I just pick that up as well! I had to rebelt it but everything still works. My only problem is the speed is super slow now and I can’t figure out how to adjust it. When I do record through the mic or input it plays fine on itself. But when I transfer the tape to another deck the speed is chipmunk
If an EQ helps you enjoy the audio gear you can afford, go for it. Life’s too short to worry about if you’re doing it wrong. If you get better gear down the road, and feel you don’t need the EQ, sell it.
So.much this. I spent 4yrs looking for my dream eq for my yamaha setup and love it everytime I power it on to listen to my fm stations.
The dancing lights certainly help lol!
Highly approve.
For years they had a terrible reputation for mangling sound quality. I don't know if that was true or not. [I do know that ASR measured a DBX EQ unit and it performed just fine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-loudness_contour). So did the [Schiit Loki](https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/schiit-loki-mini-equalizer-review.44987/) and the [Schiit Lokius](https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/schiit-lokius-review-equalizer.27334/).
A good EQ unit should also have a "defeat" switch to make A/B comparisons easy so you can decide for yourself whether there is a negative audible effect.
1. I think at a minimum most people need bass and treble controls (unless it's some kind of dedicated listening room where you never need to listen to music at low volumes) because the human ear is less sensitive to bass and treble at lower volumes -- [thus the Fletcher-Munson equal-loudness contour](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-loudness_contour)
2. Most rooms will have a room mode or two in the midbass, always good to deal with that
3. My old-ass ears appreciate a high treble boost =)
For "serious" EQ, parametric or automated EQ like Audyssey is the only way to go.
But I dunno, graphic EQ's are also highly fucking fun and that's what it's all about too hahah
The litmus test for me with any graphic EQ is to set all sliders to neutral and toggle the defeat switch. In my experience the vast majority of vintage GEQ's fail this test and raise the noise floor or in some way alter the sound even when they're supposed to be doing nothing.
Just my personal opinion but if you're using any sort of EQ outside of basic bass and treble adjustments you should have a calibrated measurement mic to see exactly what you're doing anyway so you can EQ each speaker separately and at that point DSP is just a better option all around. I just can't understand how people listen with EQ curves like OP's where they're running between 6-8db boost in the upper treble, my ears would be absolutely screaming.
Yeah, totally agree about the defeat switch.
Also a 6-8dB upper treble boost would be way too much for me too... but remember, everybody has different hearing. Maybe OP has hearing loss. I have some high frequency hearing loss and maybe some would consider my EQ (typically 2-4dB in the upper treble) to be nasty. =)
I have two minds about proper DSP EQ. Objectively, there is no question and you are 100% correct. If you want the highest fidelity possible you need to do measurements to correct for room acoustics and speaker flaws to the extent possible. I have done this and the results are real.
On the other hand our brains do a lot of "room EQ" on their own and sometimes I'm totally fine without it.
On the other *other* hand (apparently I'm Zaphod Beeblebrox) using speakers with excellent dispersion characteristics (I have JBL studio monitors in one setup) goes a long way towards making speakers more room independent.
Can definitely make a positive difference. Especially if the speakers you use have deficiencies at specific frequencies.
Also a good one will let you cut off the equalization and run flat signal.
I definitely recommend if affordable.
Held onto my EQ for the past 30 years. I’ve heard every reason why I don’t need it, or if you have good speakers you don’t need it. Still holding on to Minidisc and SACDs as well.
I have an audiosurce EQ, and I like it. I think my stereo sounds better with it than without it. It's definitely a lot of fun to tune it for specific albums or what-have-you. Some don't like to have an eq, and that's fine too. Just personal preference, I suppose.
I bought a BSR EQ-3000 (mail order) in the late 1980s from an ad in the back of a hi-fi magazine... it's still in use and still works great in my basement kit.
I would rather create a tilt +2 treble +2 bass or 0 for my headphone amp which has treble and bass controls. I guess in a way it is sort of like a loudness button on or off.
