Intro

One of the most significant improvements you can make to your audio system is calibration. This is because every system operates in a different environment, and therefore, sounds different in every space. Audio calibration allows you to tailor the sound to suit a specific setting to get the best sounding system. We explain this in detail in our article “What is Room Equalisation (EQ) and Why Should You Care?.”

To measure the sound, a calibrated microphone should be used to ensure accurate measurements of the audio system. Without using a calibrated microphone, it becomes impossible to determine if the measurements are a true representation of the sound. By having accurate measurements, you can fine-tune the settings of your speakers and audio processor, thus optimizing the sound quality for your specific listening environment.

For most people the UMIK-1 by MiniDSP is the go to for consumer calibrated microphones. With its great performance, affordable price, and widespread compatibility, it is often used by home audio enthusiasts and professionals to get accurate sound measurements. For those looking to get a slightly better performance, the UMIK-2 is a good option. Check out our article “Umik-1 vs Umik-2: Which USB Microphone is Better for Home Theater?” to see a detailed comparison and decide which is right for you.

If you have been following us for a while you know that here at Simple Home Cinema we are passionate about both video and audio calibration because it is the best way to maximize your investment and get the best out of your equipment. While you can hire an experienced calibrator, it is still a great idea to learn the basics and do regular touch-ups yourself, as this can save you time and lots of money in the long run. It can also be very rewarding to learn such a skill.

This why we have created several comprehensive guides to help teach and guide you through audio calibration; check out our guides in the cards below:

What Are Calibrated Microphones?

At its core, a calibrated microphone is a type of microphone that has undergone testing and calibration processes to ensure its accuracy in sound measurement. Unlike standard microphones used for casual recording or communication, calibrated microphones are designed to provide precise and consistent results across different frequency ranges and sound pressure levels.

The calibration process of the microphone involves exposing it to controlled sound sources with known sound pressure levels and frequencies. By comparing the microphone’s output to the actual sound pressure levels, the calibration process can derive correction factors for the microphone’s response. These correction factors are stored in the microphone or provided in a calibration certificate.

They often come with a unique calibration file or an electronic chip that adjusts the microphone’s output to account for any deviations or inaccuracies in its response. This way, users can apply the calibration data to their sound measurements and obtain more precise results.

Why Use a Calibrated Microphone?

Using a calibrated microphone is crucial for obtaining accurate measurements. It guarantees a true representation of the sound, capturing its exact characteristics. On the other hand, utilizing any old, uncalibrated microphone would yield unreliable results, potentially leading to erroneous equalization or correction applied to the audio system. In such cases, rather than enhancing performance, these adjustments could have do the exact opposite.

USB Microphones

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Audyssey Mics

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XLR Microphones

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In Conclusion

Audio calibration can offer one of the most satisfying enhancements to your system, as it allows you to customize the sound precisely to your preferences. In the industry, it is often said that even less expensive speakers can sound significantly better when properly calibrated, compared to more expensive speakers placed in the same room without calibration. In the world of home theater, understanding how to adjust the sound of your system can elevate it to a whole new level.

This is why we have created our audio guides here at Simple Home Cinema; to assist you through the audio calibration process, while helping you understand the sound of your room and how to enhance the sound to achieve its full potential.