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From: herbie@watdcsu.UUCP (Herb Chong [DCS])
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: Re: equalizers
Message-ID: <1545@watdcsu.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 19-Jul-85 20:27:18 EDT
Article-I.D.: watdcsu.1545
Posted: Fri Jul 19 20:27:18 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 20-Jul-85 10:22:18 EDT
References: <7351@watdaisy.UUCP>
Reply-To: herbie@watdcsu.UUCP (Herb Chong [DCS])
Distribution: net
Organization: U of Waterloo
Lines: 57
Summary: 

In article <7351@watdaisy.UUCP> gvcormack@watdaisy.UUCP (Gordon V. Cormack) writes:
>It is my impression that almost all differences between reasonable
>quality stereo components can be attributed to differences in
>frequency response across the audio spectrum.  Therefore, I have 
>decided that I should buy a multi-band equalizer.

a controversial statement, but one of which i happen to believe
to be true.

>I would like to have answers to two questions:  First, what makes and
>models are recommended and for what reasons?  I am interested in at
>least 1-octave resolution;  1/2 octave would be better if it doesn't
>cost 10 db more.

a proper parametric equalizer is best, one with at least 4 or 5 bands
per channel.  failing that, a 1/3 octave equalizer is next best.  since
you want to stay with octave equalizers, the choice is fairly large.
almost every major manufacturer has at least one.  depending on the
features you want, you can pay as little as $250 CAN or as much as $900
CAN for an octave equalizer.  if you feel rich, you can get a Technics
single channel 16 band parametric for $1900/channel.  all kidding aside,
i think that a decent equalizer can be had for about $400 CAN with
useful features like an RTA and pink noise generator and microphone.

>Second, I don't see how one could possibly calibrate the system by
>ear.  It seems to me that one would want to measure the SPL generated
>by a known source.  The source is (relatively) easy to come by; one
>can buy or build a tone generator.  Once upon a time, I saw a test
>record with a number of tones on it as well.  One can also build a
>SPL meter with a microphone and a volt meter, but that would measure
>the frequency response of the microphone more than anything else.
>Do there exist such meters at reasonable price?  If so, where can they
>be obtained?  Alternatively,  if I had a known source, I could 
>calibrate my own.

calibrated SPL meters sell for about $250 CAN.  the Technics SH-8000
comes to mind.

>Perhaps I am being unfair to calibration by ear.  What are normal
>methods for setting up equalizers by ear?  I do not regard listening
>to my favourite record and diddling it 'till it sounds good acceptable.
>I can't even do this with the 3 tone controls I have.  I have tried
>from time to time and am sometimes happy for a while, but invariably
>am happier with them all in the "flat" position.

calibration by ear is notoriously unreliable.  depending on what your
ear was subject to in the few hours before the attempt, you could
be wildly off or near perfect.

Herb Chong...

I'm user-friendly -- I don't byte, I nybble....

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