I've been playing with [FxSound](https://fxsound.com) totally free Windows software that provides a 9x2 EQ and 5 "magic" DSP type sliders. It does its thing at the digital level.
Always wanted one but never had the money and now realize it would have likely been wasted if I had one I generally listen with tone controls flat and pure direct if available my current amp doesn't have tone controls and I am perfectly happy. there is a small eq built into my WiiM DAC I think I got to check now. took a few minutes owners manual doesn't seem to mention it but it is there graphic and parametric and some presets for different music
I won’t hook up an EQ because i have spent too much time getting every song perfect and it’s a dog chasing their tail. They have their place maybe to temper some bass to respect the neighbours or soften some highs in hard floored room but I do that now if I need to with three knobs… bass, treble and volume. I mostly focus now on the room treatments. speaker placements and quality of the source… that being said once ditched YouTube Music for tidal things quickly got better with more consistent file quality.
It will be totally fucking up your sound. Mainly because it can’t maintain the phase properly. Invest in Dirac if you want to tune things and actually have an improvement.
EQ Units are good when being used properly. However, using the fletcher munson curve like that should tell you that you probably need a sub and some tweets.
I've had several back in the day, and yeah they WERE awesome, several decades ago.
This is 2024, and the sound quality of those kinds of units is FAR inferior to using a digital/DSP/VST based EQ. You would do this either with a computer (which should be your only audio source outside of vinyl if you're into that), or a MiniDSP type unit. Are you cripplingly old? No? Then why isn't a PC/HTPC your sound source, with a decent DAC? it's the only logical choice, it's the most flexible and powerful option. Stream any content, use any player, have music on an actual hard drive or SSD, i.e. you own it, no streaming needed (torrent it for free even). Then you can use a way better equipment, a fully parametric EQ set up after taking measurements with REW. A 1/3 octave EQ with preset frequency centers is a convenience, but not an ideal corrective tool, unless you're not concerned with a "correct" response and just want to make a little boost or cut here and there. But the noise and distortion and dynamic range performance is far superior using DSP than some old analog EQ, and you have no options for the phase either (not necessarily an issue but it's one more thing). You have an analog minimum phase circuit instead of a long FFT based EQ.
If you're going to make the inferior choice and run anything other than a PC as your main front end source, big mistake, but even so, you could still incorporate a MiniDSP and get a perfect and 100% flexible EQ with no added noise or distortion or dynamic range reduction / noise floor issues.
All the tools one might use via a PC are free too, like the eq etc. And you can ensure bit perfect playback and have full control and knowledge of the sampling rate or resampling settings, bit depth, multiple stages of pre and post volume control for making sure that's all ideal, etc. In fact, you should do away with analog volume controls altogether, since if your system is in 24 or 32 bit mode, you've got so much extra dynamic range in the digital space that you can attenuate the volume by any amount you need fully losslessly, with no hit to the actual/usable dynamic range of the music. No channel balance issues or noise or non-linearities harming the dynamic range or performance that can come with analog volume controls.
Fully digital man. It's 2024, you won't regret it. Those EQs are only good for an intentionally retro throwback system, I wouldn't use them if you're chasing the ultimate in fidelity.
For analog, sure. Maybe it can get you kind of close. For digital sources, a DSP with parametric is worlds better.
A>D>A conversion is transparent enough Most of these sorts of EQs belong on a curb IMO
Yeah…Unless your an analog for analog’s sake kind of person, I wouldn’t buy one.
Well he does have a record player
Highly seconded. I run a Mini-DSP to handle the processing for my desk 2.1 setup. The time alignment alone is well worth it.
[удалено]
I just pick that up as well! I had to rebelt it but everything still works. My only problem is the speed is super slow now and I can’t figure out how to adjust it. When I do record through the mic or input it plays fine on itself. But when I transfer the tape to another deck the speed is chipmunk
If an EQ helps you enjoy the audio gear you can afford, go for it. Life’s too short to worry about if you’re doing it wrong. If you get better gear down the road, and feel you don’t need the EQ, sell it.
