graphic equalizers-are they still relevant?

[narayan]

i still have an idle yamaha 10-band graphic equalizer just sitting inside the cabinet...

with today's trend of not even having tone controls in pre-amps and receivers, what do you suggest that i use it for in either audio and ht set-up? thanks

[audioslave]

i have a Pioneer 7-band graphic equalizer and a Yamaha 10-band graphic equalizer.....

just like yours, they're just gathering dust and had been sitting in ages in my other rack ;D

[Octaver]

Before I have my Pioneer GR-777 10 band equalizer with Spectrum analyzer. They are very good for Pro-use. Outside sounds need a lot of frequency conpensation for some losses because of open areas or big space.

For home use, it only adds sound colorations.

[JojoD818]

Octaver said:

Before I have my Pioneer GR-777 10 band equalizer with Spectrum analyzer. They are very good for Pro-use. Outside sounds need a lot of frequency conpensation for some losses because of open areas or big space.

For home use, it only adds sound colorations.

I have a GR-777 too, and it still works.

Anyway, equalizers are supposed to equalize or rather compensate for room acoustics, and other irregularities.

But it seems that purists are veering away from these devices and likes or prefers the natural ala vintage way of reproducing music which is plain old source - amp - speaker. in the old days, speakers means a full range speaker. ;D

[Octaver]

JojoD818 said:

I have a GR-777 too, and it still works.

Anyway, equalizers are supposed to equalize or rather compensate for room acoustics, and other irregularities.

But it seems that purists are veering away from these devices and likes or prefers the natural ala vintage way of reproducing music which is plain old source - amp - speaker. in the old days, speakers means a full range speaker. ;D

Equalizer are made to suite your taste, before I have a very updated music gears starting from top of the line equalizer to CD player PD8030 & a JVC reference Integrated Amplifier with built-in DAC for digital input.

If you have equalizer you don't need expensive interconnects & speaker cable hehehe, maybe you don't need accessories like spikes & isolation pads etch2.

Ito pa, we don't need audiophile CDs & other reference CDs.

Now, kahit BAss & Treble wala na rin? (Of course I saw tube amp made by mang Rod with Bass & Treble adjustment) Sa what you need is the following:
- Better Source
- Better Interconnects
- Better Speaker Cable
- Better Tube Amplifier (Of course with beeter Tubes)
and most of all....Better CDs ot Vinyl because your goal now is to play it the way the sound record engineer intend to play it. (Isn't it Crazy?)

[JojoD818]

I believe the problem lies with the user. Over compensation of a certain frequency can make or break your listening pleasure. I remember those Meycauyan - Recto bound jeepneys whose stereo only produces the highs and the lows and the mids were left out. ;D ;D ;D

[narayan]

JojoD818 said:

I believe the problem lies with the user. Over compensation of a certain frequency can make or break your listening pleasure. I remember those Meycauyan - Recto bound jeepneys whose stereo only produces the highs and the lows and the mids were left out. ;D ;D ;D

oonga...even the vocals e sumasagitsit sa tweeters na separates pa ;D ;D ;D

[kimpao]

in other words kanya-kanya lang trip yan. ;D ;D ;D

[JojoD818]

kimpao said:

in other words kanya-kanya lang trip yan. ;D ;D ;D

tama ka senor, kaso yun mga pasahero hindi trip yun halos mapunit na ear drums sa lakas nun Pioneer PT-6 horn tweeters! ;D ;D

anyway, just an example on how anyone can abuse the controls of an eq and ruin the original recording.

[kimpao]

yup, "you hit the spot", doc. It's basically knowing how to use the gear rather simply doing the infamous "smiley face" face configuration on the equalizer. ;D

[Timn8ter]

Unfortunately most people don't have RTA software to measure in-room frequency response. I suppose it's possible to use test tones and a SPL meter to measure the response at the center frequencies of the graphic equalizer. Probably better than "guessing".

[JojoD818]

Timn8ter said:

Unfortunately most people don't have RTA software to measure in-room frequency response. I suppose it's possible to use test tones and a SPL meter to measure the response at the center frequencies of the graphic equalizer. Probably better than "guessing".

