Do I really Need An Equalizer?
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 10
From: Queens, NY
Do I really Need An Equalizer?
Hey everyone,
I am a little reluctant on the getting an EQ for my current audio setup as I am not sure if it will make a significant difference. The sound quality that I have right now is not that bad, but I am not a 100 % satisfied.
What I am trying to achieve is more mids and voice, basically tweat around the system a little.
Headunit specifications Kenwood DDX6019 More Info
Audio System
Audio system controls
Bass, Mute, Fader, Treble, Volume, Balance, Midrange
Amplifier max output power / channel qty
50 Watts x 4
Amplifier continuous power / channel qty
22 Watts x 4
Crossover type
Active crossover
Equalizer
Equalizer type
Parametric
Equalizer band qty
3 bands
Equalizer factory presets
Pop, Jazz, Rock, Top40, Natural
Type
Parametric
Speakers
Kicker KS-Series 05KS65.2 6-1/2
Thanks in advance for any input.
-Mark
I am a little reluctant on the getting an EQ for my current audio setup as I am not sure if it will make a significant difference. The sound quality that I have right now is not that bad, but I am not a 100 % satisfied.
What I am trying to achieve is more mids and voice, basically tweat around the system a little.
Headunit specifications Kenwood DDX6019 More Info
Audio System
Audio system controls
Bass, Mute, Fader, Treble, Volume, Balance, Midrange
Amplifier max output power / channel qty
50 Watts x 4
Amplifier continuous power / channel qty
22 Watts x 4
Crossover type
Active crossover
Equalizer
Equalizer type
Parametric
Equalizer band qty
3 bands
Equalizer factory presets
Pop, Jazz, Rock, Top40, Natural
Type
Parametric
Speakers
Kicker KS-Series 05KS65.2 6-1/2
Thanks in advance for any input.
-Mark
Last edited by lowKut; May 28, 2008 at 10:15 AM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
From: MS
You only need an EQ if you don't have the frequency response in your car that you want. If you want flat, then you will need an EQ. If you want to boost the voices, then you need an EQ to boost that range. How do you know what kind of EQ to get? You have to measure the response of your car. That requires a stand alone real-time analyzer or RTA software and a calibrated mic for your PC. DIY Mobile Audio dot com has some great tutorials as well as some equipment suggestions.
Without measuring, you are just guessing.
-Robert
Without measuring, you are just guessing.
-Robert
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 10
From: Queens, NY
Thanks Robert_J for your response. Very informative indeed. I believe you hit the nail right on point, the frequency response i am getting in my car is not to my satisfaction. However, with the headunit I am pushing (Kenwood DDX6019) I was told that the unit has a decent EQ & Crossover built-in. I do not want to spend extra money on an EQ if it wont make that much of a difference.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
From: MS
If you are serious about sound quality, then you need to take this route - link. You will then have a visual representation of what your system sounds like. Try the HU's built in EQ first. If that doesn't flatten it or get it to your liking, then get an aftermarket. Without measuring, you can throw a lot of money at a problem and never fix it.
And you can use this equipment for your other cars, friend's cars, home audio systems, etc.
-Robert
And you can use this equipment for your other cars, friend's cars, home audio systems, etc.
-Robert
The automobile is the absolute worst environment for car audio. From off axis, differing path length speaker locations to glass, it makes for a cluster***** for good sound.
If your goal is the absolute best sound, you can not achieve this without an eq of some sort. A perfectly flat response is not the most desirable nor is it the easiest to achieve.
There are many automatic equalization products available (JL Cleansweep, RF 3sixty, Alpine imprint, Audiocontrol) that will simplify your life. These will work with aftermarket systems just as well as OEM systems.
If your goal is the absolute best sound, you can not achieve this without an eq of some sort. A perfectly flat response is not the most desirable nor is it the easiest to achieve.
There are many automatic equalization products available (JL Cleansweep, RF 3sixty, Alpine imprint, Audiocontrol) that will simplify your life. These will work with aftermarket systems just as well as OEM systems.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 10
From: Queens, NY
Thanks to everyone that responded to this thread. Really good feedback all.
Percy what I want right now from my system is the ability to tweat & get more voices/mids. I welcome any additional suggestion you may have, was not looking to spend a lot more money on audio as I spent nearly $3,000 already.
Percy what I want right now from my system is the ability to tweat & get more voices/mids. I welcome any additional suggestion you may have, was not looking to spend a lot more money on audio as I spent nearly $3,000 already.
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Judging by what you have in your signature, kicker speakers and subwoofers aren't known to be the most SQ oriented products out there. An EQ is only needed for fine tuning. It will not solve every problem there is. You need to start out with good speakers and subwoofers first. After all, they are what makes the sound. Also, you can fine tune with your ears. An RTA or spectrum analyzer is not needed, although it's cool to impress your friends 
. In the end, you tune it to what your ears like, not necessarily what the RTA likes. Although it does help depending on what your goal is.
. In the end, you tune it to what your ears like, not necessarily what the RTA likes. Although it does help depending on what your goal is.
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