REVIEW: Sonarworks Reference 4 for Studio Speakers

Review video about my thoughts of the Sonarworks Reference 4 software, including how to measure using their measurement microphone, a before and after comparison and some critical notes. Check more about Sonarworks over here:

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[RealHomeRecording]

This is by far your best review. You actually read the manual, did some research and didn't rush through the process. Well done!

[Tunemood]

I love what Sonarworks has done for my studio, hands down the best thing ever, supper easy to set up and it really works!

[austinleebusta]

You make really good content. Even the little edits that you do keep me listening.

[philhumphreys]

Great review, been using since version 3. Two things... I'm sure they may have been mentioned already, you can (and should) use a stand, you just need a suitable clip and a sturdy stand with a good boom arm, far less straining on your arm and probably quicker.

Second thing, not sure if you were pointing the mic straight ahead during all your measurements, the idea is (and shows in the software) to point the mic at the centre of your speakers, the mic get's a better idea of room reflections from each speaker that way - crazy spooky science stuff but it really does work.

The software picked up a 0.6dB difference in my speakers outputs too (both run at full volume), a pretty well known producer mentioned to me 6 months before I got sonarworks that he notcied my guitars leaned a little in certain mixes, I would never have guessed it was a volume difference in speakers.

Haven't upgraded to 4 yet but the zero latency is tempting. I use full linear mode for mixing, it's a cpu hog but so worth it. Subbed and bell'd, good channel!

[treehann]

This video ended up convincing me to get the product and it worked really well! I had just treated my room with foam but I noticed even more of a difference after running this software. It really does make an audible difference and smoothed out my bass.

[IMAWriterRobJ]

I've just installed the latest version (4.2.1.7). What you say about the all important calibration procedures is correct. It is most important to keep the mic as close to consistently at ear level as possible. Excellent video, and we all appreciate the hard work...especially the music comparisons (SW on/off.)

[GrantStinnett]

This is great! I was shocked when you played the A/B example of on and off. I didn’t expect the stereo field to be so much effected.

[ggkan]

Well after i fully treatment my room (as possible) I had issue with frequency around 140-150 hz .
With sonaworks it completly make my sound flat and was hearing for the first time a warm and powerful bass.
Also comparing my previous mixes, now i have waaay better especially in my low ends.

[Aleks.n]

I very like how this software affects on my headphones. I have a pretty bright headphones and they have a little dip in a middle. So I made them sound warmer on less harsher.

[MrDry]

This package changed everything for me. My kick drums are audible now and present which after much room treatment and building bass traps and all that, I just couldn’t get right. Amazing software. HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT

[octopusonfire]

A couple tips about SonarWorks Reference:

- YES, you can use a stand. Do it!
- While measuring, put a webcam or any camera connected to your computer in between your speakers. Then, look at the screen whenever you move your microphone to make sure is directly pointing to the camera.

[glasscannon]

I just got the software and mic setup and am pleased to see your thorough and positive review. Thank you for making the video.

[bjoernkmusic]

Another think I wanted to throw in is that if you already did some corrections to your room but you're not sure if it's enough, the measurement can reveal where there's still larger problems in your room treatment.

[Charlessandberg]

Sonarworks is great stuff. I’ve had it for about 8 months and it’s phenomenal. Great review!

[spintonik]

Thank you for your very interesting review - this got me trying the software myself. I am a hobby musician but I am a professional audio engineer and loudspeaker designer. My room is acoustically treated and my loudspeakers are DIY DSP solution which I know inside out. In my room I was able to get repeatable results between measurements and started to wonder why you did not.

After a bit of thinking I think I know one reason to it - the microphone. You see, the mic used may be (your signal chain's) by far the weakest link. I would not be surprised if your cables would cost more than the mic! Based on calibration file it is far from linear, I would not be surprised if the polar pattern would not be a perfect omni and there would be more non-linearities in amplitude response.

Despite of this, each and every signal in your studio is affected by the performance of this microphone. Myself, I used trial license, I took higher grade measurement mic (Isemcon emx-7150) from work and applied its calibration file to get everything ruler flat. I would recommend everyone mixing professionally with high-budget setup, to upgrade their microphone to a Class-1 measurement microphone. This doubles the investment but if you have already spent thousands of euros on your mixing rig, it makes sense.

So IMHO this software IS snake oil, if the studio setup is already on same quality level with yours is AND you use 45 Euro microphone for the measurements.

Others with less perfect studio setups, this software makes them better. And with mic upgrade, even better!

However I see a lost opportunity here, as same measurement could be used to analyze reverberation time, standing waves, reasons behind the nonlinearities etc. I had a strange dip on my Right-speaker measurements that got me baffled, I am sure I'll haul ALL my measurement gear home some day, to analyze it. This software should tell it's opinion on room acoustics, not just squeeze everything to flat by using EQ. Sonarworks could make a nice pile of money through a partnership with a acoustic treatment gear -company, WHILE helping their clients to get a better studio and better mixes.

[KalleHullu]

Room and/or speakers seems to sound pretty accurate just by looking at the freq response graph before Sonarwork adding it's own filters.

[AtomNic]

just got it myself, my studio never sounded better!

[SteveStockmalMusic]

I have a stand up desk and a drafting chair... I tested it and found that MY body wants to switch(stand/sit) about every 17 minutes.
DO NOT sit down for long periods of time. That’s a recipe for bad health, heart issues and general lethargic life.
Just a positive thought for us sound guys.

[jeffreyjacques]

Just installed the headphones edition and it took some time to get used to the "new" sound of my beyerdynamic's, but after 2 hrs i can't go back. Great review, great Software!

[TheCunnu]

Man! I can see you are from Holland! You’ve got a pair of Philips MFB 587 black edition. I think that probably 98% of the people here don’t know what I’m talking about. Great choice! Because of that....SUBSCRIBED! I trust people who understand what those speakers are capable of! Impressed that a young guy appreciates the MFB speakers. Got a pair of 545 studio here as well as the 587, 585, 541, 544