Fun with XTZ (RTA)

[Electrodynamic]

Today I got the opportunity to mess around with the XTZ analyzer in my Lexus. You can read more about the unit here. It's a self-contained RTA and node-finding analyzer which comes in really handy when squeezing every last ounce of potential out of you system. You download the software from XTZ's web site and then you use your computer to power the mic via a supplied USB connection. The signal used to measure with comes from an RCA output jack on the base of the mic. I piped this through my system using the Aux input on my Eclipse 7200.

Now, the bass knob was turned up a little bit, which is why you'll the rise at/around 100 Hz. But dismissing the rise, which I can take care of on the fly, the result was pretty flat. I took care of the minor peaks with the 3sixty.2 after these pics were taken. Come to think of it, I actually did a lot of EQ work after these pics were taken. But you'll get an idea anyway.






These next pics are BIG!! I had the setting wrong on my camera and I don't have a program to re-size them. Sorry.

The software also comes with a waterfall plot and a standard frequency response display for finding nodes in your listening room. In this case, I used it to find out where the SC 400 has issues due to the interior acoustics. The nodes I found were exactly one octave apart (which I expected - nodes can be found in octaves some times) at 31 and 62 Hz. Here are the pics of the two responses:





As you can see, they don't show up on the RTA at all. I actually left 65 Hz alone on the RTA because it was level. But testing for resonances and/or voids, I found that 63 and 31 Hz are heavily affected by the vehicles interior acoustics.

It's just neat to test this kind of stuff and gather information.

[bose301s]

You know you can hit print screen and take a screen shot right, easier than a camera

[Electrodynamic]

Yeah, I do now. Someone on DIYMA just pointed that out. Haha. I'll do that next time. Speaking of which, I'm going to do some more testing today with vehicle nodes. I'll post the results up (using print screen, of course) after I'm done.

[bose301s]

Originally Posted by Electrodynamic

Yeah, I do now. Someone on DIYMA just pointed that out. Haha. I'll do that next time. Speaking of which, I'm going to do some more testing today with vehicle nodes. I'll post the results up (using print screen, of course) after I'm done.

Very cool. How much does that RTA package run, I want something to test my car with.

[Electrodynamic]

$265 directly from them.

[CrazyKenKid]

so what is this exactually?

it is a room analysis? you hook it into your deck, press start on your laptop, move the micr as required. once the results are in set your amp?

[Electrodynamic]

No, it does nothing with your amps or processors. The XTZ analyzer is a measurement tool. It puts pink noise through your system for the RTA and it does tiny frequency sweeps for the room node measurements. All this system does is show you what your system is doing. You are the one that has to make the necessary adjustments in order to get your RTA flat or your room node measurement to look linear.

[bose301s]

I want a measurement tool so I can get flat response in my car and this seems like a nice one, but it isn't cheap.

[CrazyKenKid]

so you are saying that the RTA is like a tuning fork? lol i lamemans terms and yes bose301s it isn't cheap maybe nick well sell us his once he is done with it!! lol for like 250!!

[Electrodynamic]

It beats downloading other software, having to source an extremely linear mic (like the Berhinger) and then having to run it through a mixing board because the mic requires fantom power and then into your laptop. Trust me, it's worth it. I've already been down those other roads.

And the icing on the cake with this analyzer is that it measures down to 16 Hz.

The new Mag v4's don't do too bad. An F3 of 16 Hz isn't too shabby.