Hi Tim,

Of course, some form of quantitative analysis will always be better in judging a room's acoustical gain/loss. The only problem is the users abuse of the eq controls to suit his/her particular needs. ;D

[psychodreamer]

I've also been thinking about getting an equalizer, but preferebly sana yung parametric type, so that the center frequency ang Q would be adjustable.... but the other day, i saw a 31-band equalizer on sale, and I'm thinking about getting it.

Maybe a 31-band graphic eq isn't that bad since the center frequencies are closer to each other?

[JojoD818]

psychodreamer said:

I've also been thinking about getting an equalizer, but preferebly sana yung parametric type, so that the center frequency ang Q would be adjustable.... but the other day, i saw a 31-band equalizer on sale, and I'm thinking about getting it.

Maybe a 31-band graphic eq isn't that bad since the center frequencies are closer to each other?

When I was a young boy ;D, I also did an extensive research on eqs (up to a point where I even DIYed them), for such an eq that has 31 center freqs, it has to be an MFB (short for Multiple Feedback Bandpass) design that could attain a "constant Q". Otherwise, such a close band-gap could overlap and cause phase shifts due to extreme dips and peaks in the bandpass region.

As long as it's a constant Q, you could go away with a 31 band eq.

Cheers,
JojoD

[JojoD818]

I just remembered those Better, Crown, and Audio Research EQs, they have 31-band controls and they won't rip your pocket. But a Behringer Feedback Destroyer EQ can shred the pesos in a man's wallet. ;D

Here is my 10-band MFB Constant Q project that I built for my brother a few years back...



Happy Hunting!

[psychodreamer]

If I had the flexibility and the resources to use room treatments and position my speakers where it sounds best, I'd prefer not to use the eq, para mas thrilling ang quest for better sound...

But then, upgrade muna siguro ng speakers even before I think about it things such as room treatment... ;D

for now, the 31-band graphic eq seems tempting...

[Timn8ter]

Acoustical Engineers use EQs often.
www.rivesaudio.com/PARC/PARCframe.html

[avphile]

psychodreamer said:

I've also been thinking about getting an equalizer, but preferebly sana yung parametric type, so that the center frequency ang Q would be adjustable.... but the other day, i saw a 31-band equalizer on sale, and I'm thinking about getting it.

Maybe a 31-band graphic eq isn't that bad since the center frequencies are closer to each other?

Those 31 band equalizers seem impressive. But precisely because their response can never be as precise and accurate as parametrics that they should be avoided. Boosting or trimming one band will have similar effects on the adjacent center frequencies unless you have an adjustable Q or bandwidth that only parametrics have.

[avphile]

Timn8ter said:

Acoustical Engineers use EQs often.
www.rivesaudio.com/PARC/PARCframe.html

But I suppose they're the parametric types.

All studio recording engineers have such devices at their disposal when capturing a studio performance. Whether they use it or not is their call.

Audiophiles who prefer not to have any sound shaping cicuits along the audio path blithefully accept the fact that they are at the mercy of recording engineers. ;D That's why they spend so much on esoteric lrecord abels that are known to make audiophile pressings and who do not use any sound shaping devices on their recording path, apart from using microphones that cost more than a home playback system. ;D

[avphile]

[quote author=psychodreamer link=board=audio&thread=1109861621&start=15#1 But then, upgrade muna siguro ng speakers even before I think about it things such as room treatment... ;D

[/quote]

Upgrading gears can be thrilling. Room treatments can be a bore. That is often the mistake many audiophiles commit. They consider room treatments as an afterthought and spend sums on upgrading hardware and they are often puzzled why their new systems can't sound as good as when they heard them in showrooms.

The trick really lies on room accoustics. Many AV showrooms were designed by accoustic engineers to bring out the best of their merchandise. (Those Bose showrooms are a shining example on how to make garbage sound best to justify highway robbery. ;D)

The finest sound systems will sound lousy in an untreated room. While even a modest system can sound gorgeous is a well treated room.

So don't forget about room treatments. What you hear may only 50% or less coming from your speakers. The rest comes from your room. ;D