Setting up with SoundID Reference on speakers

If you're looking to measure your stereo speaker setup with SoundID Reference, refer to this guide for requirements and various tips for successful measurements, and how to apply the calibration on your system.

In this article:

• System and hardware requirements
• License registry & activation
• Speaker measurements
• Applying calibration to your system
• Frequently asked questions
  • Are pre-made speaker profiles available?
  • Can I measure a stereo setup with a subwoofer?
  • Can I measure multiple speaker setups?
  • How can I set a specific monitoring SPL level after applying calibration?
  • Which formats are supported for multichannel speaker calibration?
  • How to set up a subwoofer/LFE for multichannel calibration?

System and hardware requirements

• Supported operating system:
• macOS 11 Big Sur, 12 Monterey, 13 Ventura, 14 Sonoma, 15 Sequoia, 26 Tahoe.
• Windows 10, 11.
• Stable internet connection (offline use not supported).
• SoundID Reference for software installed (download here).
• SoundID Reference product license:
  • Speakers and Headphones license: stereo measurements (2.0 with or without subwoofer).
  • Multichannel license: multichannel measurements (2.1-9.1.6).
• A speaker system (2.0 stereo or 2.1-9.1.6 multichannel).
• Audio interface with +48V phantom power.
• XLR to XLR audio cable.
• Measurement microphone:
  • Sonarworks measurement microphone (recommended), available separately here.
  • Third-party measurement microphone, learn more here.
• Microphone stand (multichannel measurements only).
• Ø21 microphone clip for multichannel measurements (included in the box with all when purchasing from the Sonarworks Store).

Note: Speakers can be measured with the fully featured free trial version of SoundID Reference. Speaker calibration profiles created in the trial will remain functional after activating a full license. A free trial is available in your Sonarworks Account.

License registry & activation

To use the SoundD Reference software, you will need to add a SoundID Reference product license to your user account: 

1. Log in to your Sonarworks Account.
2. Click on Register a new license.
3. Enter your license activation key.
4. Click on Activate on this device.

SoundD Reference is available in the Sonarworks Store, or at your local dealer: Sonarworks Reseller Map. See upgrade options for existing Sonarworks license owners here: How to upgrade a Sonarworks Reference license. 

Speaker measurements

To begin, launch the SoundID Reference Measure app. The 4-stage measurement process will take around 20-30 minutes to complete:

• Hardware Setup: Setting up your hardware, I/O, and audio settings.
• Listening Spot: Establishing the dimensions of your listening area.
• Room Response: A series of 37 measurements of your room and speakers.
• Results: Once the measurement process is complete, the results will be displayed.

Note: An additional Volume Matching stage is in place for multichannel measurements only, to help equalize speaker levels before calibration. You can adjust levels manually (recommended) or let the software apply automatic corrections. Manual matching improves balance and reduces Safe Headroom. This feature is not available in stereo mode, where volume matching is handled automatically.

Quick tips

• If you're using a subwoofer, see how to set it up in 2.0 stereo here: Measuring a 2.0 stereo setup with subwoofer.
• Using a microphone stand is not necessary; the mic can be hand-held.
• If you are unsure which are the midrange drivers in your speakers, see this article: Speaker distance measurements: midrange drivers.
• If you're getting stuck, use this troubleshooting guide: SoundID Reference speaker measurement troubleshooting guide.
• If your audio interface or speakers feature EQs and/or delays applied to the speaker outputs, they must be turned off for all of the channels before proceeding
• If you are using a SoundID Reference-integrated device, step-by-step directions for your specific device will be listed here: Applying calibration on integrated devices (profile export).
• If your audio interface has no microphone input (or no +48V phantom power), use an external microphone preamp and connect it to one of your interface analog inputs. Alternatively, you can use a network audio-enabled audio interface to connect an external microphone preamp and route the microphone signal to your multichannel interface over a network connection.

Applying calibration to your system

After the speakers have been measured, calibration can be applied in 3 different ways. Identify what is the best fit for your system and workflow, and follow the guides below:

• SoundID Reference standalone app: System-wide calibration for your entire computer audio (local files & players, browser, gaming, etc.). Follow this guide to get started: Applying calibration with the SoundID Reference standalone app.
• SoundID Reference DAW plugin: Perfect for music production and mixing process, featuring a Zero Latency filter. All major plugin formats are supported: AU, AAX, VST2, VST3. Follow this guide to get started: Applying calibration with the DAW plugin.
• SoundID Reference supported devices: Export your calibration profile for supported devices. Upload and run the calibration directly on your hardware DSP. See the list of supported devices and get started here: Applying calibration on integrated devices (profile export).

Frequently asked questions

Are pre-made speaker profiles available?

No, there are no pre-made speaker profiles in the SoundID Reference software; they must be created for your specific room and speaker setup. Pre-made calibration profiles are available for headphones only.

Can I measure a stereo setup with a subwoofer?

Yes, you can easily measure a stereo setup with a subwoofer in a 2.0 stereo configuration, compatible with a regular stereo license (Multichannel license not required).

Follow the directions here: Measuring a 2.0 stereo setup with subwoofer. 

Can I measure multiple speaker setups?

Yes, you can measure, create, and use an unlimited number of speaker profiles. 

How can I set a specific monitoring SPL level after applying calibration?

If you need to follow a certain SPL standard for monitoring, perform an SPL measurement at your listening spot with calibration running and the Safe Headroom feature enabled, then make the necessary level adjustments to the output level on your audio interface. 

How to set up a subwoofer/LFE for multichannel calibration?

If your setup uses the cinema-standard +10 dB LFE boost, the Measure app can account for it during calibration - simply enable the "My LFE channel is adjusted to play 10 dB louder than the other channels" option during the Hardware Setup stage. If unsure whether a boost is already applied, the app will guide you through the correct adjustment. If you prefer your LFE to be at the same level as other speakers (e.g., Center), you can choose the "My LFE channel is adjusted to play 10 dB louder than the other channels" option during setup instead.

SoundID Reference for Multichannel supports a single LFE channel, allowing you to measure and calibrate a subwoofer routed to that output. While only one LFE output is supported, multiple subwoofers can be measured in parallel (connected to a single discrete channel). For best results with multiple subwoofers, ensure subwoofers are in phase, placed equidistant from the Listening Spot, and located symmetrically (ideally between Front L and R).