Equalizers?

gordonf238

Does anyone use them? I feel that the mere Bass/Treble controls on my receiver don't allow me to fully fine-tune my music. I feel that I'd rather use the "bypass" function on the receiver, bypassing the bass/treble control circuitry and let a separate equalizer unit handle it all.

For example, Dire Straits' Brothers in Arms album comes off too bland. There is hardly any bass depth at all, while Reggae tunes on the other hand flush out the mids and highs all together.

So does anyone use equalizers, as separate units to bring out the depth and substance in their music? If so, can you recommend any decent units?

I've been eyeing this Audiosource EQ100 unit, but for only $100 I wonder whether it degrades the sound more than it improves it.

http://www.audiosource.net/eq100.html

ND13

One word comes to mind.... DISTORTION!!!

heiney9

Tone controls/enhancement are EVIL. I have that CD and I don’t find any problems with it. It’s actually one of the better sounding cd’s available. IMO, I’d stay away from any type of equalizer. It’s going to add noise as it runs thru a processor loop. To each there own as far as how they want to tweak the sound. If you must use an EQ try to get as high quality a unit as you can buy and probably should be a parametric one as well.

If this cd sounds flat and lifeless on your system there are other problem areas in your audio chain. I’m not trying to sound like an audio snob, but those are the facts as I see it.

H9

Ron-P

I don't even mess with those standard bass/treble controls.

madmax

The AudioControl line of EQ's work well with very little distortion. That is what I used before becoming a purist. I have almost the whole line and throw one in the mix every now and then. I am happier now without anything in line but if you must then use something of very high quality.
madmax

sucks2beme

I had used a external equalizer for a short time, but what I discovered was it was just masking problems with my gear.
When I got a better cd player and amp/pre-amp, the sound came alive. Adding a decent sub and quality cables helped even more. My equalizer is back in storage gathering dust, and the tone controls are back on flat! Used equalizers are availible nickel and dime, but I vote for improving the system first.

BrentMcGhee

i definatley do not belive in any form of equilizztion (damn i cant spell). i beleive it is up the the guys in the studio to do all that. If they want 14khz boosted then let them do it, if they want 120hz lowered a lil, let them do it.

I would much rather hear how the sound engineers mixed it, for better or for worse. (i dont think it is my job to remaster music to listne to)

Now granted yeah an equlizer is a great way to combat room problems, like if a certain frequency from a certain speaker is naturally boosted or deadend by the room, but i would rather treat the room not the audio signal.

EricH

Originally posted by BrentMcGhee

I would much rather hear how the sound engineers mixed it, for better or for worse. (i dont think it is my job to remaster music to listne to)

But you don't know if that's the sound that they intended for you to hear. What equipment were they listening to the recording through? You're hearing how it sounds on your system, that's all.

An eq can give a person a more enjoyable listening experience if they're not willing, or able, to spend thousands and thousands on gear. Give it a try. Get a couple used Rane ME30 units on Ebay. Just use test tones and an SPL meter to flatten your response.

thehaens@cox.net

I agree with many of your posts that add an EQ in the line, everyone has there own taste as to how they want to listen to their music. Some like more punch, others don't. I use one on occasion, but have found that I disable it most of the time with newer material, older material I tend to equalize a bit. Either way you go, you can get an inexpensive one to help out with any problems you have in your own environment. I would love to put all sorts of acoustic panels and traps etc. in my house, but aesthetically.......well put it this way, the wife doesn't find the gain in these sort of things. Got to give way sometimes....good luck

heiney9

Originally posted by EricH
But you don't know if that's the sound that they intended for you to hear. What equipment were they listening to the recording through? You're hearing how it sounds on your system, that's all.

An eq can give a person a more enjoyable listening experience if they're not willing, or able, to spend thousands and thousands on gear. Give it a try. Get a couple used Rane ME30 units on Ebay. Just use test tones and an SPL meter to flatten your response.

