Good Equalizer
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=43208
Printed Date: May 15, 2024 at 5:23 AM
Topic: Good Equalizer
Posted By: markcars
Subject: Good Equalizer
Date Posted: November 17, 2004 at 4:41 PM
I am looking for a very good quality equalizer to add to my very good quality system. I am not too familiar with which companies' equalizers are considered "best" for sound quality with low distorions of around 0.005 or less. Which makes/models should I consider?
Also is a 6 band enough or am I better off with a 30 band?
Thanks.
Replies:
Posted By: jeffchilcott
Date Posted: November 17, 2004 at 4:49 PM
i like alot of the ma audio eq's But I was having troble with the eq, line driver and such things causing noise, I am very happy with my new panisonic unit that has a eq built itno it that is fully adjustable in 7 bands
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2009 0-1000 Trunk WR 154.0DB 2009 1001+ Trunk WR
2007 USACI World Champion
2007 World Record
2006 USACI Finals 2nd Place
Posted By: Francious70
Date Posted: November 17, 2004 at 5:04 PM
Phoenix Gold makes some good eq's.
Paul
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Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: November 17, 2004 at 5:11 PM
Mark, why do you think you need one? The three-band EQ in the CD-700II is usually more than adequate for adjusting playback. But, if you're using a spectrum analyzer and trying for a "flat" response, a 30-band is nice to have. I used the Orion DEQ-30 for a few months, but ended up removing and selling it because the gain from the fine adjustments was just not worth the cost in my opinion. It is a very nice, clean unit though. I've also played around with an Alpine PXA system. It seemed to be very effective, although also very expensive. And back in the old days, I used to run an analog parametric from Carver... wish I still had it! ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: audiobass10
Date Posted: November 17, 2004 at 5:45 PM
Do you know how to properly use an equalizer..If not..I think you should reconsider getting one.
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Dave
Pioneer Premier DEH-P660
15" Kicker CVR
Profile AP1000M
It's Loud
Posted By: bullman96
Date Posted: November 17, 2004 at 5:59 PM
i would suggest getting a good deck with a good built in eq. i have a pioneer deck with a 13 band eq. its not the 50 band im used to on my comp, but if you are not sure whether to get a 6 and a 30, im pretty sure anything around 13 would be perfect for you.
Posted By: 04MDX4SQ
Date Posted: November 17, 2004 at 6:03 PM
I have used many different eqs, and I find that a 30 band does the best job but takes more time and work to set up. I don't think it is necessarily about a flat response on an RTA, but more about smoothing out the curve.Check out Audio Control's new digital eqs. I used an Orion Concept 97.2 (DEQ30) for many years and loved it. It had 30 bands and offered complete adjustability in tailoring my equipment to my car. I have been using the DQS from Audio Control in my latest setup and it has even more flexibility due to its parametric in addition to graphic eq. I have found with eqs with lesser bands they are easier to adjust, but sometimes an annoying hump will fall in between two bands and you can't get it out with the avaiable adjustments without adversly affecting the surrounding bands. I guess it just depends on how much tweaking you want to be able to do.
Posted By: kfr01
Date Posted: November 17, 2004 at 7:09 PM
From what I've heard AudioControl is top notch for EQs.
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New Project: 2003 Pathfinder
Posted By: Ravendarat
Date Posted: November 17, 2004 at 7:26 PM
I personally like the orion eq, I personally use an audiocontrol and I have put a 30 band pheniox gold in my buddies sq comp vehicle. The main thing is getting them grounded properly and then knowing how to set them up
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double-secret reverse-osmosis speaker-cone-induced high-level interference distortion, Its a killer
Posted By: /R7
Date Posted: November 17, 2004 at 8:06 PM
[quote]Do you know how to properly use an equalizer..If not..I think you should reconsider getting one.[/quote]
thats a fairly rude comment. hows he supposed to know howto use an EQ if hes never bought one before, there are different types of EQ's im sure he can get the hang of at least one of them. besides that, what does not knowing howto use one do with increasing quality. the quality will get better, he would only need to know what each knob/fader does and after time he'll get into the swing of things. not going to b**** about that comment too much, but you didnt even give him any constructive advice.
Marks, i have a PG 4band EQ and its made a world of difference for my car. but even so, i know in my next vehicle even with a high quality deck i think i'd get something bigger than 4band, i like having the control for different music
Posted By: uthinkuknoaudio
Date Posted: November 17, 2004 at 8:22 PM
I agree with DYohn, if you got a Nakamichi CD-700ii than there is no need for a eq, but just incase your wondering, cadence makes a great eq. I got a nak head unit (CD-45z) and i don't even need an eq because it sounds so damn good. I'll still trade you anytime you want....
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"I don't play games. I play Nakamichi and that for real yo" - Probably some japanese kid said this in the early 80's trying to sell stereo out of his trunk lol.
Posted By: markcars
Date Posted: November 18, 2004 at 10:21 AM
I actually love my Nak 700ii unit that I have. It has made heaven and hell difference in sound quality compared to my previous deck(A jazzy Alpine with XM Radio, Nokia phone connection etc). I was just curious about the equalizer because I heard this system at an authorized dealership that had such (clean) highs and lows that was mind blowing. It could be that they used a cd with extremes for demo purposes.
About knowing how an EQ works, I actually built a few around 15 years ago while I was still a kid who loved to play with electronics as I had a brother working towards his BE(electronics) degree at that time and used to bring home projects from school. I enjoyed building Amps (with preamps) and that kind of stuff so much so that my classmates from school were buying these off of me. In fact I also used to etch my own pcb's from images in those project books. Then I had to drill hundreds of holes for each component including ICs. It was a lot of fun and excitement and a learning experience.
