• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Tone Controls?

C

cassette

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
Hi all,

So, after a number of years of playing with and reading about audio equipment but with a small budget, I am wondering how many use the bass/treble controls on a regular basis as part of the set up. When I read manuals, etc., they talk about a defeat pathway that bypasses all the tone controls so the circuit is "cleaner". This makes me feel badly for using tone controls since I am no longer 'cleaner" , lol

Anyway, do you use the bass/treble controls or an equalizer as part of your normal system setup? Right now I have brought my ESS Model 10s in from the garage and they have a really bright (painfully so) Philips tweeter. I turn the treble down and it helps tremendously, but I feel bad for doing so. How do you set things up? Thanks!

A
 
Register to hide this ad
It's your system and your ears. We have no say on what's right and wrong for you.

Personally, I keep mine flat but, on some occasions, I'll tweak them a bit for certain recordings. Then again, I play some recordings from the thirties and forties so "flat" isn't really a concern here. Most modern recordings do just fine on flat.

That being said, I don't believe one should be depend on to compensate for a failure in other parts of the system. IIWY, I'd be looking for different speakers that sound right to you. No matter how many people swear by some speakers, they might not e to your liking.
 
Last edited:
They are there to be used.... The music should please you, that's the first rule I would say. What's the point if it's "purist" or whatever if you don't like it?!
 
Good Old Days... :beatnik:

GODays.png


Back then no one complained that HPM-100 sounded too bright
 
Frank Sol said:
Correct

More knobs the better back then
Click to expand...

People in the 70s loved playing with knobs! ;)

On topic, use the tone controls to shape the sound as you please OP. I use the defeat on my amp because it sounds best to me flat. Listen to what your ears say, not what other people have to say.
 
If you do a search, you'll find pages of posts on tone controls and equalizers. You'll get lots of opinions.

In a perfect world, you wouldn't have to fix "painfully bright" tweeters. I can understand why you'd attenuate the top in that case.
 
In my experience bright sounding speakers is usually due to the upper midrange and not the treble frequencies, maybe it's just my ears but theres something about the 2 - 8K reigion that rapes my ears with some speakers. Placing speakers on the floor and toeing in really helps.
 
cassette said:
Hi all,

So, after a number of years of playing with and reading about audio equipment but with a small budget, I am wondering how many use the bass/treble controls on a regular basis as part of the set up. When I read manuals, etc., they talk about a defeat pathway that bypasses all the tone controls so the circuit is "cleaner". This makes me feel badly for using tone controls since I am no longer 'cleaner" , lol

Anyway, do you use the bass/treble controls or an equalizer as part of your normal system setup? Right now I have brought my ESS Model 10s in from the garage and they have a really bright (painfully so) Philips tweeter. I turn the treble down and it helps tremendously, but I feel bad for doing so. How do you set things up? Thanks!

A
Click to expand...
I use the mid and treble on bright / harsh cds.Most of my listening is done with tone at flat and without use of the loudness control.But I do find Sonic Temple and Metalica Black grating at flat. There is no harm,no foul in using the tone,that's what they're for.
 
Eastham said:
In my experience bright sounding speakers is usually due to the upper midrange and not the treble frequencies, maybe it's just my ears but theres something about the 2 - 8K reigion that rapes my ears with some speakers. Placing speakers on the floor and toeing in really helps.
Click to expand...

Placing most bookshelf speakers on the floor has a tendency to make the bass boomy.
 
JoeESP9 said:
Placing most bookshelf speakers on the floor has a tendency to make the bass boomy.
Click to expand...

My Dovedales seem to like being on the floor, I tried them at ear level and lost a lot of bass but then again I'm in a pretty small 9 x 8ft room so that probably doesn't help with the bass. Plus I must confess I like a bit of thoom to bass guitars...
 
I usually run my bass control flat. My trebel I adjust up/down as needed per quality of the recording. For really harsh audio files I might compensate with some downticks. For general Radio and Vinyl / FLAC I might tweak to +1 or +2 and keep it there. my Pioneer S-500X speakers seem happy within that range without being overly bright.
 
Let me explain first that I use room EQ's to get the response of the speakers right for me in the first place. +/- 3 db from below 30 HZ to 4000 hz slightly rolling off 6 db to 18 kHz for the front and rear full range speakers. the side speakers using the same but fewer drivers follow the curve from 50 HZ up. Once that's accomplished conventional tone controls on the HT processor are quite amazing with their 1 db steps. The Stereo pre-amp with the 5 graphic controls is very necessary for analog LP recordings. The additional 12 band graphic EQ is used in the record processing loop to make dubs of analog sources to CD just so along with a 3BX and Model 119 to reduce noise and control dynamic range if necessary. I only use a db here or there sometimes 3 db with digital recordings to get the right perspective in the high frequencies or warming or drying the bass a touch. Some times techno movies are so extreme I have to turn down the LFE channels, too, they are so unrealistic. When the left and right speakers are used with the analog stereo mode with LP's, the 5 band graphic controls are vital as most records are rolled off intentionally below 50 hz . Now a few Direct to disc and limited addition discs are full spectrum but most pop discs are not. A few LP's are cut with to much pre- emphasis in the highs and need correction. A few over emphasize narrower frequencies and thats where the 12 band recording EQ inserted in the sound path way is most essential. Having been a musician when younger, a recording, engineer, mixed sound for live concerts, I have had many hours of experiencing recording and mixing sound. And depending on the mood I am I may want an upfront row experience or be immersed in a a large hall experience. Tone controls help touch up recordings a little here or there or can completely change the rendition of the performances. What I hate is when recording mix is continually changing the emphasis of the recording rather than let the musicians and conductor determine the over all balance. When thats done there is no hope, and sometimes tone changes are more detrimental. You can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom