Anyone compared Sonarworks Speaker with ARC 2 ?

Anyone compared Sonarworks Speaker with ARC 2 for room correction?  Curious as to what people think.  Might have to download the trial from Sonarworks and see what I think compared to ARC 2.  The original ARC seems to take a bit of a beating on here.  I've been fairly happy with ARC2, but I tried to fix things with treatment first and I also did a fairly extensive set of measurements - 14 points.  The measurements reflected what I expected - a large bass correction was needed in my right monitor (it's only about 6 inches off the wall at the corner), which I can't help given my space constraints (space is FAR from cheap in SF these days!!!).
 
Let me know if you've compared, please.  Thanks.

Thanks all.  I downloaded the trial last night - both the speaker and the phones version (they supposedly have just done the KRK KNS-8400 phones which I have).  I got through a quick measurement using the mic from my ARC2 kit (30 spots)  nice and easy.  I was really impressed with them 'finding the mic' and not having to worry about exact positioning - nice!
When I went to check my results it looks like the plugin wasn't installed.  It was getting late at that point though so I quit there.  I'll try re-installing and contact them if that doesn't fix it.  I assume the plugin is still supposed to be installed in the trial so you can evaluate the results, right?  The trial would be a bit pointless otherwise.

Thanks RT55.  Yeah, the measurement software installed just fine (I was able to make measurements), but not the VST.  It may have been because I ran the headphone SW installer after I ran the Speaker SW installer.  So I'll rerun just the Speaker SW tonight and if that doesn't work I'll contact them.
 
Cheers!
 

It sounds like that would be the best bet. Maybe a corrupt download.

I think the name of the headphone plugin is: Reference3.dll
 
you might want to search your drive for it and make sure it was put in the correct place so the scan can find it.

rtucker55
I think the name of the headphone plugin is: Reference3.dll
 
you might want to search your drive for it and make sure it was put in the correct place so the scan can find it.

Hi rtucker55.  Is that the 32 or 64 bit?  64 is usually listed as part of the name.  I can just use a wildcard in the search and that should get it.  Thanks!

Yes, contact Karl.
I had a similar problem. Can't remember exactly what the issue was but he had to deactivate the previous registration and issue a new one.

Hi friends .... I wonder if sonarworks guyz ha noticed more latency than arc ... I read somewhere that it was the case ...since it s supposed to be used even at the production stage , this is something that botherscme before making the jump ....arc 2 user here

I tried the headphones one .... and wasn t that conviced ....i like to keep some listening tools uncaibrated to see how a mix translate ....
 
One more thing that gets on my nerve is the buying system ...i want to try this ans validate it for students but they re already lost ...the fuyz talks "instances" while it seems to be authorisations .... or i don t get it ever .... cause for me instances are possible multiple running software in a session ...of the same product ....
 
I wanted to get a bundle
 
"

The bundle includes:
 

• 1 instance of Sonarworks Reference 3 speaker and room calibrator software (Mac or Win)
• 2 instances of Sonarworks Reference 3 speaker calibration AU, AAX Native, RTAS and VST plug-ins (Mac or Win)
• 3 instances of Sonarworks Reference 3 headphone calibration AU, AAX Native, RTAS and VST plug-ins (Mac or Win)
• Professional measurement microphone with XLR connection and individual calibration

"
I don t even know if i can make a measurement on my desktop and then on my laptop ( to show students how to do it at cours )
 
they should really be simplier and less paranoid ... they loose more costumers than protecting themselve against piracy or some ....
 
I have a desktop , an hp elitebook for on the go pro work and a dell xps for school and quik on the go production ....
While i will be ok with headphone app ... can t see how to do for room calibration on the go ....

Yes, it is Confusing. (Anyone feel free to jump in here and correct me where I'm incorrect. I purchased long ago and I know there have been many updates and the bundles have probably changed since then.)
 
For the speaker software there are 2 components:
1 - The measurement system software - stand alone application
2 - The correction software that uses the file created by the above measurement system - vst,AU used in the DAW
 
1.
The measurement system software license allows use on 1 machine only and they do not allow you to move it unless you purchase another license or you have a serious system failure. They do warn you about this upfront but it will prevent you from measuring more than one system/location unless you purchase another license.
 
I now remember going through this and they recommended that I install it on the portable machine but I did Not want to have to change out audio interfaces/drivers just to measure multiple locations so I purchased another license for the measurement software. Yes, this part could be painful and/or expensive. They did work with me on the price though.
 
2.
They do allow you to use the correction software (vst/AU) on 2 separate machines but I'm not sure why unless both machines were part of the same system driving the exact components that were measured because they do require loading a measurement file created by the above measurement system to make the magic happen.
 
 
In general it is a 1 license per location/machine system but fortunately it does not require a stupid dongle... 
I did find the explanations and pricing confusing but I sent them several emails back and forth and they were Very Good to me. I always receive Top Notch Service from them.
 
If you are looking for a multiple location setup you are really going to have to work with them to get a price for multiple licensing that would not be prohibitive. I can see how this would be frustrating/painful in an educational setting with several students.
 
 
Regarding the Sweet spot:
I don't understand the how or why but, I find that I can now make it larger than I could using my old correction software and it just sounds much better without the hollow, boxy, harsh sound. I still need to stay somewhat centered between the speakers but I do have more wiggle room.
 
One last note: I have a treated room but it is bad dimensional. I have a +6db bump between 125-250Hz that I cannot physically control. This software fixes it, and more, for a Lot less than it would cost to reconstruct the room.  
 
I wish I could help more Zo but that is about the best I can do. Try contacting  rudolfs@sonarworks.com and let him know your situation and hopefully he can help you out.
 
Kind regards,
Rick
 
 

Hey guys.
 
There's a discount code in my thread.
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Sonarworks-headphone-calibration-discount-code-m3349406.aspx
 
Paul

Thks Rick , the problem is "exeption" , they're dealing with professionnals and treating peopl , imho not like so ..... if i buy a product and start to stress because of stupid stuff like that ....it's a bad interaction .....that's all 
 
Us as users , we have to make em  understand this , i remember that a GS thread alone made PA make there stuff right , those guyz understood and moved fast .....
 
 people scared about piracy or just wanna make extra dollar by selling extra licences is a thing , making the whole process a headache is another , just increase the **** prices and make it easy to deal with , with latutide giving to costumers .....