I just finished reading carstereoguy's question titled 'hard choice' about which processor to use and it got me thinking. Defro16 suggested the pxah701 because it has 171 bands of EQ. But isn't most music already equalized to produce a desirable sound? Furthermore, if one was to hone their EQ board to a specific setting wouldn't that setting only be applicable to the music they played while honing it? As most audio tracks, whether off CD's or as MP3's, must be recorded under different conditions; each individual CD should posit a different EQ setting. But that means going into the EQ and screwing around with settings for each different CD played. Now doesn't that make elaborate EQ's quite dysfunctional? Or am I missing something?

P.S. I only have 3 possible EQ settings on my deck and I just leave everything flat. All in all my music sounds great to me!!!

The equalizer is used not to make the music sound different but rather compensate for the sonic problems created by the automotive environment. Although proper driver positioning can minimize the amount of equalization required, the equalizier can always help. However, the problem with using an equalizer is that they are rarely setup properly and thus end up hurting rather than helping with the overall SQ.

mq ball said it very well, an eq when used properly, can assist in attaining the best possible sound from a car stereo after the install is optimized. and eq is a necessary evuil when optimizing a car stereo. in car audio there, imo, is never too much contriol because you never know wherer you will need it, whether it be in x-overs, or time delay, or eq's. its nice to have if needed, and its always needed to optimize, rather than not have at all. some people are satified with just the bass and treble sttings that their cd player has, others arent. it all boils down to proper use of the tools you have, no matter how many tools you have

Wow, thanks for the good information.

Eq = problem solver. No problems, no need for an EQ. Sound's like you have the right idea though

eq = necessary to achieve the best results possible, again i'll say it, we need only look as far as the cars that we all judge ourselves against, world champions, the all use them. muckaluck, some people will be satified with mediocrity, if you are that way then lilely an eq wont provide you with any benefits, dont be fooled by inexperienced people, an eq will always be beneficial, if used properly, but can also be detrimental if used improperly by inexperienced people

if use properly an eq will always help and i dont agree about the saying the best eq is no eq at all. if you buy a decent eq it can only help but if you buy a cheap one you will encounter problems like noise alternator whine and more. if you purchase like a pg audiocontrol alpine and decent brand you will be happy with the results if its ajusted right

Not having an EQ does not make a system mediocre.

More people misuse an EQ than use it correctly and would be better off without it.

A system can achieve excellent SQ without an EQ.

I'll concede that most systems will benefit from a properly tuned EQ but they are far from a necessity in every system.

excellence is in the ears of the person listening, that the 1 nice thing about the subjectivity of listening to music, whats excellent to one is mediocre to the other, i have never in my 13 years of audio ever heard a car that sounded excellent without proper eq'ing, compared to my car audio reference vehicle, not saying that its not possible, ive just never heard it

hm, in my 17 years of audio (do I win?) I have heard a lot of EQ free cars sound damn nice and nicer than a lot of EQ equipped cars.

means nothing.


Every car may benefit from an EQ but no car should need one.