these monitors are placed.

@Sonnie Thanks for the suggestion, in the attached file my mic is placed at the exact listening position.
Could you please specify what's wrong when you say "Your measurement window settings are not correct"

 

[Sonnie]

Set you frequency axis to logarithmic scaling...

Then set your graph limits as follows...

Your measurement results should look like this... although you need to turn up the volume so the sweep is running at about 75db...

This would tend to probably be a bit harsh/bright, which is why it is fatiguing to you. It is possible to experiment with the toe-in and possibly lower the top end some... short of equalization, not much you can do. The response is not that terrible overall, just too hot at the high-end. Smoothing both speakers out and getting them frequency matched would no doubt sound better. If you could roll it off 10-15db from about 1.5kHz on out to 22... it should improve the sound... as would bumping up the low end a bit. Here is a typical response in my room that is favored by many who have heard various speakers in my room...