Well, with the announcement and release of the new small Loki, we may have opened up an envelope of contention from "traditional" audiophiles. Jason covers that well in his Chapter today and presents a use case for them as remedial. Given the Loki is an analog one, I hope what I say will not be dismissed as patent cheerleading. After all, Jason and I have had quite a few discussions on the topic. In case you haven't guessed, I am a proponent of analog equalizers over digital ones as a remedial tool.
I would not consider a digital equalizer as a system remedy – the only exception to this would be in a system where minute amounts of correction need be applied. What do I mean by minute? Under five and a half decibels in a system with digital sources.. Why 5 and a half db? Most digital filters in common use have a minor amount (less than 0.5db) of attenuation to provide a bit of headroom in case some recording really goes right to the top (0 db). The filter attenuation plus the equalizer correction are additive. A digital clip presents a horrible, non-linear, potentially speaker or can damaging signal when backed up with sufficient amplifier power. The real world problem is that 5.5db is not enough to fix most speakers/rooms or cans. An attenuation greater than 6 db takes one bit of resolution, 12db two bits, 18db three bits, etc. Since most typical room problems are in a 20-30 range, and most can eq problems are only slightly less, the loss of 4-5 bits of resolution is quite feasible. Ugh. The huge advantage of the analog equalizer is that it absolutely takes NO resolution away from the signal. That is huge. The main disadvantage is that if the adjustment is large, such as a 20db boost, then the headroom of the downstream power amp may clip at higher levels. YMMV. Most Schiit amps have power.
The second problem with the application equalizers is to inform the user of the nature of the correction needed. True, there are speaker/room equalizer measurement devices that are accurate over most of the range of speakers/rooms. The published data of speakers is insufficient to judge how to correct the speaker without factoring in the room. There are room measuring devices which do not cost much more than the Loki, but I cannot speak to their quality. There are reviews of headphones which measure them, and in some cases data available which will give the user a good starting point to approximate an improved frquency domain performance. Ahem.. So much for the summary of serious work with equalizers. A challenge, but rewards come with with what you put in to the mix with your own research.
Now the real reason you want a Loki is that it is a major league trip toy. It will keep you up at night twiddling. It is a phuc ton of fun. Not suitable for the constipated types on the high floors of the audio shows with their stupid expensive systems and 10 songs total on their server. It does not have to be serious. It clearly produces audible changes. Nothing even there to annoy sound scientists. It is analog!! Glorious analog!!!
Digital equalizers SUCK. A to Ds in front, resolution loss in the middle, D to As on the ass end. Much finer control, yup, parametric, can be, much harder to use, yup, and even worse if you do not know What you are correcting. The more you adjust, the more you lose. Did I say, sound like ass?? Oh, and expensive to sound less like ass.
I'll take a Loki any day where I don't have to grit my teeth while I listen, I still have infinite settings to play with, and can improve things to the extent I do my homework. This is very different from the Gadget, which adjusts to one clear advantageous position on one pot which gives you the "ahhhs".
It is a fun device which is addictive like a video game but less serious. It is pure pleasure. Yeah, I know. I sound like a shill. I have had several to play with and I can't imagine a system without one. It even works if you listen to rap or electronic stuff. I wish I could take credit for designing it, and selling me on it for a Schiit product. Well done, Jason! An equalizer that doesn't sound like ass. Huuda thunk.