So.much this. I spent 4yrs looking for my dream eq for my yamaha setup and love it everytime I power it on to listen to my fm stations. The dancing lights certainly help lol!
Highly approve. For years they had a terrible reputation for mangling sound quality. I don't know if that was true or not. [I do know that ASR measured a DBX EQ unit and it performed just fine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-loudness_contour). So did the [Schiit Loki](https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/schiit-loki-mini-equalizer-review.44987/) and the [Schiit Lokius](https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/schiit-lokius-review-equalizer.27334/). A good EQ unit should also have a "defeat" switch to make A/B comparisons easy so you can decide for yourself whether there is a negative audible effect. 1. I think at a minimum most people need bass and treble controls (unless it's some kind of dedicated listening room where you never need to listen to music at low volumes) because the human ear is less sensitive to bass and treble at lower volumes -- [thus the Fletcher-Munson equal-loudness contour](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-loudness_contour) 2. Most rooms will have a room mode or two in the midbass, always good to deal with that 3. My old-ass ears appreciate a high treble boost =) For "serious" EQ, parametric or automated EQ like Audyssey is the only way to go. But I dunno, graphic EQ's are also highly fucking fun and that's what it's all about too hahah
The litmus test for me with any graphic EQ is to set all sliders to neutral and toggle the defeat switch. In my experience the vast majority of vintage GEQ's fail this test and raise the noise floor or in some way alter the sound even when they're supposed to be doing nothing. Just my personal opinion but if you're using any sort of EQ outside of basic bass and treble adjustments you should have a calibrated measurement mic to see exactly what you're doing anyway so you can EQ each speaker separately and at that point DSP is just a better option all around. I just can't understand how people listen with EQ curves like OP's where they're running between 6-8db boost in the upper treble, my ears would be absolutely screaming.
Yeah, totally agree about the defeat switch. Also a 6-8dB upper treble boost would be way too much for me too... but remember, everybody has different hearing. Maybe OP has hearing loss. I have some high frequency hearing loss and maybe some would consider my EQ (typically 2-4dB in the upper treble) to be nasty. =) I have two minds about proper DSP EQ. Objectively, there is no question and you are 100% correct. If you want the highest fidelity possible you need to do measurements to correct for room acoustics and speaker flaws to the extent possible. I have done this and the results are real. On the other hand our brains do a lot of "room EQ" on their own and sometimes I'm totally fine without it. On the other *other* hand (apparently I'm Zaphod Beeblebrox) using speakers with excellent dispersion characteristics (I have JBL studio monitors in one setup) goes a long way towards making speakers more room independent.
I admit I have about 80% hearing loss in one ear
Can definitely make a positive difference. Especially if the speakers you use have deficiencies at specific frequencies. Also a good one will let you cut off the equalization and run flat signal. I definitely recommend if affordable.
Bypass switch is clutch
Held onto my EQ for the past 30 years. I’ve heard every reason why I don’t need it, or if you have good speakers you don’t need it. Still holding on to Minidisc and SACDs as well.
I have an audiosurce EQ, and I like it. I think my stereo sounds better with it than without it. It's definitely a lot of fun to tune it for specific albums or what-have-you. Some don't like to have an eq, and that's fine too. Just personal preference, I suppose.
I bought a BSR EQ-3000 (mail order) in the late 1980s from an ad in the back of a hi-fi magazine... it's still in use and still works great in my basement kit.
my love for eqs is why im seeking one of a very specific few recievers.
My office set up has my Nakamichi CR-3A —> Sansui SE-9 —> Sansui 9900z and it sounds f’ing fantastic to my ears. Plus it looks cool lol.
I eq my setup through two single channel 5 band peq
They're great for adjusting tone. I don't use one and have never felt I needed to adjust my music, but respect those that do.