Also I heard that an EQ can compensate for any loss in specific types of vehicles since the accoustics in a car/suv/van are never as good as in a sound room. I might get an EQ or maybe not after some more research and educating myself some more. But thank you everyone for advising me on make/models and ideas. Very useful information indeed. This site has been of indispensable info and help to me. Thank you.
ps. and I would not trade my Nak for anything in the world.
Posted By: audiobass10
Date Posted: November 18, 2004 at 2:11 PM
<quote> thats a fairly rude comment. hows he supposed to know howto use an EQ if hes never bought one before, there are different types of EQ's im sure he can get the hang of at least one of them. besides that, what does not knowing howto use one do with increasing quality. the quality will get better, he would only need to know what each knob/fader does and after time he'll get into the swing of things. not going to b**** about that comment too much, but you didnt even give him any constructive advice.<quote> /r7.....The comment i posted was not intended to be rude whats so ever. I don't believe he took it that way, but if so..I aplogize. I simply asked if he knew how to use one. Personally, I don't know enough about tweaking a system through an eq to spend the money on it. I was just offering him what i thought to be helpful advice. No worries though. ------------- Dave
Pioneer Premier DEH-P660
15" Kicker CVR
Profile AP1000M
It's Loud
Posted By: Jay T
Date Posted: November 18, 2004 at 5:31 PM
I've got the Alpine ERE G180 its an 11 band, 1/2 DIN EQ with front to rear fader, and built in sub woofer level and crossover freq. adjustments. I've been really really happy with this unit. Especially the 1/2 DIN part so I can mount it right below by Head Unit for easy access. https://cgi.ebay.com/dll?ViewItem&category=79841&item=5732272272&rd=1
Posted By: uthinkuknoaudio
Date Posted: November 18, 2004 at 6:53 PM
Audio Control makes a good eq too, as well as Cadence. ------------- "I don't play games. I play Nakamichi and that for real yo" - Probably some japanese kid said this in the early 80's trying to sell stereo out of his trunk lol.
Posted By: 04MDX4SQ
Date Posted: November 18, 2004 at 7:47 PM
Never seen or heard Cadence EQ, so I cant say how they sound, but I can tell you from having Audio Control's new DQX in my demo room, it makes even the MB Quart QSD's and Clarion's DRZ9255 come alive. Amazing what it can do in a car as well. It will allow you to tailor even high end systems to your car as well as your listening tastes. It has 8 different settings that you can use for SQ, SPL, etc.
Posted By: uthinkuknoaudio
Date Posted: November 18, 2004 at 8:30 PM
Another great one is MMATS new eq, it sounds fantastic. I heard it monday running off of some of their new component sets and i was in 7th heaven ...
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"I don't play games. I play Nakamichi and that for real yo" - Probably some japanese kid said this in the early 80's trying to sell stereo out of his trunk lol.
Posted By: Wiseguy
Date Posted: November 19, 2004 at 12:49 PM
kove makes a nice 30 band eq https://www.koveaudio.com/eqc_popup.html ------------- Clarion DXZ745MP
Kove ZX504
Kove AG1400
Kove 12" T3 Armageddon
Kove 6.5" Compaxials
WILDER 6.5" Pro-Audio Drivers
Custom Pre-amp
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: November 19, 2004 at 1:54 PM
My vote is with Dyohn. I would not use an eq as in most cases it is a band aid or a neat play toy. The more elaborate 30 band eq's are great for solving an identified problem in response. This is usually found with the help of a RTA or you just might have the best hearing on earth to help you out. That said though, what the RTA shows and what you hear or want to hear are usually totally different. Mark, if your comparison was between a dealer showroom and your vehicle, this is a major factor in tonal response. Even if it was vehicle to vehicle, it is still a major factor. Yes eq's can make a great difference in a positive way but they can also make a good system go down le toilet if not used properly.
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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
Posted By: Jay T
Date Posted: November 19, 2004 at 6:09 PM
An EQ is not a band aid in my opinion. It helps you shape the sound the way you want to hear it. Some people don't just listen to hip hop and bass music all the time. I listen to metal and hardcore and the production quality between cd to cd is amazingly different. Would I live without an EQ? no way. But I do agree that if not used properly they can make sound quality go down the toilet.
Posted By: Alpine Guy
Date Posted: November 19, 2004 at 7:19 PM
I would only consider an EQ if i knew that there was a certain frequencie that was to much or too little. If it sounds good and nothings bothering you, , then save the money and get more gas to drive and listen.
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2003 Chevy Avalanche,Eclipse CD7000,Morel Elate 5,Adire Extremis,Alpine PDX-4.150, 15" TC-3000, 2 Alpine PDX-1.1000, 470Amp HO Alt.
Posted By: customsuburb
Date Posted: November 19, 2004 at 7:50 PM
I dont think you should get an EQ because I agree that it is a bandaid unless you have used an RTA to identify problem frequencies in your vehicle.
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Posted By: Poormanq45
Date Posted: November 19, 2004 at 10:23 PM
I don't think that an EQ is a "Band Aid". There are not many speakers, if any, that have a perfectly smooth/flat response curve. An EQ is used to flatten most of the imperfections of Response curve.
But, be careful. You can easily blow your speakers if somebody, probably a kid, and starts sliding the bands up an down. Some EQs can ass 20+ Db at each band. This is enough to overcome most Cross-over slopes which are usually between 6~18DB per octave. What usually ends up happening is that you "blow" your tweeters.
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