I would like some advice regarding upgrade routes and problem solving...

I am presently running a 950 driven by Rotel 5x120w amp, an LMF-1 compact sub and Monitor Audio GS-20 speakers. My interconnects and speaker wire are from BlueJeansCable (Belden)

The room is a carpeted rectangular living room 14x20', with ideal lengthwise placement of couch and speakers. The sub is on the sidewall 2/3 way back from the mains.

I primarily listen to music via HTPC (digital interconnect via Lossless WMA). I have a 50" plasma mounted on the wall. The floor standing speakers are 8' apart and 14' from the couch. They sit slightly toed in and 6" from the wall.

While the sound is quite pleasing, I have been battling overall boomy bass issues and striking the right balance between audio vs. movie settings (e.g., movie surround is either too loud/soft or not subtle enough during dialog). I have done the best I can to manually calibrate the system with a sound meter and have endlessly tried combinations of cross-over threshold, speaker settings (lg vs. sm) and volume control on the sub. I think some of the problem is related to having the speakers so close to the wall, but speaker/sub placement is one thing not negotiable with the wife and 2 year old.

So my questions:
1) Will upgrading to the 990 help out with its auto calibration functionality?

2) Would the Velodyne SMS-1 be a better alternative to address the bass issues, or is there a better 3rd party EQ tool on the market?

3) Is there enough discerning audio improvements between the 950 and the 990 for critical music listening to merit the outlay of money?

4) Should I just hire a certified audio engineer to come and assist with the tuning?

Thanks for your thoughts!

The problems you are describing are more likely to be improved using an SMS-1 - in fact, they sound close to a textbook case for the SMS-1 to be beneficial. Acoustical treatment or adjustments in sub placement could also be candidates for helping improve matters, but - as you mention - those may not be practical measures in your case. Take a spin through Outlaw\'s SMS-1 guide to see what it can offer you.

1) Doubt it very much. A manual calibration should be at least as good as what the 990 can do automatically. I am a bit unsure of what you mean by "movie vs. music settings." A calibration is a calibration is a calibration. It's independent of source material - and should work for all. The 950 offers different surround settings for music or otherwise - and those differences are not subtle. But the calibration remains the same.

2) Yes. Especially if you have no flexibility with some of the other options like placement, room acoustics, etc.

3) Doubt it as well. By critical music listening I assume you mean straight stereo. You should not be able to hear any difference between the two - all else being equal.

4) People actually do this? Where's the fun in that? Since you can't even change the placement of your speakers, I say stick with your RS meter, demo discs, and ears to tune the set-up yourself. You are most likely facing the intrinsic limitations (whatever they might be) of your gear / set-up. In any case the SMS-1 should help. If it doesn't, send it back on the Outlaw return guarantee.