What to look for when buying an EQ

Well, a x-over is entirely different than eq. They serve two different purposes.

You can add an eq along with your x-over, as the x-over is necessary.

But the real question is why the need for an eq in the first place?

What do you guys have against EQ's? : )

cross overs should be set and left alone, and for that matter eq's as well. You tune your system once (hopefully using a RTA) and then leave it.

It sounds like their are other problems here, aside from what an eq will solve.

What do you feel an eq will solve?

I feel eq's are used to fine tune systems, they are the last thing to add. They will only do so much.

So if you have the money and time, go for it, but just don't expect too much, especially those in dash units as they are rather limited. Have a look at the Audio Control products, real eq's that are worth while.

With a decent mix of equipment:  head unit, amplifiers and drivers...most systems will have the crossovers they need, and the fine adjustments can be done using the HU.  The problem with planning a system with the addition of an EQ is that there is a preconception that the EQ will take the sound up to another level.  So, there is an inherent reliance on the EQ to perform this "upgrade".  This preconceived notion that the EQ must perform a vital task may lead to a less-than-stellar setup of the equipment on hand.

But if the system components were chosen for all the right reasons:  how you want to listen to the music, compatiblilty with each other, features in and of themselves...the system should be able to be set up to a highly refined level.  It is only after the setup, after lengthy listening and sometimes sophisticated testing, that an EQ should be considered to correct flaws that can't be overcome with the installed gear.  The reason for the EQ should be that the automobile environment needs some correction, not that the gear that you installed needs help.  You can only find the need for environment correction after the system is installed and tuned to its highest ability, and the listening/testing is done.

If you are at the point where you have determined that an EQ could be of additional value, look at the parametric equalizers over the graphic variety for a greater control over the sound.  Once the EQ is set, it remains as long as the system hasn't been changed.  So, controls do not need to be near your driving position.  HERE'S one reference of many that can be found with a google search.

stevdart wrote:

---

With a decent mix of equipment:  head unit, amplifiers and drivers...most systems will have the crossovers they need, and the fine adjustments can be done using the HU.  The problem with planning a system with the addition of an EQ is that there is a preconception that the EQ will take the sound up to another level.  So, there is an inherent reliance on the EQ to perform this "upgrade".  This preconceived notion that the EQ must perform a vital task may lead to a less-than-stellar setup of the equipment on hand.

But if the system components were chosen for all the right reasons:  how you want to listen to the music, compatiblilty with each other, features in and of themselves...the system should be able to be set up to a highly refined level.  It is only after the setup, after lengthy listening and sometimes sophisticated testing, that an EQ should be considered to correct flaws that can't be overcome with the installed gear.  The reason for the EQ should be that the automobile environment needs some correction, not that the gear that you installed needs help.  You can only find the need for environment correction after the system is installed and tuned to its highest ability, and the listening/testing is done.

If you are at the point where you have determined that an EQ could be of additional value, look at the parametric equalizers over the graphic variety for a greater control over the sound.  Once the EQ is set, it remains as long as the system hasn't been changed.  So, controls do not need to be near your driving position.  HERE'S one reference of many that can be found with a google search.

---

Are you questioning me?                                                 

Wade, as has been said, an EQ and a Xover do two entirely different things.  Your post indicates you are trying to adjust the sound with a Xover.  It ain't gonna happen.

A Xover simply divides and splits a signal based on the frequency and sends different bands to different outputs.  It is used to send the subwoofer frequencies to the sub, the mid frequencies to the mid and the high frequencies to the tweeter.  Once it is set, it is set.  The main use for a Xover is to protect higher-frequency speakers from trying to play too low frequencies (and thus damaging them.)

An Equalizer is simply a sophisticated tone control.  It does the same thing as the bass and treble controls in your head unit, only it has several bands of adjustment rather than just two or three.  An EQ is a very powerful tool and they are often misused by people who do not really understand them.  The main use for an EQ is to cut peaks and boost dips in the system frequency response, but it cannot compensate for inadequate speakers or poor installation.

ALL systems that use more than one speaker per channel use a crossover of some type.  Some systems can benefit from the proper use of EQ to compensate for system problems.  In properly designed systems, both tools are set-once and forgotten.

A crossover will not give you "crisper highs" as it has nothing to do with adjusting the signal.  An EQ might allow you to boost the highs, but it will add noise and can cause other issues.  The best bet for getting "crisper highs" is to change out your tweeters with "crisper" ones.