Presence control with switchable frequencies on a receiver

[Raphaz]

My R-2000 has a Presence Control dial with a switch for selecting center frequencies of 0.8 kHz, 1.6 kHz and 3.2 kHz. According to the user manual, it is meant for suppressing "overobtrusive" (I like that word!) instrument parts or bringing out a vocal part. I'm assuming that in the case of my receiver, the switch only comes into play after I dial left or right of noon/flat. Flat means probably no "filtering" is happening. Is that correct? It's like defeating specific frequencies?
Do any of you have a frequency suppression option like that on your receivers? Do you guys ever use this?

The other thing is the Loudness Control, which (if I understand it correctly) compensates for frequencies that are harder to hear at lower volumes. I'm not using it frequently, but when I do, it's a bit easier for me to grasp. However, after all that time, I'm still unsure whether it does for my ears what it's supposed to do.

I'd like to understand the two functions a bit better. If anyone can shed some light on this, that'd be great. I'm also wondering if that's a feature exclusive to higher-end receivers, or if it was a common feature in receivers of the eighties and then faded. Do newer receivers still have some of that built in? And I wonder if any of you use these and see value in them?
I'm not overly familiar with all these terms and technicalities, so please bear with me; the simpler the explanations, the better.

Gimmyck or genius?

 

[Raphaz]

I just wanted to add that I'm not interested in the Spatial Expander. While it seemed like an interesting and unique feature to play with at first, I'm no longer using it, as it led to problems and repairs with the previous two R-2000s I owned. I'm not touching that!

 

[Blue Shadow]

The Presence control is midrange boost or cut, nothing should change with control centered as you mentioned. The center frequency for this +/- is one of the three selectable. Use it excessively to learn what it changes wrt to frequency and amount of boost or cut.

The loudness is variable. More compensation at lower settings (when you turn the compensation ccw.) It lowers volume and boosts bass and treble to compensate for natural hear sensitivity.

I always thought a variable loudness like this should be the large knob and the volume same or smaller. The you would use this larger knob and get some compensation even at slightly reduced loud listening which is appropriate for how our ears work. But many don’t want to use any loudness so the big volume knob is for them.