Equalization and Tone Controls

[voicebug]

Since most of us here obviously appreciate attaining the best sound possible; what is the general concensus regarding graphic equalizers and use of tone controls on your systems? For years, I fiddled and faddled with my BSR 10 band equalizer trying to get that perfect sound. Someone had told me once that they didn't bother with equalizers and always kept their bass and treble controls in the middle, neutral position.
One day out of frustration, I disconnected my equalizer and set my tone controls to the 12 o'clock position.
Once I got used to the 'flat' sound, it seemed like the details started to emerge from many of my recordings. And, of course, the best part, the hiss that used to accompany the boosted highs on my eq smiley face pattern was gone as well.

Now, gang. Tell me. Did I go too far avoiding any type of eq or tone control, or is this the best way to go?

Thanks!

[Joel Cairo]

Well, if it makes you feel any better, Frank Zappa wanted to eliminate them entirely from consumer-level equipment...

..but he could be a bit of a grouch, sometimes. :D

(And obviously didn't care that eveyone else's listening environment wasn't exactly like his!)

-Kevin

[Gary]

An equalizer used to be a fun tool for me! Put it between the preamp and amp - an exotic Bass / Treble control. Got crappy sound quality that way, though!

When I took it out, the sound quality improved drastically! This especially noticeable once I started upgrading my components, too! Actually it used to reside between my Harmon Kardon HK825 pre and HK 870 amp which were the top of the line back in '85 or so. I now realize that these components are pretty well made and sound really nice - for solid state!

The only way I'd put a EQ in my system now is thru a tape loop. And frankly, I'm not interested anymore! Don't think I need or want one!

Voicebug, I dare say that you've taken the first step in improving your listening experience! Congratulations - and beware! There is always a better component ot there - ULP!!! :)

PS Steve said once that audiophiles and "junior" audiophiles would not dream of putting an equalizer between the pre and amp as the sound is so critical at that stage....

Have fun!

[Highway Star]

My preamp has a built in parametric EQ w/3 separate bands and numerous slope settings. I rarely use it (the EQ) but it's nice to have when needed. There's also a circuitry bypass switch that switches out everything except the volume control, that's the setting I use most (it bypasses the balance circuitry too).

[Khorn]

Originally posted by telefunken
My preamp has a built in parametric EQ w/3 separate bands and numerous slope settings. I rarely use it (the EQ) but it's nice to have when needed. There's also a circuitry bypass switch that switches out everything except the volume control, that's the setting I use most (it bypasses the balance circuitry too).

I also had a 3 band Parametric EQ (Tascam) that I used in my system as a broad room correction filter. After I took it out of my system I realized how it's inherent distortion was sabotaging the ultimate clarity and musicality of the sound. Took it to a dealer to sell, somebody borrowed it and never brought it back. Don't miss it at all, good riddance to it!

[Dave]

voicebug,

My system doesn't have either an EQ. or tone controls and sounds pretty wonderfull...for a SS system. Gary can confirm this.;) Now if I could just afford a nice tube power amp.:sigh: Oh well, everything in it's time.

[Sckott]

My tube system does not employ tone control. Simple amplification, good speakers, who needs tone?

the SS system upstairs does and sometimes needs that help. Electrostatic speakers get weird like that.

[Grant]

Originally posted by voicebug
Since most of us here obviously appreciate attaining the best sound possible; what is the general concensus regarding graphic equalizers and use of tone controls on your systems? For years, I fiddled and faddled with my BSR 10 band equalizer trying to get that perfect sound. Someone had told me once that they didn't bother with equalizers and always kept their bass and treble controls in the middle, neutral position.
One day out of frustration, I disconnected my equalizer and set my tone controls to the 12 o'clock position.
Once I got used to the 'flat' sound, it seemed like the details started to emerge from many of my recordings. And, of course, the best part, the hiss that used to accompany the boosted highs on my eq smiley face pattern was gone as well.

Now, gang. Tell me. Did I go too far avoiding any type of eq or tone control, or is this the best way to go?

Thanks!
Hi! Welcome! Your experience was the exact same thing I experienced back in the early 1982. I guess that is the real point of when I bacame this "audiophile".
At present, I do not use tone controls-I leave them turned off, switched out of the circuitry. My 10-band EQ has been in the closet gathering dust for years.

EQ's are not evil. They have their places and uses for certain people. I just choose to play everything flat. It takes a while to get used to "flat" sound, but when you do, the music will open up. I swear, when I changed that day, I went through my whole record collection to rediscover what I had muddied up before!

Welcome to the world of the audiophile!

[Khorn]

Originally posted by Grant
EQ's are not evil. They have their places and uses for certain people. I just choose to play everything flat. It takes a while to get used to "flat" sound, but when you do, the music will open up

What Grant states in the above is accurate but only in very specific situations such as a true "Near Field" listening one. Don't forget one very important component in your system and that is THE ROOM ITSELF!.
While you may have the EQ in a system set to "FLAT" or indeed, not have an equalizer or tone control in your system at all, the room you are in or in other words the space that your systems sound output is loaded into, is what ultimately determines the "flatness" or variation to the same that you hear at your listening position.

Taking the above into account it's NOT the fact that you are using EQ that causes degradation to the sound but the distortion of the EQ circuitry that is introduced to the reproduction chain then amplified that screws up the final result. The simple fact is that in most listening situations, even if the sound is what you perceive as "flat" as it leaves your speakers the room itself is going to alter that sound so it's not going to be the same when your ears pick it up from where you are seated. This is the reason why it is so difficult and requires very highly trained experts to construct good listening spaces like concert halls where, in many cases, the hall design itself can make or break sound output even from a live, acoustic unamplified performance.

What's the answer? Well room treatments of various kinds from simply re-arranging your furniture or adding/subtracting sound absorbing material such as carpeting and drapes all the way up to purchasing or hiring a professional to design custom room treatments can be used. Most of us wouldn't/couldn't avail ourselves of the latter option.

Good quality minimal distortion EQ electronics can be had but most likely at a cost that is so far out of proportion to what most of us would be willing or able to spend that it becomes a non-issue therefore, by using methods described above we can help "tailor our sound" to our liking without introducing any electronic distortion.

If the above don't make no sense to you it's ok 'cause I probably don't know what I am talkin' about anyway.

Thank you Ladies & Gentlemen, Thank you.

[hfloyd5]

I had a Soundcrafsman Preamp-Equalizer many years ago and could never get it set to my satisfaction. My current rig has no tone controls and being relieved of the requirement to EQ my system is a great relief. I think any tone controls add some distortion to the system. After all, it is another layer of electronics.

[Paul Chang]

Press the bypass button if there is one. :agree:

[HeavyDistortion]

I have just purchased a Krell KAV 300i integrated amplifier that has only a volume control, and no tone controls. It appears that I will be taking a big step forward, because I have almost always used an equalizer in my stereo system. When my Krell arrives in a couple of weeks, I will be taking the equalizer out of the loop, and be left to hear music in a new, and hopefully, better way. I'm looking forward to this new way of listening.



HeavyDistortion