Terminology

[phigz18]

Just a few basic questions...

1) What exactly is meant by equalizer band width? I have an idea but am not 100% sure of the meaning; if someone could clarify that'd be great.

2) When adjusting the equalizer on a stereo, what are generally the "cut-offs" for lows, mids, highs (such as 20-200 for lows, 400-6000 mids, etc.)?

I'm currently re-tuning my car stereo and wanted to be positive of these things this time around.

And not so much a question, but...
3) I'm interested on getting really familiar with the circuitry and what-not of speakers. I understand how to interpret wattages ohms and whatnot, but I'm really not positive of what it all means. My only concrete knowledge has come from howstuffworks.com Any useful sites I should know about?

Thanks a lot in advance!

 

[tbewick]

3) I'm interested on getting really familiar with the circuitry and what-not of speakers. I understand how to interpret wattages ohms and whatnot, but I'm really not positive of what it all means. My only concrete knowledge has come from howstuffworks.com Any useful sites I should know about?

Thanks a lot in advance!

http://www.klippel.de

I can't say I've used this site myself, but it does appear to contain a great deal of information on speakers.

 

[MDS]

1) What exactly is meant by equalizer band width? I have an idea but am not 100% sure of the meaning; if someone could clarify that'd be great.

2) When adjusting the equalizer on a stereo, what are generally the "cut-offs" for lows, mids, highs (such as 20-200 for lows, 400-6000 mids, etc.)?

In this case bandwidth refers to the range of frequencies it can affect. But there is a catch (as usual).

The equalizer will have a number of sliders, each labeled with a frequency. However, that frequency is the center frequency and which frequencies above and below that number it also affects is determined by its 'Q'. The Q may be adjustable and maybe not. You can think of Q as defining how 'wide' the range is. So if the Q is very narrow, the 20 Hz slider might affect 18-22 Hz; if it is wide, it might affect 15 - 25 Hz (or whatever). The amplitude of the signal at the center frequency is cut or boosted exactly by how much you specify, but near frequencies are affected too.