Why are equalizers not more popular?

[cartop]

I have one, An ADC Sound Shaper ss 100 sl and I use it. It is just another way for me to help my 2 channel rig sound better to me when my tone controls need a little help, mostly I leave it set where most songs sound fine. I tweek it every now and then but it can drive you crazy like onwardjames mentioned.

 

[imral3]

I used to be pretty deep into car audio. Often found myself pulled over on the side of the road, or in a random parking lot, running to the trunk to tweak/adjust. Drive 5 minutes then pull over again. Etc, etc. Similar with home audio... set it, enjoy it, hate it, "fix" it, hate it more, "fix" it again, nope not quite right, blah, blah blah. Been happier without tone controls in my system. True, some albums, and even songs on a given album, will sound better than others - it's the nature of the beast. I will admit to boosting the bass knob (digital on phone) a notch or two for my headphone setup. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Enjoy the music as you see fit!!

 

[GChief]

can drive you crazy like onwardjames mentioned.

this is why I was very happy when I got to the point that I can get rid of mine. touching those little sliders is worse than a crack habit.

 

[twitch54]

Why isn't telling the truth more popular?

Because 'fake news' sells ..........

 

[GChief]

I will admit to boosting the bass knob (digital on phone) a notch or two

You silly kids and your rattling license plates.

 

[SoCal Sam]

Because 'fake news' sells ..........

Bite my tongue, bite my tongue.

 

[JoeESP9]

Those who listen to mostly classical music tend not to want to second guess the recording engineer. I/We/They often have no tone controls and sometimes no balance control. IME Classical and jazz recordings generally tend to be higher quality (better sounding) recordings than a lot of pop/rock. So there is less need to "fix" a recording. In any case, as others have said. "First fix/correct the room acoustics".

I haven't had tone controls since the middle 80's. However, I use a DSP that's adjusted using REW and a calibrated mic. It's used in a set and forget mode.I suppose if I listened to more pop/rock I'd probably feel different. So much of it is so dreadfully recorded/mastered, it begs for help.

 

[SoCal Sam]

Simple question. I don’t see many in home systems and rarely in cars. I had one in my 77 Olds and it really improved the sound.

Thanks for your answers.

I had an EQ in my 1982 Firebird. Remember that one? Yup, Kit! It really helped to dial in my system. Naturally, my killer stereo system got stolen but at least they left the car behind.

 

[toddalin]

Except for the used/vintage market, people don't much need them anymore.

Most anyone who would buy new equipment and use one, will get it already built in (e.g., audassity, YPAO, etc.) and "purests" who would poo poo them can buy still higher-end equipment with fewer features that omit them.

When I used my Yamaha DSP-A1 (with typical tape monitoring circuits), I used Yamaha 31-band eqs on the L/C/R channels. When I went to the Yamaha RX-Z9 with full digital eq, YPAO, etc., Yamaha omitted these tape monitoring circuits and the easiest way was to put it between the preamp and amp sections. But this added audible noise and the Yamaha does a good job with its YPAO when engaged, so they came out of the system and now reside in a closet.

 

[imral3]

You silly kids and your rattling license plates.

Nah, I had Dynamat behind my license plate.

 

[GChief]

Nah, I had Dynamat behind my license plate.

I can rattle the license plate on the Tiny House with a 6wpc tube amp... wait that’s a different thread

 

[DeeCee]

I used to be pretty deep into car audio. Often found myself pulled over on the side of the road, or in a random parking lot, running to the trunk to tweak/adjust. Drive 5 minutes then pull over again. Etc, etc. Similar with home audio... set it, enjoy it, hate it, "fix" it, hate it more, "fix" it again, nope not quite right, blah, blah blah. Been happier without tone controls in my system. True, some albums, and even songs on a given album, will sound better than others - it's the nature of the beast. I will admit to boosting the bass knob (digital on phone) a notch or two for my headphone setup. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Enjoy the music as you see fit!!

Back in the day, I cheated: I EQ’d the cassette tapes I recorded. No fuss, no muss! I didn’t believe in pre-recorded tapes (we used to call them “pre-wrecked”! Har! )

 

[vwestlife]

A lot of it is because when equalizers first started becoming popular, there was a concerted effort by hi-fi dealers to discourage people from using them and to spread doubt about their alleged negative effects on sound quality, because they were worried that equalizers could make cheap speakers sound like more expensive speakers.

Although, those same hi-fi dealers often secretly used equalizers (and pre-equalized demo tapes) to help make the audio components and speakers they were selling sound better in the showroom!

 

[ultumax]

Simple question. I don’t see many in home systems and rarely in cars. I had one in my 77 Olds and it really improved the sound.

Thanks for your answers.

Equalizer are usually built into today’s high end gear . Do they still sell separate ones ?
They can be very useful !!
All good old school systems had a eq.

 

[bluesky]

EQs are fine if you need one.

 

[mgosdin]

Unlike @onwardjames I have EQ's in my Main & Nearfield systems and rarely touch them.

The Main system I used it to correct some issues with the room ( WAF discourages room treatments at this time. ) and once set I have pretty much forgotten it is there.

The Nearfield doesn't need the EQ except for playing certain cassettes which have age issues.

Mark Gosdin

 

[Nixxuz]

I mentioned this in another forum, but with all of the "I don't need any EQ" Unless you are running sweeps and testing the FR, and also testing your hearing, you actually don't know if you need any adjustments. I know my hearing drops off after 14khz, so I attenuate those frequencies, and the ones slightly below, higher to compensate for the shitty equipment I can't actually upgrade; my ears.

 

[DaveVoorhis]

Equalizer are usually built into today’s high end gear .

No.

Do they still sell separate ones ?

Yes.

They can be very useful !!

Maybe.

All good old school systems had a eq.

No.

 

[GChief]

I mentioned this in another forum, but with all of the "I don't need any EQ" Unless you are running sweeps and testing the FR, and also testing your hearing, you actually don't know if you need any adjustments. I know my hearing drops off after 14khz, so I attenuate those frequencies, and the ones slightly below, higher to compensate for the shitty equipment I can't actually upgrade; my ears.

What about those of us who have done those things and still don’t need EQ? Is that ok/allowed, I’m not sure at this point

 

[HTHMAN]

A lot of the 80's rack systems had them built in. Every one I ever saw had the U-curve profile to the sliders. Probably to compensate for the lack of bass and treble of the rack speakers.