Listening Tests; Reference Material; Pink Noise - Dynaudio Core Series User Manual

Listening tests

Once you have your monitors properly positioned, it's time to start listening to them. Subjective listening tests can
be made with reference material that you are familiar with; a favourite album, movie or other recording. Objective
tests can be made simply with a smartphone app or a more sophisticated acoustic measurement system.

Reference material

Play some recorded material that you are familiar with through the monitors to see if the sound is how you
expected. Adjust the tilt filters in both directions to hear the different tonalities. It is also suggested that you listen to
material you know actually sounds bad or has defects in the recordings. A truly neutral monitor will reveal these
defects clearly.
A good monitor delivers accurate representation of the sound whether this happens to be good or bad, so that
informed mix decisions can be made. Adjust the tilt filter to the setting you are most comfortable with.

Pink noise

For an objective test of the monitor's response, you will need a metering system. This consists of a device that
can measure the spectral output of the monitor in real-time and a source of pink noise that can be played back
through the monitors. Pink noise is a balanced level of noise across the entire spectrum. When played back
through a proper monitoring system, an RTA should show a flat response in the room.
▪ RTA Spectral Analyser
▪ Pink Noise Source
We have created an iOS app with these tools built in so you can quickly test and calibrate your Core monitors
using your iOS device. In the Apple App Store, search for 'Dynaudio Sound Meter' to download this free app.
Play the pink noise from the Dynaudio Sound Meter app and adjust the level to a reasonable playback volume. If
you wish to play pink noise from your computer workstation, a WAV file containing pink noise is available at
dynaudio.com/pinknoise.
Play the pink noise through one monitor at a time at a reasonable level (~80-85 dBA) and place the iPhone or
iPad at the listening position. Change the Sound balance filter setting to see how the response changes the
response curve in the RTA. In the RTA display, the reading should be as even as possible.
If you notice excessive levels in the low frequencies, try setting the Sound Balance filter to "Bright" and check the
results. Or perhaps your monitors are too close to a wall and need the Position 2 switch set to "Wall" or "Corner".
If the spectrum analyser shows a greater degree of high frequencies, set the Sound Balance filter to "Dark" and
check the results. Low frequency response can be greatly affected by boundary walls, soffit mounting, and other
positioning issues. Experiment with the Position 1 and Position 2 settings and see how the RTA reacts. You can
gain valuable insights into the acoustics of your listening room by repeating this process.
Once you have the Position and Sound Balance filters set for the flattest response curve in the RTA, return to your
reference material to see how it sounds. Through this process of objective tests with the RTA and subjective
listening tests with your ears, you will arrive at the best setting for your Core monitors.
22 Core User manual