Parametric Equalizer and Timbre Matching???

CBrischler

I just bought a new Yamaha RXV 2400 that has individual parametric equalization for each channel. The issues with timbre matching the front speakers R50's and a CSi5 I am thinking should not be a big a deal now with this feature. I will not be setting the new system up for a few weeks but was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this individual speaker/channel equalization and if better matches speakers that are not from the same series.
Thanks
Buzz

Harlowe

Equalizers are nasty beasts in your system at best. Any more eletronics between the source and the outputs can only bring bad Karma to your life and the ability to listen to clean sound. The best thing to do is leave all the controls flat and get a sound meter (RaDiO ShAcK $49..analog) and adjust the speakers to match at 75db reference level from your pink noise generator in your amp/reciever. You will be amazed at the sound. Also put some duct tape over those tone controls as they should NEVER be used. Here is some help use these tips and you will be amazed:

http://www.goodsound.com/howto/2002_05_01.htm

http://mixonline.com/ar/audio_speaker_setup_acoustic/index.htm:cool:

RVJII

Dito on the bad karma...

dorokusai

Don't put all your faith in an EQ. I can adjust my AVR EQ so much it would make you puke, but I have zero need for that feature.

You can certainly tone down the center, to blend better, but it will be at a cost.

CBrischler

I appreciate your input on your purist approach to music listening and the perils of equalization. I guess I am not a purist and think tone adjustment like DSP is not a bad thing.... I just wanted to know if a slight adjustment to the high frequency would help this issue. I guess in your opinion it wouldn't or you are not open to trying...

Anyone else that is more pro equalization and might have thoughts here would be appreciated???
Thanks
Buzz

Harlowe

It is not being a purist. The point is the modification of the source material. Think of it one of two ways...You go to a muesum and see some Monet's or Van Gogh's and you pull out a some paint and change the work in front of you because you believe a little more color here and there would improve the painting or another example You go to a concert...whatever type of music you desire and when the artist/conductor begins you go to them and make them play the guiter louder or perhaps the string section should play in a different key. You are altering what the arist intended you to hear. If you checked out the links i provided you could try one or two tips to improve the enviorment you are listening in. And perhaps you will see the advantage of proper placement and small improvments that cost next to nothing. I to used to use tone controls and thought equalizers could help at one point until I understood that I was making the music sound how I wanted it to sound and not how the artist intended me to hear their art. So it is not a purist point of view it is just an understanding of art no matter whether visual or sound. It is still art.

KarlJShields

Originally posted by Harlowe
You go to a muesum and see some Monet's or Van Gogh's and you pull out a some paint and change the work in front of you because you believe a little more color here and there would improve the painting

Perhaps a better analogy would be going to the museum and putting on your glasses before viewing "Starry Night" The reality is that some of us do suffer from myopia, etc., and require corrective lenses to view the Van Gogh. The prescription does not change the work of art, but rather allows the viewer to appreciate it in all its glory.

The analogy is not exact, of course, but there are instances where a judicial eq tweak can correct for room dynamics or placement constraints that cannot otherwise be rectified by speaker positioning. While I tend to leave my own eq/tone controls as flat as possible, they can be useful, when the situation warrants.

As far as interfering with the artist, having just spent the past weekend in the studio, I can assure you that artists, producers, and recording engineers take every advantage of their eqs to modify the sound of their vox and instruments. Moreover, correct use of equalization apparati can make or break live sound productions--using the eq equipment to shape the sound into a more pleasing experience for the listeners. Shouldn't you have the same opportunity at home?

Ceruleance

My analogy is better:

You want to view art through your computer monitor since it is not feasible for you to obtain an in-person viewing, but the colors are off because of the characteristics of your viewing system. So you adjust the color temperature or other variables on your monitor so that they better re-create the live experience.

Yes EQ can create unwanted characteristics, but you have to look at the whole picture. Why do you think a 2 or 3 way speaker with a crossover (read: passive equalization for each driver) is the preferred consumer standard over a 1 driver speaker without any "dirty equalization that will bring bad karma with it"

RVJII

Good analogy...never thought of it that way.

Learned something new today.