Single or multiple measurements

Summary

• Introduction: why measurement strategy matters
• Single or multiple measurements?
  • Single measurement
  • Multiple measurements
  • Multiple measurements for performance (single preset)
  • Multiple measurements for function (multiple presets)
• Multiple acoustic measurements: principles and best practices
• Measurements in the Wizard
  • Step 1: choose single or multiple measurements
  • Step 2A: single measurement workflow
  • Step 2B: multiple measurement workflow
• Final thoughts
• Notes on other measurement types

Introduction: why measurement strategy matters

During calibration, acoustic measurements are the only information the Optimizer has to understand how your loudspeakers interact with the room.

The number of measurements you take, and how you use them, has a direct impact on:

• The listening area being optimized
• The robustness of the correction
• The clarity and predictability of the result
• The number of presets your system can efficiently store
• The workflow and time required during calibration

 

 

Single or multiple measurements?

Single measurement

A single measurement consists of performing one acoustic capture, typically at the Reference Seating Position (RSP), and using it as the sole basis for optimization.

This approach presents several advantages:

• It is the fastest calibration method
• Filter computation is lighter, as less acoustic data must be processed. This allows the unit to store more presets within a given memory footprint
• It works particularly well for nearfield monitoring and single-listener systems
• Acoustic graphs are easier to read and interpret
• The correction is fully optimized for that exact position, without compromise

However, it also has limitations:

• The optimization can become over-specific to a very narrow listening point
• This is especially true at high frequencies, where wavelengths are extremely short
• Small head movements can therefore result in audible variations

 

Multiple measurements

Example of a multiple measurement layout for large mixing environments

Multiple measurements consist of capturing acoustic data at several locations within the room.

This approach serves two distinct purposes, which must be clearly differentiated:

1. Optimizing a wider listening area within a single preset
2. Creating different presets optimized for different listening positions or functions

This distinction is important as it does not imply the same microphone placement logic.

 

 

Multiple measurements for performance (single preset)

In this scenario, multiple measurements are used together to compute one single preset.

The goal is to:

• Optimize a listening area, not a single point
• Improve robustness across small position changes
• Deliver consistent results for multi-seat rooms

This is the recommended method for most home theaters and multi-listener environments.

 

Advantages of multiple acoustic measurements

Using multiple measurement points allows the Optimizer to capture how the acoustic response varies across a listening area, rather than locking the correction to a single spatial condition. 

This leads to:

• A more stable perceived tonal balance across the listening area, as the correction is not tied to one specific pressure peak or null.
• Corrections that are less position-dependent, avoiding solutions that sound excellent at one point but degrade quickly a few tens of centimeters away.
• Greater tolerance to real-world listening conditions, where listeners rarely remain perfectly fixed at the reference position.

 

Trade-offs and limitations

Because the Optimizer must reconcile measurements that are acoustically different, multiple measurements introduce unavoidable compromises:

• Less position-specific optimization, especially in the high frequencies where spatial variations are large and cannot be corrected simultaneously.
• Smoother but less “surgical” corrections, as filters must remain valid across multiple positions instead of aggressively targeting one.
• Increased computational load, since more acoustic data is processed, resulting in:
  • longer filter calculation times,
  • larger preset memory usage.
• More complex graph interpretation, as responses represent spatially weighted behavior rather than a single, clearly defined measurement point.

 

 

Multiple measurements for function (multiple presets)

Multiple measurements can also be used to serve different listening purposes, not just a wider area.

Mixer + Producer measurements

A typical example is a room with:

• A mixing or producer position
• A listening or audience position

These positions can be radically different in terms of acoustics, distance, and intent.

There are two possible strategies:

Strategy 1: combine positions into one preset

All measurements (e.g. listening + producer positions) are used together to compute a single preset.

• This can improve comfort at a secondary position while it is being used
• But it inevitably compromises the primary position
• This approach is rarely ideal for critical work
  
  

Strategy 2: create dedicated presets (recommended)

Measurements are grouped and computed into separate presets, each optimized for its intended function.

For example:

• A Producer preset, optimized strictly for the producer position
• A Listening preset, optimized for the audience area

This approach preserves accuracy, intent, and repeatability, and is strongly recommended whenever distinct use cases coexist.

 

Multiple acoustic measurements: principles and best practices

When performing multiple acoustic measurements, microphone orientation toward the center of the front stage is only critical for the reference measurement, taken at the Reference Seating Position (RSP).

For additional measurements, the following principles apply.

• Measurements are not seat-specific
  The Optimizer does not necessarily correct individual seats.
  Multiple measurements are used to characterize and optimize a listening area, not always precise seating positions.

• Cover the listening area intelligently
  Measurement points should be distributed to represent the listening area as a whole, following consistent rules rather than strict seat placement.

• Introduce acoustic diversity
  The goal of multiple measurements is to capture acoustically different data that helps the algorithm converge on a robust solution. Seek different information, not repetition.
  Vary microphone height across measurement rows.
  Vary distance from the front speakers between measurements.

• Avoid extreme or unrepresentative positions
  Measurement points that are too different from the main listening area,  such as positions very close to walls, near the ceiling, or far outside the listening zone, should generally be avoided.
  Unless intentionally de-emphasized using Trinnov’s measurement weighting system , such positions may negatively affect the overall result.

• Recommended number of measurements
  In most rooms, 3 to 5 measurements, including the RSP, provide optimal results.

 

 

Measurements in the Wizard

The measurement workflow spans two screens in the calibration wizard.

Step 1: choose single or multiple measurements

Based on the concepts described above, the wizard first asks whether you want to perform:

• A single measurement
  Or multiple measurements

This choice directly affects the next screen.

 

Step 2A: single measurement workflow

If Single Measurement is selected:

• The wizard reminds you of the Reference Seating Position
• The measurement process proceeds directly from that position

This workflow is intentionally streamlined.

 

Step 2B: multiple measurement workflow

If Multiple Measurements is selected, the wizard allows you to declare, configure, and name measurement points.

Altitude

On Altitude, measurement configuration is fully custom:

• Add or delete measurement points
• Rename each point
• Choose which measurement is used as the reference for:
  • Time alignment
  • Level alignment
  • Remapping

This flexibility supports both performance-based and function-based calibration strategies.

 

NOVA

On NOVA, you can choose between:

• A custom configuration
• Or a preconfigured measurement layout, selected from the drop-down menu at the top of the screen

This approach simplifies setup while still allowing meaningful control over the measurement strategy.

 

Final thoughts

Choosing between single and multiple measurements is not about right or wrong, it is about intent.

• Single measurements favor speed, precision, and simplicity
• Multiple measurements favor robustness, coverage, and flexibility
• Separating performance optimization from functional presets is often the key to achieving both

Understanding these principles allows you to make informed decisions — and to fully exploit the capabilities of the Trinnov Optimizer.

Notes on other measurement types