Graphic Equalizer

[thisOne]

Greetings to you all from a relative newcomer to vintage audio (although the addiction is beginning to consume me already)

I have a question regarding graphic equalizers. Considering that I have read number of opinions posted in various threads here regarding listening to music with the pre-amp or receiver control set to flat (or in other words to listen to music without equipment controlled enhancement of Bass, Mid or Trebble) why then are there graphic equalizers.

Do any of you use a graphic equalizer in your system? and why and how does it improve the sound?

Thanks in advance for all of your advice and opinions.

 

[shrinkboy]

the graphic EQ takes tone controls and further divides them into 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 or more frequencies, giving you control over each level. on some, they have level slider controls for each channel. the idea is to use the EQ to correct for idiosyncrasies of the listening environment. the more sophisticated ones have a microphone and a pink noise generator that you play through your speakers with the microphone 'listening'-- you then adjust tone controls until the EQ reads 'flat'....

in reality, probably most who use them just tune the sound to their particular taste. i would also say that most people have gotten away from using them, and on higher end preamps and integrateds you will find no tone controls at all. seems like the audiophile prefers his or her recordings the way the engineer intended them, and prefer to adjust the listening environment rather than the electronics....

i'd say find a good one, they aren't expensive on the used market, try it out, and see if you like it. if you don't you can sell it back .....

 

[Pioneer24]

Welcome to the addiction, I mean hobby.

I have used an EQ over the years for the following reasons:

1. emphasize certain sound aspects of specific songs/artists
2. adjust for poor recordings
3. adjust for room conditions
4. fine tune any of the above when the pre-amp or receiver controls just can't do the job.

5. most importantly, you get to purchase one more piece of vintage audio equipment!!!

 

[Yamaha Nutz]

I use mine sparingly w/subtle changes to offset acoustical environment. Now when you say EQ, I assume you mean a 10 band? Personally speaking, anything >10 band you're farting in the wind. With newer technology, there is less need for EQ, as opposed to the 60/70's components/integrated units IMO.

Just be advised for every external component you add, you degrade signal and CAN (not will) introduce more noise into your system.

Again, there are many schools of thought on this subject matter. I recently asked the same question on Audiogon, and got several different responses. I generally only use my PEQ (internal Pre-Amp parametric) since IMO, my Yamaha equipment is cleaner that the Soundcraftsman EQ.

 

[nathanso]

I've had a Behringer DEQ2496 in my system full-time for the last 9-months or so and I love it. Every speaker I've used sounds better with DEQ2496 AutoEQ in place.

 

[RichPA]

I've had a Behringer DEQ2496 in my system full-time for the last 9-months or so and I love it. Every speaker I've used sounds better with DEQ2496 AutoEQ in place.

Same here, a great device and an amazing bargain.

 

[JerryM]

I have an Audiocontrol C-101. It's a 10 band unit with a spectrum analyzer. It's decent quality mid-level equipment--but not professional grade. My listening room has several floor to ceiling windows and is kinda bright, so I just use it to compensate for room acoustics. Works fine for me.

 

[Yamaha1]

Speaking of equalizers, anyone here familiar with BBE Sonic Maximizer, was quite popular in the 80s, I used them to good result with my dbx Soundfield and JBL speakers.