Audiophile Mistakes: Mini Series for Better Sound
Mistake #4: EQ or Not EQ? When to Adjust and When to Avoid It
Using EQ
Why you shouldn’t use EQ: Equalizers (EQs) have recently regained some attention, particularly parametric EQs in digital sources. However, they are often misused as a shortcut to “fix” something undesirable in a sound system rather than addressing the root cause of the issue. If you have components and speakers you genuinely love, they shouldn’t need “fixing.”
That said, your room may be the real culprit. The problem is that EQs are frequently overused, which can lead to unbalanced sound, distortion, or further audio issues. This temptation to tweak often causes more harm than good. Instead, focus on addressing room acoustics with physical treatments and careful speaker placement. If all else fails, see the “Not Using EQ” section below.
Not Using EQ
Why you should use EQ: While EQ should not replace good components or proper room treatment, there are legitimate reasons to use it. For example, a reflective wall of glass next to one speaker may cause harsh, glaring high frequencies. In this case, a slight reduction in those frequencies can improve your sound.
For more complex acoustic challenges, proper EQ can be highly effective. This involves using tools like Room EQ Wizard (REW) software and measurement microphones to analyze your room from the listening position. Adjustments made based on these readings are far more precise and reliable than tweaking by ear.
Room correction software can also be a game-changer for a problematic room, yielding excellent results when applied correctly. The key is to use EQ thoughtfully, guided by measurements and software. In contrast, randomly adjusting EQ sliders by ear often worsens in-room response and degrades sound quality.
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