jeff@tesla.UUCP (Jeff Frey) (08/11/83)
There have been suggestions that a multi-band equalizer would do the same as a mid/high replacement for improving mid/high performance. BUt if a tweeter drops off sharply at, say 16kHz, wouldn`t a lot of boost above that just increase distortion--or at least, increase distortion while increasing output? My receiver has a mid-range tone control which I use, in addition to Bass & Treble controls, to produce what I think is realistic sound. To apoint, the mid-range control is OK but after only a couple of dB of boost, the effect becomes very UNrealistic (probably due to the broad frequency range affected by the control, or the contour over the range). Boosting the treble, however, produces nasty sound with even a little boost. Wouldn`T the really fundamental way to improve loudspeaker response be to build the best loudspeakers anyway? I know there are electronic dynamic-feedback loudspeaker systems, and systems that have their electronics carefully tailored to overcome measured speaker deficiencies (the BBC has at least one monitor system like that) but in these cases the whole thing is done from a systems approach. I`ve always felt that multi-band equalizers, sold to "improve room response"< were yet another gimmick (although they probably could work to eliminate unfortunate resonances and dead spots for exactly one place in a room); to overcome loudspeaker response problems---? Jeff
michaelk@tekmdp.UUCP (Michael Kersenbrock) (08/13/83)
How can you tell if it is your loudspeakers or your room that is deficient? Don't they work as a system? Do you audition speakers in an anechoic chamber? If you do, is your living room one? Is there meaning to life? (oops, got carried away). These are the standard questions that still seem to be unanswered adequetely despite much discussions one way or the other. I've looked at my speakers (AR9s) with a "real time analyzer" before and after my having moved them to an ajacent wall from their previous position. The difference is substantial -- with the same speakers. Equalizers can be useful particularly for very moderate cost speaker systems. In higher end systems they become less useful (relatively), but can still be of good use. In my system, equalizing for a flat response (AFTER having moved the speakers mentioned above, my living room is small) according to the 10-band RTA, the equalizer is putting in about a 3db peak-to-peak correction (most knobs are on "flat", with a few pushed up a tad). I have found that this modest equalization makes it *sound better*, and slightly *improves* imaging (although that surprized me a bit). It does increase the S/N, but at normal listening levels (which is pretty loud, the amps are >200 w/ch) the noise is inaudible, even playing a CD disk. The improvement potential of the equalizer will probably not diminish further until I can replace the house (ha!) that it is in. (The equalizer uses Sig. 5532 op amps, and operates at relatively high level signals at the preamp OUTPUT.) For my system, the equalizer may not have been cost efficient, but never the less was a useful device. I like the flashing (up and down) lights too. I might point out that almost everyone has a graphic equalizer on their system, although most of them are only two band devices ... labeled "bass" and "treble" . . . Mike Kersenbrock Tektronix Microcomputer Development Products Aloha, Oregon