audio equalizer OR preamp with Harman/Kardon 3490?

xironmanx

I am toying with the idea of using a graphic audio equalizer with my Harman Kardon 3490 stereo receiver. I feel I may get better sound from my Polk RTi4 speakers with having more frequency adjustments from the equalizer instead of just the bass and treble knobs that are on the receiver. If this is a good idea, what are respectable brands of equalizers? Also, can they equalize a digital signal or only analog?

Would another/better option be to use a preamp with the 3490 receiver instead of an equalizer to adjust the sound? This way I would already have a preamp for the day I decided to run an amp+preamp system later on down the line. if this would be the route to go, which brands seem to be more reliable over others, without breaking the bank?

Thanks for anyone's input. I haven't ventured into the world of individual components yet, so my knowledge is limited.

JimAckley

Just so we have a better understanding, what is prompting your desire for the EQ? Are you just trying to enhance your bass or your highs, are you getting peaks on some frequencies, but dips at others?

If you said yes to the bass/highs question, then the odds are that you need more than just an EQ. If you're trying to flatten the response of your system's playable response, then an EQ will fix that pretty easily.

However, quite often the problem is properly remedied in a manner other than an EQ. My 2-channel rig doesn't allow for optimum placement of my speakers, so I have a midbass hump around 140Hz and have to EQ it out slightly, but I don't crank it up at the low end to attempt to make my LSi7s pound out frequencies that they're simply not equipped to reproduce. If you're trying to get some extra thump, that will be better accomplished by picking up a powered subwoofer for your system.

I hope this helps guide you in the proper direction.

cnh

Good points, Jim!

I own a set of these and the HK as well. All I can say to you is 'placement', 'placement', placement'. Try the speakers at different positions in the room and at different distances from the walls...closer, very close, farther away. Keep experimenting until they sound 'right' to you.

As Jim says, it would be useful to know what it is about the sound that is the problem? For me it was the balance between the highs and lack of bass. But room placement resolved that.

cnh

xironmanx

Sorry for the long-delayed response:

Thanks for the advice. I was mainly attempting to increase bass response from the RTi4s with the HK 3490 in my roughly 15'X15' bedroom. I would have used a sub, but my family barely puts up with my other one, lol. As cnh stated, widening the speaker placement did help some. I only have minimal room for the entire setup, but being able to squeeze a few feet in spacing width beat paying for a new piece of equipment. Thanks again.

leroyjr1

You're only going to get so much bass out of bookshelf speakers. Forget a EQ I'd look into some floorstanding speakers like the rti8's. They'll give you a lot more bass.

TECHNOKID

xironmanx wrote: »

I am toying with the idea of using a graphic audio equalizer with my Harman Kardon 3490 stereo receiver. I feel I may get better sound from my Polk RTi4 speakers with having more frequency adjustments from the equalizer instead of just the bass and treble knobs that are on the receiver. If this is a good idea, what are respectable brands of equalizers? Also, can they equalize a digital signal or only analog?

Would another/better option be to use a preamp with the 3490 receiver instead of an equalizer to adjust the sound? This way I would already have a preamp for the day I decided to run an amp+preamp system later on down the line. if this would be the route to go, which brands seem to be more reliable over others, without breaking the bank?

Thanks for anyone's input. I haven't ventured into the world of individual components yet, so my knowledge is limited.

Why would you want to temper with the original content of your music? Trying to push more than what those book shelves are capable will simply worsen your problem (you will jeopardise the SQ).

cnh wrote: »

Good points, Jim!

I own a set of these and the HK as well. All I can say to you is 'placement', 'placement', placement'. Try the speakers at different positions in the room and at different distances from the walls...closer, very close, farther away. Keep experimenting until they sound 'right' to you.

As Jim says, it would be useful to know what it is about the sound that is the problem? For me it was the balance between the highs and lack of bass. But room placement resolved that.

cnh

Exactly, room placement and-or a sub is the answer.

leroyjr1 wrote: »

You're only going to get so much bass out of bookshelf speakers. Forget a EQ I'd look into some floorstanding speakers like the rti8's. They'll give you a lot more bass.

Agreed! If a sub is out of question, replace your speakers with ones that are full range as much as possible.