How do I connect an equalizer

[Az B]

The settings are to be left @ 0. Not in the -. Not in the +. If a person thinks they need more bass, they either need more power or larger(or better) speakers. Same goes for trebble. If you need more, consider the electronics or speakers. If any system does not sound great set flat, then that system is not up-to-par....... This is an AUDIOPHILE FACT!

So everyone has perfect, or at least identical rooms? What if a room mode is being excited, or if there's a null? How is buying more powerful amps and bigger speakers going to help that?

The answer is simple; every room is different. Some rooms can greatly benefit from EQ.

And where is this book of audiophile facts?

 

[zumbo]

Why do you think most high end gear don't have bass & trebble?
My mid-fi receiver has a parametric eq. My bass & trebble are set to 0(flat). In my car & in my house.

Give me a minute to find you some proof, as it may take days for more people to agree that an eq should not be used.

 

[zumbo]

proofThis is from Audioholics.
Listed below are several reasons why I reserve using tone controls as a last option:

Many receivers' tone adjustments are done through the analog domain, adding additional circuitry in the critical analog paths, which results in audible signal quality degradation and/or compression.

Using a tone control is not specific at reducing a particular problem frequency. Many tone controls labeled "treble" roll of broadband frequencies centered at 10KHz and thus reduce frequencies that are not attributing to system brightness resulting in unwanted loss of fidelity.

Note: One can argue that using an equalizer is a better option as you have more control over what frequencies are being boosted or attenuated. This is true; however, adding an EQ into the preamp section of your Receiver may throw off the calibration of your Dolby Prologic/Digital controller and may also overload the DSP chip causing damage or unwanted clipping.

Note: Use equalizers with caution and only use them in two-channel mode if at all!

 

[mtrycrafts]

Why do you think most high end gear don't have bass & trebble?

Certainly not because it is not needed and certainly because it is a hi end mindset. Rooms are EQ in pro setups everywhere but when it comes to hi end audio mythology.


My mid-fi receiver has a parametric eq. My bass & trebble are set to 0(flat). In my car & in my house.

OK. What does that mean? You like it like that, nothing more.

Give me a minute to find you some proof, as it may take days for more people to agree that an eq should not be used.

Actually, you will not find that proof. Rooms need EQ, period.

 

[mtrycrafts]

This is from Audioholics.
Listed below are several reasons why I reserve using tone controls as a last option:

Many receivers' tone adjustments are done through the analog domain, adding additional circuitry in the critical analog paths, which results in audible signal quality degradation and/or compression.

Using a tone control is not specific at reducing a particular problem frequency. Many tone controls labeled "treble" roll of broadband frequencies centered at 10KHz and thus reduce frequencies that are not attributing to system brightness resulting in unwanted loss of fidelity.

Note: One can argue that using an equalizer is a better option as you have more control over what frequencies are being boosted or attenuated. This is true; however, adding an EQ into the preamp section of your Receiver may throw off the calibration of your Dolby Prologic/Digital controller and may also overload the DSP chip causing damage or unwanted clipping.

Note: Use equalizers with caution and only use them in two-channel mode if at all!

Just because one tone control cannot solve the EQ problem doesn't mean that one should not use any EQ. All it means is that a tone control in a component is very inadequate.

If I remember correctly the report on the person attending that training session and sub use, the course does discuss the use of EQ and may recommend it as well.

Certainly using EQ in the digital domain is preferred. In many cases it is not feasable and placing it between the amp and pre will work very well.

In a multi speaker setup, certainly EQ ing before the processing will mess it up. However, applying EQ afterwards will not affect anything. It works.

 

[mtrycrafts]

So everyone has perfect, or at least identical rooms? What if a room mode is being excited, or if there's a null? How is buying more powerful amps and bigger speakers going to help that?

The answer is simple; every room is different. Some rooms can greatly benefit from EQ.

And where is this book of audiophile facts?

Interesting that recording studios EQ their speakers, THX uses EQ in setups, and on it goes. EQ is part of the pro acoustic toolkit

 

[mtrycrafts]

The floor standers will have the high frequencies that are affected.

I am not sure I follow you here

 

[mtrycrafts]

Hey guys,

Ok, now I purchased this equalizer (Kenwood KE-205) and decided not to use it on my system. Should I return it ($50) or should I connect it up to the subwoofer to tighten up some bass? The sub is pretty tight now, but I am not sure if an EQ would make it sound any better. The only thing is..the frequency ranges on the EQ are as follows...60 Hz, 150 Hz, 400 Hz, 1 kHz, 2.4 kHz, 6 kHz, and 15 kHz. I think for a sub, the low frequencies on the EQ might be a little high for the sub, however instead of boosting 60 hz and below, maybe it would sound even better if I could cut some of the frequencies above 60 hz. Just curious what you guys think. Thanks for your help!

You cannot use an EQ by ear. You need a real time analyzer to see what you have and need to correct problems. Your 7 band is not enough and as far as your low frequency goes, that 60 Hz is nothing. Don't bother with this.

