Im Confused!!

I prefer not to EQ, except when I listen to my ipod classic out and about, then I like the jazz setting. I like my music to have a slight midrange bias and level bass and treble.

EQ is a subjective preference, so it is impossible to say if it is better or not. What you should do is experiment and see what sounds best to you. Any answer that states EQ is or is not the 'best' is someone else trying to impose their opinion on you.

There are many different EQs some are subtle and some are very obvious.

The only time I would say that EQ is wrong is when it introduces distortion, usually heard as a buzzing type sound through the speakers.

IMO EQ can often have significant improvements to SQ for the following reasons:

1. We all have personal preferences for tonal range (light-heavy bass;detailed-bright;soft-veiled etc.).

2. Many, if not most recordings are poorly mixed or not well recorded and can be improved by EQ'ing.

3. Your equipment's sound signature (esp. HP's) may not be well balanced (overly bright;veiled,etc.).

4. We hear differently (esp. as we age).

 I EQ the majority of my recordings and it definitely enhances my listening experience.

 FYI, I use a good quality vintage SAE equalizer.

I'm not a purist. For casual listening, I have EQ presets I've tweaked for each of my favorite headphones... for example, my K702's I've slightly bumped up the bass, and the mids between 1K and 8k, and slightly reduced everything above 12k... I also slightly dropped the overall Db output from the pre-amp, to reduce the chance of distortion being introduced in those things I bumped up relatively. 

I also use the preset output volume to help with the output mismatches in impedence - so my 225i's are not suddenly way too loud, if I forget to adjust the volume manually from where they were set with the AKG... 

As long as you always adjust slightly down (rather than up - or if you have several eq levels up, the overall db comes down slightly to compensate) - to prevent clipping, you should be fine. 

With that said - if I am evaluating a recording, I'll also do a listen with a flat EQ... and when mixing/mastering, flat eq.

I've never used a eq, My headphones or speakers are the eq I won't buy headphones or speakers with a frequency responce I don't like then eq it to something I do like with a software/hardware eq.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRG1990 

I won't buy headphones or speakers with a frequency responce I don't like then eq it to something I do like with a software/hardware eq.

For me, it's not that I don't like it, then change it to something else... it's more, I feel like it's understood that even a very strong headphone may have some minor weaknesses - and if eq can mitigate those a little, to further improve my listening enjoyment, then I see no reason to not do so. 

Just my $.02.