AUDIO EQUALIZERS
and our philosophy on them.


                               "Are Equalizers really necessary? I just paid $30 grand for my speakers. They shouldn't need any EQ. Right!??"

Short answer is yes, an EQ will generally be beneficial to most systems.
     Most speaker designers strive to make a speaker's curve as "flat"* as their projected size parameters and target retail price will allow. The human hearing curve is not "flat". Most folks hearing is accentuated in the midrange (it's where the human voice is centered) and attenuated in the bass and treble. Sort of a reverse "rock-n-roll smile" curve. When you hear a good, "flat" response speaker, it will likely appear to have an over abundance of mids, at least for most listeners. It will also likely have a deficiency in bass and possibly treble. It will most likely sound  "thin", the degree of which can vary from slight to extreme, depending again, on many variables. This might not even be readily apparent when auditioning speakers, but generally if you hear a pair speakers with an appropriately adjusted, EQ engaged, then you listen to it bypassed, you will want to re-engage it as quickly as possible.
     The classic arguments against using an EQ have been that an EQ, or any additional inserted signal processing device, makes the signal path less "pure" and adds noise. Also, again, "these speakers were expensive and shouldn't need an EQ". To address the first point, this issue can usually be reduced to a more than desirable point by utilizing a high quality EQ or signal processor. The noise floor should certainly be below audible levels, and it doesn't take too much of an EQ to achive that for most folks systems.  While the first point is valid, a good EQ's benefits usually far outweigh the noise issues, which are probably below most listeners audible limits in the first place. The second issue was answered previously, in the above paragraph.   In fact, the better the speakers, the more they would likely benefit from a reduction of the midrange frequencies, due to their as "flat as possible" curve. Again, this would apply to the average persons hearing curve. Some "cheap" speakers, will have a "rock-n-roll smile" EQ curve built-in by utilizing drivers, crossover and cabinet combinations, that have an over abundance of bass and treble, and a deficit of mids by design. That would beg the question of "why wouldn't they all just do that then". The answer to that is that any respectable speaker manufacturer wouldn't try and dictate a built-in curve into a speaker other than as flat as assigned parameters will allow, for a number of reasons.
     Another less apparent, but still valid reason for utilizing an EQ can be to compensate for listening room acoustic characteristics. This is generally more difficult to assess, but overtime could become a desired need. This need would obviously change with any parameter change in the listening environment. Also, and no offense, but as we age and as we are exposed to various, sometimes, injurious sonic environments and events, our sensitivity to frequency ranges will change.
     One way to look at a specific speaker / listening environment combination is to think of it as a blank artists canvas. A really high quality speaker system would be comparable to a high quality canvas, brushes and material. Said another way, a "non-flat" EQ curve / listening environment / speaker combination is akin to starting your painting with a dirty, blotchy canvas. The listening environment to a well lit room with natural lighting, conducive to a creative mood. Until you "shape" the EQ, there is no painting on the blank canvas. Once you shape the EQ to your tastes, in a way that compliments the speaker design / room combination, you have created your work of art.

    While I can appreciate all the arguments for not using an EQ, in the end, I generally use an EQ with it's curve slightly boosted in the bass and treble frequencies and attenuated through the mid frequencies from "Zero" position (the "rock-n-roll smile" curve). It will usually require adjustment following any change in speakers, listening environment parameter adjustments and with the material I am listening too. I also have a 1/3 octave RTA monitor / spectrum analyzer with a pink noise generator and analyzing mic to establish an accurate "flat" point to start from.

 * Contrary to a somewhat common misconception, "Flat" does not mean "dull". "Flat" refers to the graphic "curve" of a speaker when analyzed by a spectrum analyzer. Ideally a speaker should be able to reproduce the human hearing range with all frequencies as close to "zero" (even amplitude or "flat") as is practical for the intended design / price point levels. The listener can then modify it from there by various methods (usually some sort of signal processor such as an EQ) to their tastes.

 

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  warranty
PRE-OWNED
VECTOR RESEARCH
VQ-115
GRAPHIC OCTAVE EQUALIZER
for sale
 Great quality dual, black, aluminum face, 10 band EQ. Built very well and made for performance. The 10 frequency centers are as follows starting at the low-end: 30Hz - 60Hz - 120Hz - 250Hz - 500kHz - 1kHz - 2kHz - 4kHz - 8kHz & 16kHz. Unit features:

- Each of the graphic controls feature a full +-12db of cut / boost (instead of the common 10 db)
- Long 60mm in throw length high quality, linear, faders w/center detent (most home units are 30 - 40mm)
- Tape monitor
- EQ bypass
- Variable Input Level attenuator
- Switched AC convenience jack located on the back rated at 200 Watts

EQ is in great shape and looks NEW. We have completely gone through this unit and tested all functions. All LED's function in control knobs. It works and sounds GREAT! Unit measures 17" wide x 10.5" deep x 4.5" high and weighs 7 lbs unpacked.. Includes our 90 day limited warranty.
VECTOR RESEARCH VQ-115
Cond. 8.5
$99.
 

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warranty
PRE-OWNED
DBX
222
DBX TYPE II TAPE NOISE REDUCTION UNIT
  "WORLD AC POWER" ™
Circa 1981-83
for sale
Great for use with Reel to Reel decks or Cassette Decks. Blows Dolby out of the water! Used in Professional recording studios for years. Gets rid of tape hiss. Period! These separate units also sound better and do a better job of NR than the DBX chips built-in to many cassette decks, including the version in my personal deck, which I love. Will hook to any quality component system or analog studio deck. Will also accept signals from those rare DBX encoded LP's. Separate Level controls for Tape Recording / Playback and DBX Disc Playback located on rear panel. This unit is in great condition. We have completely gone through it cleaning all switches and controls as well as checking and / or re-soldering all RCA patching jacks on rear panel. Unit tests perfectly in both playing and recording tapes. We also tested using  existing DBX encoded tapes that were originally recorded using DBX Type 1 NR. Looks new, sounds and works great! True "WORLD AC POWER"™ 50 / 60 cycles there is a 110V, 120V, 220V & 240V selector for use anywhere in the world! This is a "Made in Japan" version, not Taiwan or China. Measures 17.25" wide x 9" deep x 1.75" (1 rack space) tall and weighs 8 lbs unpacked. Includes our standard 90 day limited warranty.
DBX 222
Cond. 8.5
$109. (C)
C.B.S.

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