Equalizers?

[Jimmie Mayfield]

I've been considering moving up to a DD/DTS receiver and I've noticed
that a number of receivers that I've glanced at - Yamaha (795, 992, 2095),
Pioneer (09TX, 07TX), Harmon-Karden (AVR-85) - seem to provide generic
"Bass" and "Treble" controls only. Sony and JVC are two manufacturers that
do appear to include some sort of equalization controls beyond simple tone
controls.

I'm curious why the other guys don't include such functions? Is this a
feature that people rarely ask for in a mid-range receiver? I would have
thought a $1000+ receiver would allow the user more flexibility to tweak the
sound. Your typical boombox offers tone controls. Does this imply that the
sound from a Yamaha 2095 is no more configurable than that from an $80
boombox? Surely not.

I realize the audiophiles in the group are probably going to lecture me about
how equalizers are "bad" and that the audio should sound great using the
default settings. Sure. But could it sound better in my particular room?
Maybe.

Perhaps I'm crazy or weird but I currently have 3 custom equalizer settings
in addition to "flat" on my receiver that I alternate between depending on the
material I'm listening to. Even better, since these settings are electronic
and have presets assigned to them, I can switch eq. settings using the remote.
Try to do that with manual tone controls!

Now perhaps I can achieve the same overall effects using tone controls but I
cringe at the thought of having to adjust the overall bass or treble output
just to boost/cut a narrow range of annoying frequencies.

Any comments?

Jimmie

--
Jimmie Mayfield
http://www.sackheads.org/mayfield email: mayfiel...@sackheads.org
My mail provider does not welcome UCE -- http://www.sackheads.org/uce

[Sentinel]

what most people don't realize about equalizers is the fact that equalizers
are meant to FLATTEN THE ROOM'S FREQUENCY RESPONSE instead of doctoring
one's personal preferences. this is to be done with the use of a spectrum
analyzer and a microphone.

first, a white noise signal (preferably in the playback format of your
current media player, i.e. VCR, analog tape, CD, MD, LD, DVD, etc.) is
played through your system with the equalizer placed inbetween the media
player and the amplifier section. (best placed between the integrated
amplifier and power amplifier section, if possible)
second, when the equalizer is adjusted so that the spectrum analyzer reads a
flat response, the calibration for that input is complete and the playback
of material FOR THAT INPUT will best reflect what the final mix engineers
and edit personnel meant to be heard for that material

please note that this methodizing is done with audiophiles in mind. this
method is costly, very involved, and doesn't allow for much adjustment of:
speaker position, equipment swapping, or seating position. a seasoned
professional must be contracted, equipment must be rented (or purchased) if
the contracted designer doesn't have the equipment necessary, and these
things as well as some steps not mentioned make it a very time-consuming
process

if you can get past all of these things, enjoy perfect sound!!!!

[Karl Erik Sylthe]

Thanks for interesting lecture about equalizing.

Although this procedure may be provided for optimal use
of equalizers, I would guess that inboard digital equalizers can
be useful withot spectrum analyzing.
I can think of the following aspects making an inboard equalizer
with separate adjustment for each channel, valuable:

1. I suppose digital equalizers in much less degree wil reduce sound
quality than analog tone controls.

2. Eliminating obvious Bass-boast because of speaker placements
can be done. Myself I have a problem with my Right front-channel
speaker, because it is placed in a corner, and must be.
Today this is solved with bi-amping, using an integrated amp for
bass-area (below 200hz), and adjusting the level with balance-knob.

3. Adjusting timbre of sorround-speakers, so that they fit the
main-speakers better.

4. Making adjusments of low-level sources with obvious non-linear
characteristics. An example is my compact-casette recordings from
the 70`s, Who have lots of interesting music, but sound like the speakers
are deep inside 100 carpets.

5. Having fun playing with the equalizers on rainy days, and nothing
else to do.

The equalizer-future, in combination with separate delay for each speaker
including L/R fronts, makes the Sony H/T amps look interesting to me.

Karl Erik Sylthe

[dben...@quiknet.com]

One minor correction:

Pink noise is used for measuring room response. White noise is equally
weighted by frequency and Pink noise is equally weighted by Octave.

Don

In article <36a19ce1.0@feemsa>,

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[Brian]

I just heard a demo of the Z-Systems Digital Equalizer at a local high end
shop. All I can say is: wow. No phase problems, no weirdness, just
corrected sound in the room. I was truly amazed. I believe this unit is
around 3K, but for the price, room anomalies will be a thing of the past.

If you get a chance to hear it, give it a try.

B

In article <77ort1$an7$1...@camel29.mindspring.com>,

mayfiel...@sackheads.org wrote:
>
>I've been considering moving up to a DD/DTS receiver and I've noticed
>that a number of receivers that I've glanced at - Yamaha (795, 992, 2095),
>Pioneer (09TX, 07TX), Harmon-Karden (AVR-85) - seem to provide generic
>"Bass" and "Treble" controls only. Sony and JVC are two manufacturers that
>do appear to include some sort of equalization controls beyond simple tone
>controls.
>

<snip>