Equalizer...

[bigshot]

Yep, that's right.

See ya
Steve

 

[warMen]

Would a hardware equilizer like that be good for headphones? Or is it more suited towards higher gain power and gain things like speaker systems?

I use the Foobar EQ, but at even medium volumes I start to hear fuzz and clipping

 

[bigshot]

Analogue equalizers are line level units, so it doesn't matter whether you use headphones or speakers. The amount of improvement you'll experience depends on how far out of balance your current system is.

See ya
Steve

 

[Zenja]

I'm a big fan of equalizers. They can make a huge improvement in sound, depending on the equipment. I didn't buy a standalone one though, I'm using a free way on the computer (which should be better than a standalone one anyway, a nice perk of using computer as source).

 

[Mrvile]

Hmm, I saw the Amazon $40 EQ at radio shack for $70. It's much more expensive but I need somewhere to spend this $25 Radio Shack Gift Card...should I just pick it up locally?

 

[Tbeze]

no, because your still going to have more out of pocket ....

 

[Mrvile]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tbeze /img/forum/go_quote.gif no, because your still going to have more out of pocket ....

Yeah that's true...but I'll be paying for instant gratification

Eh I dunno what to do.

EDIT: Well I looked up the shipping for the amazon EQ and total it would be $50 (43 + 7)...which brings it within the ratshack one. It'll be throwing away a ratshack card but what else am I going to buy at Radio Shack?

 

[shigzeo]

it is an older receiver/amp/eq/vinyl player from JVC but has a very detailed analogue EQ graphic. It is beautiful for altering some of the things I do not like so much about some headphones. I'm never far from EQ, but then I'm also not headphoneous supremous, i'm just a pedestrian...

 

[SoundGoon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shigzeo /img/forum/go_quote.gif it is an older receiver/amp/eq/vinyl player from JVC but has a very detailed analogue EQ graphic. It is beautiful for altering some of the things I do not like so much about some headphones. I'm never far from EQ, but then I'm also not headphoneous supremous, i'm just a pedestrian...

My JVC integrated amp has a five band analogue equalizer, and all things considered, for what it is, I think it does a decent job. What model do you have?

 

[bigshot]

A five band equalizer isn't that much more flexible than normal bass and treble tone controls.

See ya
Steve

 

[GreatDane]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigshot /img/forum/go_quote.gif A five band equalizer isn't that much more flexible than normal bass and treble tone controls. See ya Steve

I have a bumper sticker that says:

[size=medium]Go 31-band or go home[/size]

(not really of course)

 

[SoundGoon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatDane /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have a bumper sticker that says: [size=medium]Go 31-band or go home[/size] (not really of course)

lol, nice

And Bigshot I understand about their limitations (please don't think that I'm trying to attack you here), I was actually just curious as to which amp he had

 

[Mrvile]

Alright, so when it comes to actually using the EQ, is the goal basically just to compensate for the dips in the frequency response and bring down the spikes to make the frequency response as flat as possible? Then from there, boost whatever I feel my cans need (such as bass)?

Also, where would I put the EQ in my system...between the source and the amp? Between the amp and the headphones?

Thanks.

 

[warMen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrvile /img/forum/go_quote.gif Alright, so when it comes to actually using the EQ, is the goal basically just to compensate for the dips in the frequency response and bring down the spikes to make the frequency response as flat as possible? Then from there, boost whatever I feel my cans need (such as bass)? Also, where would I put the EQ in my system...between the source and the amp? Between the amp and the headphones? Thanks.

I'm pretty sure you would put it between the source and the amp, since someone in this thread said the eq is a "line only" piece of equipment.

I'm really thinking about buying that $42 eq on amazon. It lists the brand name as "generic".. haha, must be a piece of crap, but I don't wanna spend too much money on one.

Will it be better than a software equalizer? The eq in foobar crackles for me right now, probably because of my crappy soundcard (sb live), but I'm getting a DAC and amp soon so hopefully that won't happen anymore.

 

[bigshot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrvile /img/forum/go_quote.gif Alright, so when it comes to actually using the EQ, is the goal basically just to compensate for the dips in the frequency response and bring down the spikes to make the frequency response as flat as possible?

Yes, if you have the test equipment to do that. There is a psycho-acoustic principle called "frequency masking". When a frequency is boosted, it not only affects that frequencies, but the upper harmonics of that frequency. You can actually dial up a midrange frequency and kill the treble. As little as 2 or 3dB can cause problems with masking.

See ya
Steve