Graphic equalizers

[Spizz]

I've just got a decent set of headphones and for the first time in my life have started to think about how I listen to music.

I've never been one for fiddling with graphic equalizers mainly because I don't know what I'm doing, and I guess I've always thought everything should be set to 0 and you'll hear the music as it was meant to be heard.

Is this correct? I mean I tick the 'sound enhancer' box on itunes, or the 'music clarity' box on my S2, but I don't want to set them to 'rock' or 'pop' or whatever because my listening moods change and I don't need to fiddle with the settings when I'm listening to a mix or whatever.

Problem is now, I feel like I'm missing something having forked out for decent cans and I of course want maximum listening pleasure.

So any audiophiles got some tips for a headphone noob? First and foremost, is a flat line of 0's on the equalizer the way the music was made in the studio and the way it's meant to be listened to??? Are equalizers just a personal choice thing?

 

[copacetic]

Ideally you don't want to use EQ's, for precisely the reason you put forward.

EQing is not going to magically make your sound better.

On the playback side of things, EQ's would be used to correct problems, if you are not aware of any problems, then don't worry about it.

 

[Haldex]

EQ will magically make it sound better.
I listen to Rnb, Hip Hop and a little pop and dance.

Most equalisers are from left(bass) to right(treble)
I have bass high and treble high then create a u shape for the midrange.

Did you not try playing around with the settings?

 

[Spizz]

Ideally you don't want to use EQ's, for precisely the reason you put forward.

EQing is not going to magically make your sound better.

On the playback side of things, EQ's would be used to correct problems, if you are not aware of any problems, then don't worry about it.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I can imagine fiddling around trying to optimise the sound on some older stuff, but since the advent of CD's I'd pretty much imagine the sound on a flat EQ is how it was meant to be heard.

My favourite stuff is late 70's punk and it's noticeably bad sometimes when I'm listening to stuff I've had for years and has obviously never been digitally enhanced.

EQ will magically make it sound better.
I listen to Rnb, Hip Hop and a little pop and dance.

Most equalisers are from left(bass) to right(treble)
I have bass high and treble high then create a u shape for the midrange.

Did you not try playing around with the settings?

Sure I've played around and experimented a bit, but it's more of a universal thing I've been looking for just to leave and listen to my sounds without worrying if I'm on the right settings.

I enjoy some bassy type stuff like RATM or The Jam, but mostly it's guitar led stuff like The Clash and I want a single setting to get the benefit of different types of music when I'm travelling and listening to a varied playlist.

 

[copacetic]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I can imagine fiddling around trying to optimise the sound on some older stuff, but since the advent of CD's I'd pretty much imagine the sound on a flat EQ is how it was meant to be heard.

My favourite stuff is late 70's punk and it's noticeably bad sometimes when I'm listening to stuff I've had for years and has obviously never been digitally enhanced.

Look, nothing is going to be actually flat on your side, unless you have monstrously expensive equipment.

The point is though, the music is mixed and mastered to be able to play on as wide a range of systems as possible. If you don't notice anything wrong, then nothing is. It's as simple as that.

 

[Haldex]

Music and settings is a personal taste, if I had to listen to the genre you listed, I'd puch up the higher and lower frequencies just a bit more.

Can't imagine a flat equaliser setting would be doing the music justice.

 

[copacetic]

Music and settings is a personal taste, if I had to listen to the genre you listed, I'd puch up the higher and lower frequencies just a bit more.

Can't imagine a flat equaliser setting would be doing the music justice.

I think you need to reassess your understanding of how these things work...

*edit*

I mean, I agree with saying it's a personal preference, but to then go on and advise changing settings without having a clue what his system sounds like to begin with, makes no sense at all.

 

[ponder]

Using a EQ is akin to changing the original composition/recording. Ideally you want a system that is neutral and changes nothing of the original recoding.

 

[PostmanPot]

I think you need to reassess your understanding of how these things work...

*edit*

I mean, I agree with saying it's a personal preference, but to then go on and advise changing settings without having a clue what his system sounds like to begin with, makes no sense at all.

+1

To put it simply, personal preference aside, no post processing should be used as it's not what the producers intended.

These days though I can understand why many would think it sounds better by maxing out bass and a bit of treble, especially for Rap and Dance type music. Generally lacks detail and mid range.

 

[Spizz]

Ok, so I'll carry on the way I always have. Thanks for the input chaps, most helpful.

 

[Dolby]

I'm late on replying - but an EQ is more for speakers and rooms where issues could become apparent. On headphones, you're not really going to have those issues

Some rooms are - for example - too reflective and 'hard' and you can then turn down higher frequencies.