Interesting Excerpt from Jim Smith's Quarter Notes:
Some of you will remember my interest in DEQX. Although I wanted it to work, I’ve still not heard a system that was musically satisfying when overall equalization – digital or analog – was employed with 2-channel music. In general, they can sound very correct, but not especially involving. It reminds me a bit of the time that I managed to get the bass in my system almost ruler-flat in response. I couldn’t wait to hear it. Then, after hearing it, I couldn’t wait to get it back to where it had been…
That’s not to say that such digital EQ cannot possibly be musically compelling. All I can say is that I’ve yet to hear such a system that wasn’t more precise than profound. So I still don’t know for certain if it can be done.
I’ve come to think of physical adjustments that you can do in your room as Organic EQ. When voicing systems, I have called it RoomPlay. Whatever the name, you can dramatically improve your sound without having to resort to electronic manipulation.
If your system is already EQ/d electronically, I am not suggesting that you undo it. I would suggest that you first try to do everything you can to make your system sound its best without eq. Then when you do re-introduce it, it may have to work less hard. Use the eq to touch up small areas, but don’t use it as an overall band-aid.
Here’s an example – it’s only opinion - I am not representing it as a known fact.
If you have a mid-bass peak in your room, you could possibly reduce it with EQ. And that may be your best choice.
But remember that the peak is almost certainly from a room resonance. When you turn it down by eq’ing it, you are simply turning that whole frequency area down in amplitude. Actually, you haven't removed the resonance from part of the sound. Its percentage of the fundamental will still be similar, only turned down a bit (well, it will usually be a somewhat smaller percentage to some extent because it’s not resonating as loudly).
So this correct-amplitude bass note will still contain an inordinate amount of resonance even if it is reduced electronically. Why not find the place in the room that doesn’t contain that peak to start with? Then the bass will be more tuneful and be more likely to be musically engaging.
Of course, bass traps can help also, though they are not inconspicuous or inexpensive solutions. But they ARE organic.
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HOWEVER, because the new DEQX addresses certain speaker issues before eq’ing the room, it’d be the one I recommend if I still felt inclined to go down the eq path.
