Combining Virtual Bass Array and Alternative to VBA Pre-filters

[Ecwl]

Thanks Uli for the track recommendations.
On a slightly related but different topic, as whitesilo pointed out some of us prefer a lower FDW for the high frequency in macro 1 as sonically it seems to preserve the soundstage depth more.
Well, another thing I have found is that sometimes if I just raise the entire correction target by 2-3dB in macro 2 and simply accept slightly less correction for the troughs, I get more soundstage depth without any significant sacrifice to the overall correction sonically even if the IACC and step response look worse. Obviously, one can over do this to a point where there is insufficient correction. Of course, if I raised the target by 2dB, I would have to lower my preamp volume by 2dB for a fair comparison.

Now i have read online elsewhere that people think 2-3dB (or even 6dB) correction/change in overall volume level/gain would not lead to any audible difference if you’re going to compensate it with your preamp because the correction difference is at the 24-bit depth level. Scientifically it doesn’t make any sense to me and I still can’t wrap my head around what I’m hearing. But at least in my system, I definitely notice a difference in soundstage depth (only) when the overall correction level/gain is adjusted up and down. I guess people’s mileage might vary.

[UliBru]

It is IMO difficult to discuss this topic. The result can be quite different with different setups.
But we can also speculate a bit. When the target is lifted the amplifier/s must boost less for dip correction. Especially in the low frequency region.
You can try measurements with different correction filters applied in the logsweep recorder (Save multiway WAV + selection of Cor filters) and check if you get different results. This also includes resulting harmonic distortions.

[Ecwl]

Okay. Thank, Uli. I just wanted to make sure I’m not imagining what I’m hearing. I guess it’s a system-dependency thing. Moreover, I obviously cannot just keep raising the correction target level just for soundstage depth alone because under correction would create all sorts of sonic problems too.
I don’t know at this time if I’m dedicated enough to actually want to do multiple sweeps of the different correction filters to get a more definitive scientific answer (even if I’m somewhat curious). Deep down, I think maybe I’m being a bit obsessive compulsive with the convolution filter tweaking. As I can easily live with most of the filters I’ve been optimizing.