Are equalizer usefull after all?

[joeparaski]

Hi guys, I read another perspective on equalizer from another audio forum that I am a memeber of. Here is what one guy has to say on eq's:


**May I suggest that equalizers set to the "smile" are not necessarily "incorrect"?
If you look at the Fletcher/Munson curves you will notice that our ears are at their "flattest" at around 100db/spl. Since most of us listen in the 80db area, it's pretty obvious that to have "flat" response we need to boost the bass! Once upon a time equipment makers provided a variable loudness control on their equipment - and it was quite effective! Nowadays - if there is a loudness button at all - it just boosts the bass (high frequency fall off was probably a result of the quality of their instruments of the time rather than actually happening. When we get older our own high frequencies response falls off, but that is also true when we listen to live music -so - it's a wash.)
Our ears are actually telling us what we already know - the sound is thin - and we are just restoring what is missing! **

Joe

[sickicw]

I used an eq on my receiver for a while, but after adding room treatments, i will never use an eq again. There is many reason why eqs are not idea, some of which are...
- They add more processing and add artifacts to the sound
- They do not fix decay time problems (and in some cases can add to the problem)
- If you boost the eq too much, it has the potental to max out the amp and possibly blow a speaker.
- Bass frequencies can change response drasticly by only moving a few inches.
- The audio engineer or producer that mixed the sound has already done all the processing that needs to be done with high end equipment. If you use an eq, you will not be hearing what the producer wants you to hear (assuming your equipment is up to the task).

[madmax]

If you look at the Fletcher/Munson curves you will notice that our ears are at their "flattest" at around 100db/spl. Since most of us listen in the 80db area, it's pretty obvious that to have "flat" response we need to boost the bass!

I won't buy into that one because if we listened to a live performance which just happened to be around 80db then listened to the recorded performance with the correction it would sound bass heavy compared to the original.
madmax

[danger boy]

the only EQ i use all the time is in my car. i think in car audio you can really benefit from an EQ. albiet, it's just the one that's built into the head unit.

[Gaara]

Interesting post, seems like the reason a lot of people like house curves on their sub's eq. I would think that if it was a big deal then the producers of cds would already adjust for the curve.

The main issue I see with it is if you turn up the music now your ears are more sensitive, and therefore the eq is doing to much. You would have to have different settings for different volume levels for it to work properly. I would prefer to be a little bass and treble shy at some volumes then to be to much at others.

Jared

[joeparaski]

You guys are assuming that the sound engineers did all the proper mix down and sound engineering when the cd was made. But according to posts I've read on this forum, there are plenty of cd's that are "bad" recordings, or cd's that have been engineered for boom boxes. "Crap In" before it even gets to the source?

If there are cd's that have been "crappily" recorded, are we also trying to faithfully reproduce the crap as well? And in the case of this crappy recording, couldn't an eq "correct" the crappiness so it can be less crappy.

I guess all in all, this is a pretty crappy post.

Joe

[hearingimpared]

I guess all in all, this is a pretty crappy post.

Joe

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaa

Good one Joey!!!!