Equalisers - Do you use them?

[MouthBoy]

Hi All,

I kind of feel like this will either open up a can of worms with mixed opinions or everyone will be singing from the same hymn sheet, but does anyone use equalisers for their HiFi? This could be hardware or software.

I have recently been given a Stereo Graphics Equaliser and although it looks cool to see the bars, I am finding myself leaving it on 'Flat'. I think this is because I am choosing not to adjust how the music was originally recorded, but surely there is a genuine use for them and I simply may not understand how to get the most from it?

Thoughts?

 

[Martynt74]

Music is personal choice. I know a lot of people like bassy music so will crank the bass up to artificially amend the sound.

If they prefer it compared to how the musician designed it then so be it. To me it's no different to people modifying cars. It's not how it was created but the end user prefers it that way.

For the record i don't use any tone controls on my amp but i can always tell when my sons listened to music as the bass is cranked up!

 

[Gimpymoo]

I have no idea what I am talking about but do they serve a purpose now?

Were they used a lot when equipment quality was more "patchy" and a way to compensate for poor equipment?

Also, people used to listen to music how they wanted it to sound but nowadays, many want it to be "as intended", whatever that means.

 

[lude1962]

they were mostly used with old analogue vinyl stuff (the amplitude of the groove meant different frequencies had different volumes, combined with different output profiles of the pre-amp being used, they were pretty much essential for most mortals who couldn't afford reference quality kit).

 

[TheMightyTen]

First you need to know what a Graphic Equaliser does

 

[MouthBoy]

That is a great clip - never seen it before.

Looking about it seems that HiFi EQs are just not available anymore, unless I am going blind?