Running EQs

[MusicHead804]

Is there anything wrong with eqs? will i get better sound out my speakers ?

[reedal]

In my opinion, the issue with EQ's is they are misused. They can boost or cut frequencies, and most times they are used simply to boost the frequencies that are lacking, rather than cut the frequencies that are overpowering the others. There's a limit to how much you can boost any signal and it still be a clean signal.

[MusicHead804]

is it possible you can tune the eq with the one of the SMD tools?

[hdorre]

In my opinion, the issue with EQ's is they are misused. They can boost or cut frequencies, and most times they are used simply to boost the frequencies that are lacking, rather than cut the frequencies that are overpowering the others. There's a limit to how much you can boost any signal and it still be a clean signal.

i LOVE this response. I wish i could like it again, and again.

[Triticum Agricolam]

To expand on what reedal said, the thing to remember with EQ is they can only reduce, they cannot add. If your system is capable of 145 db at 40 Hz and 140 db at 60 Hz, EQ can't change that. So lets say you want to boost things at 60 Hz to smooth the frequency response, so you add 5 db of boost. You aren't really boosting the signal, you are just turning everything else down 5 db. Your system can still only do 140 db at 60 Hz. The difference now is with the EQ you can only get 140 db at 40 Hz now too.

This is why EQ is a lot better for fixing peaks in output rather than dips. One thing that EQ will work very well for is reducing the peakyness of peaky subwoofer boxes. It costs you max output, but its super easy to do and you can adjust things all you want. You can turn the EQ off for when you want to make a big number and then turn it back on when you want your system to sound decent.

[reedal]

In my opinion, the issue with EQ's is they are misused. They can boost or cut frequencies, and most times they are used simply to boost the frequencies that are lacking, rather than cut the frequencies that are overpowering the others. There's a limit to how much you can boost any signal and it still be a clean signal.

i LOVE this response. I wish i could like it again, and again.

Thank you. I'm trying to cut down on all of the novel-length responses I typically give, so it was semi-short and sweet

[reedal]

To expand on what reedal said, the thing to remember with EQ is they can only reduce, they cannot add. If your system is capable of 145 db at 40 Hz and 140 db at 60 Hz, EQ can't change that. So lets say you want to boost things at 60 Hz to smooth the frequency response, so you add 5 db of boost. You aren't really boosting the signal, you are just turning everything else down 5 db. Your system can still only do 140 db at 60 Hz. The difference now is with the EQ you can only get 140 db at 40 Hz now too.

This is why EQ is a lot better for fixing peaks in output rather than dips. One thing that EQ will work very well for is reducing the peakyness of peaky subwoofer boxes. It costs you max output, but its super easy to do and you can adjust things all you want. You can turn the EQ off for when you want to make a big number and then turn it back on when you want your system to sound decent.

This kind of blew my mind, and has me considering my response now. If there is no "adding" to the signal, then how does my 80prs EQ (from my testing experience when using EQ with DD-1) cause distortion when I increase the frequency or the closest to that of which I am playing? Because, if it does not raise the output of the frequencies being boosted, then it should not cause distortion by doing so, correct?

And that brings me to another question. The PAC LC-1, is a gain knob, which is not powered by its own supply, but only has the voltage from the RCA's, so how could it increase the voltage or introduce clipping/distortion when turning it up (gain set with knob turned down) when it doesn't have an powered amplifier in it? I'm curious to see what the answer is.

[ShadeTreeMechanic]

I think it is all relative. The point of max signal without distortion is "X". Then you boost a frequency. You can't go above "X" signal so in effect the signal you boosted is "X" and now the rest are lower than "X". When you boost it reaches max first causing everything else to be lower than max. The Pac LC-1 is an attenuator not a booster.

[Triticum Agricolam]

ShadeTreeMechanic pretty much nailed it. EQ just adjusts level relative to everything else. It can't make your system louder. It can just make certain frequencies sound louder (or softer) relative to the rest of the spectrum. Any time you use EQ it eats into your head room and will cost you output somewhere. Depending on what you are trying to do, giving up a little potential output may be a small price to pay for better frequency response.

[reedal]

If it is only an attenuator, then it should not be able to clip the signal or raise the output if you set gains with the LC-1 knob all the way down, and then turn the knob all the way up. Because an attenuator is just an attenuator. It can't increase or boost the signal. (I have not yet used my LC-1, but I think when I get my dash finished and the knob hooked up I will test for distortion when I have the knob all the way down when setting the knob)

And as for the EQ, that still doesn't explain how the 80prs EQ (the only EQ I have experience with) can introduce distortion when "boosting" a signal to see the max clean. If you already have max clean, and EQ can't raise it above what your clean is, then how can it introduce distortion by simply attenuating the rest of the frequencies down to its level?