 

[zumbo]

Why do you think most high end gear don't have bass & trebble?

Certainly not because it is not needed and certainly because it is a hi end mindset. Rooms are EQ in pro setups everywhere but when it comes to hi end audio mythology.


My mid-fi receiver has a parametric eq. My bass & trebble are set to 0(flat). In my car & in my house.

OK. What does that mean? You like it like that, nothing more.

Give me a minute to find you some proof, as it may take days for more people to agree that an eq should not be used.

Actually, you will not find that proof. Rooms need EQ, period.

All of these statements were about tone adjustment. Not EQ. And the proof was given about tone and EQ in the post I made after the one quoted here!

 

[markw]

Proof? Here's your "proof"

Why do you think most high end gear don't have bass & trebble?
My mid-fi receiver has a parametric eq. My bass & trebble are set to 0(flat). In my car & in my house.

Give me a minute to find you some proof, as it may take days for more people to agree that an eq should not be used.

My stuff does have tone controls. And, with the type of recordings I listen to, they DO make for a more pleasurable experience. Unless you have control of the source material, a little judicious boost or cut on the extremes can make or break a listening experience on occasion.

Unless, of course, you live under the (mis)assumption that all source material is "perfect". Using that logic, women would not need makeup. You think my roots rock stuff from the 50's was recorded perfectly? Think again.

And, when dissing others preferences, please keep in mind that it's spelled "treble", not "trebble. You'll appear more intelligent.

 

[zumbo]

Not trying to put anyone down. The oldest stuff I listen to, which is my favorite, is Led Zeppelin. The sound quality is not that great, but can be improved with better equipment. Over the years, I have moved away from EQ's and using the tone control. I have found that I prefer hard dome tweeters because I prefer a good bit of TREBLE . This also helps with the Led. The same goes for bass. I prefer a 12" sub, or better, two 10". I like a good bit, but not boomy. A system that performs well set flat has always been my ultimate goal, and it is what Audiophiles have taught me.

As far as spelling, I keep a dictionary & thesarus beside my computer to help. I could not find TREBLE. It is not my strong point.

 

[zumbo]

markw, What does your system consist of. I have an old Onkyo pro-logic receiver that sounds like crap without the 24 band Sherwood EQ hooked up to it. But compared to my Yamaha, that Onkyo is a POS! WITH THE EQ ALSO! The reason for the lack of quality sound on the Onkyo unit is lack of power!

 

[markw]

markw, What does your system consist of. I have an old Onkyo pro-logic receiver that sounds like crap without the 24 band Sherwood EQ hooked up to it. But compared to my Yamaha, that Onkyo is a POS! WITH THE EQ ALSO! The reason for the lack of quality sound on the Onkyo unit is lack of power!

http://cgi.audioasylum.com/systems/1606.html

Although as of late I've been spending more time in the newly renovated "man cave/gym/basement rec room" using a Marantz 2270, a pair of DCM CX-21's, a Philips 887 tt w/ Shure cartridge. And there's a Teac R 400X cassette deck there also but it's rarely used anymore.

Also, I have a Toshiba DVD/VHS unit plugged into it for a two channel "psuedo" HT. This serves as the CD player as well. Oh, there is also a Tosh 27" TV for the lovely Mrs Markw to do her morning exercises to. Hence the VHS.

And, most times I have no need to kerfutz with the tone controls. If I needed to depend on them constantly then, you're right. Either system changes or a re-evaluation of my expectations vs. reality would be called for. But, when the source requires it, I have no reservations whatsoever about using them. They are there to add to our enjoyment, not sacred cows to be worshiped, idolized and never touched.

EQ's, when PROPERLY calibrated can do wondrous things for a system, particularly in the low end but, OTOH, they can be used to royally screw up an otherwise decent system.

And, I REALLY have problems with gear that does not have a balance control as well.

 

[warnerwh]

An equalizer is a great tool which is used by musicans and recording studios practically always. Rooms have acoustics of their own, period. An equalizer can make a huge difference especially if you can't treat your room for various reasons. Anybody who thinks otherwise needs to do some research. The latest DSP's for home audio sure have received alot of praise from users. Check out the Tact users group on Yahoo. Also Audio Control makes a graphic equalizer just for the bass region for a few hundred dollars. For alot more money Rives makes a high quality parametric just for the bass region. Anybody who thinks their room is great and has never tested it should buy a Rives audio cd which is calibrated for the Radio Shack SPL meter (you'll need one of these also) and test their rooms. You're in for a big surprise. Typical rooms are plus or minus 15-20db. Straighten this out just some of the way and you'll hear nice improvements in sound quality. Until you hear your system properly adjusted through room treatment and/or equalization you don't know how good it can sound.

 

[zumbo]

If you read this whole thread, you will see it is not about a parametric eq. My receiver has that built in. And it is used. This thread was about a graphic eq.