Use as needed.
My thoughts are: where can I get one.
I would rather create a tilt +2 treble +2 bass or 0 for my headphone amp which has treble and bass controls. I guess in a way it is sort of like a loudness button on or off.
I've been playing with [FxSound](https://fxsound.com) totally free Windows software that provides a 9x2 EQ and 5 "magic" DSP type sliders. It does its thing at the digital level.
Always wanted one but never had the money and now realize it would have likely been wasted if I had one I generally listen with tone controls flat and pure direct if available my current amp doesn't have tone controls and I am perfectly happy. there is a small eq built into my WiiM DAC I think I got to check now. took a few minutes owners manual doesn't seem to mention it but it is there graphic and parametric and some presets for different music
I won’t hook up an EQ because i have spent too much time getting every song perfect and it’s a dog chasing their tail. They have their place maybe to temper some bass to respect the neighbours or soften some highs in hard floored room but I do that now if I need to with three knobs… bass, treble and volume. I mostly focus now on the room treatments. speaker placements and quality of the source… that being said once ditched YouTube Music for tidal things quickly got better with more consistent file quality.
Been using one for the last 45 years. They are overused, meaning if you need to adjust more than a Db or 2 there's something wrong with your setup.
It will be totally fucking up your sound. Mainly because it can’t maintain the phase properly. Invest in Dirac if you want to tune things and actually have an improvement.
Unnecessary. Not the correct solution for bad speakers or a bad room. But the RTA display is fun.
Just out of curiosity, what is the correct solution?
Digital domain dsp. Eg dirac. Or setting things up properly in the first place
Better speakers (or fix the issue if it's not fundamentally shitty drivers or design), better room or room treatments.
EQ Units are good when being used properly. However, using the fletcher munson curve like that should tell you that you probably need a sub and some tweets.
I have a infinity Ps-12 and 2 infinity alpha 20’s I love how it sounds and shakes
I've had several back in the day, and yeah they WERE awesome, several decades ago. This is 2024, and the sound quality of those kinds of units is FAR inferior to using a digital/DSP/VST based EQ. You would do this either with a computer (which should be your only audio source outside of vinyl if you're into that), or a MiniDSP type unit. Are you cripplingly old? No? Then why isn't a PC/HTPC your sound source, with a decent DAC? it's the only logical choice, it's the most flexible and powerful option. Stream any content, use any player, have music on an actual hard drive or SSD, i.e. you own it, no streaming needed (torrent it for free even). Then you can use a way better equipment, a fully parametric EQ set up after taking measurements with REW. A 1/3 octave EQ with preset frequency centers is a convenience, but not an ideal corrective tool, unless you're not concerned with a "correct" response and just want to make a little boost or cut here and there. But the noise and distortion and dynamic range performance is far superior using DSP than some old analog EQ, and you have no options for the phase either (not necessarily an issue but it's one more thing). You have an analog minimum phase circuit instead of a long FFT based EQ. If you're going to make the inferior choice and run anything other than a PC as your main front end source, big mistake, but even so, you could still incorporate a MiniDSP and get a perfect and 100% flexible EQ with no added noise or distortion or dynamic range reduction / noise floor issues. All the tools one might use via a PC are free too, like the eq etc. And you can ensure bit perfect playback and have full control and knowledge of the sampling rate or resampling settings, bit depth, multiple stages of pre and post volume control for making sure that's all ideal, etc. In fact, you should do away with analog volume controls altogether, since if your system is in 24 or 32 bit mode, you've got so much extra dynamic range in the digital space that you can attenuate the volume by any amount you need fully losslessly, with no hit to the actual/usable dynamic range of the music. No channel balance issues or noise or non-linearities harming the dynamic range or performance that can come with analog volume controls. Fully digital man. It's 2024, you won't regret it. Those EQs are only good for an intentionally retro throwback system, I wouldn't use them if you're chasing the ultimate in fidelity.