Main Speakers or Sub when calibrating SPL Reading? Dumb Noob Question

[amusong]

New user of this fantastic software, setting up my recording studio and have been playing with REW. Have printed out and bound the Help manual and have it here beside me, well thumbed. Looked at a lot of online resources and searched this site. Nowhere can I find the answer to this question.

When calibrating SPL (p29 in the manual) there is the choice to use either "speaker cal signal or "subwoofer cal signal". I don't understand this choice. I am using a Motu M2 interface through my studio monitors, a pair of Adam A5's played via an Adam Sub 7, all powered speakers. The M2 interface sends its speaker outputs to the Sub 7 which then divides the signal up using the crossover, sending some to the A5's and some to the Sub 7.

Under that speaker arrangement i have neither a pure sub signal nor a pure main speaker signal. What should I do? Which should I select. Is it required that I disconnect the Sub 7 from the A5's and just use on or the other? Should I even disconnect the A5 pair so that only one A5 is playing?

This simple question is screwing me up as it seems so basic but I can't figure it out. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[John Mulcahy]

The test signal is chosen according to what is available to play it. A speaker cal signal will be more stable so if the signal gets to a speaker, through whatever route, use that. You don't need to disconnect anything. All REW needs is a signal whose level can be measured and compared to an SPL meter reading.

 

[amusong]

Thanks John
I'll just select "main speakers" and continue to use the A5 pair with the Sub 7.
Great software - what a public spirited person you are!

 

[Anatoliy Gavrilov]

All REW needs is a signal whose level can be measured and compared to an SPL meter reading.

John, and the SPL meter measures especially accurately at a frequency of 1 kHz. Therefore, to calibrate REW, one A5 speaker must be included, without subwoofers.

 

[rattus]

I have a similar setup with ADAM Sub 8 and EVE SC205. If you want to test sub or mains separately, just turn the volume down on the other one.