So is using a Dyno-meter to help tweak your car. You are right to the degree that if you buy top quality Eq’s and spend the time testing your room from your listening position Eq’s can help correct room deficiencies. A 2-channel eq is never going to correct a poorly engineered disc. It’s a lot of work (fun for some) to set up an eq and test your listening environment. But in the context of the original post I don’t think he was looking at it in the terms you mention. Bottom line everyone is looking for something different when they are listening to their fav music or movie. Try one and see if you like the results. Me personally, leave the eq/tone controls completely out of the picture. Don’t need ‘em, don’t care for ‘em.

H9

heiney9

Originally posted by EricH
But you don't know if that's the sound that they intended for you to hear. What equipment were they listening to the recording through? You're hearing how it sounds on your system, that's all.

An eq can give a person a more enjoyable listening experience if they're not willing, or able, to spend thousands and thousands on gear. Give it a try. Get a couple used Rane ME30 units on Ebay. Just use test tones and an SPL meter to flatten your response.

So is using a Dyno-meter to help tweak your car. You are right to the degree that if you buy top quality Eq’s and spend the time testing your room from your listening position Eq’s can help correct room deficiencies. A 2-channel eq is never going to correct a poorly engineered disc. It’s a lot of work (fun for some) to set up an eq and test your listening environment. But in the context of the original post I don’t think he was looking at it in the terms you mention. Bottom line everyone is looking for something different when they are listening to their fav music or movie. Try one and see if you like the results. Me personally, leave the eq/tone controls completely out of the picture. Don’t need ‘em, don’t care for ‘em.

H9

jmierzur

You do not provide very much information in your post. For example, what is the type of speakers, location of speakers, receiver type, source component, listening habits (quiet, loud), room (bare walls, tile, hardwood, carpet, big windows) etc. The more detail you provide, the better the responses.

My initial response given the limited information you did provide would be to bypass the tone controls on the receiver. I would then start experimenting with speaker positioning within your listening environment. If you require speaker placement help, there is a Polk document located here. Searches on the net will yield additional information.

Once you have found the 'best' sounding location within the listening environment, I would strongly suggest you leave the tone controls defeated. Listen with the tone controls defeated for at least one week; no cheating. This is very important and for your benefit, not mine. I hope you will understand at the end of the week why I am asking you to accept this assignment.

If after at least one week of listening with the tone controls defeated you still feel that it does not sound correct to you, then start adjusting the tone controls. Make MINOR adjustments and once again listen for a period of time.

If in the end you still feel the urge for an EQ, by all means proceed to aquire one. There is no right or wrong way to listen to music.

Good luck.

PS.

Dire Straits' Brothers in Arms album is not bland. As Heiney9 mentioned, if you continue to think this, then you may have other issues within your system or acoustic environment.

wlrandall

It depends on the application in my opinion. I use EQs and maximizers for the TV system; they correct for room deficiencies and add that extra punch which is great for movies. For music listening I use nothing, not even the tone controls unless it's a real weak recording.

aaharvel

equalizers are so 80's. but they sure do look cool in a rack.

Airplay355

I love source direct and tone defeat buttons.

TheReaper

Originally posted by aaharvel
equalizers are so 80's. but they sure do look cool in a rack.

I like the bouncing LEDs

As far as cheap equalizers go, the AudioSource EQ100 is about as good as any other. It doesn't introduce noise, but it does alter the sound a bit when you put it in the loop. The EQ100 can switch up to 3 stereo analog inputs (which is the way to use it, if your receiver doesn't have a tape loop). I have the analog outs from my Cable Box, DVD/CD player and my computer hooked up through my AudioSource EQ100 (the digital outputs go to my receiver).

I don't use the EQ100 much anymore, except for the bouncing LEDs. Digital equalizers are better, but more expensive. What I did, was upgrade my receiver, which has 5 band digital equalizers on each channel for room equalization. But I use them as equalizers, to tailor the sound to my liking.

bknauss

EQs are definitely great tools, but if you're not pretty darn experienced using them, you'll make even an amazing system sound like crap.

EQs are used to play around with the response you hear in your listening position... cause speaker builders can get a general idea of what your listening room is like, but it won't sound as perfect as possible.