EQ. Question

[Lschevy 3]

Im thinking about getting a clarion eq., and I was

Wondering if its worth the trouble? I've saw a lot of installs and I don't see to many running them.

[Impious 1,476]

This is car audio; everybody's frequency response sucks. Every stereo could benefit from proper utilization of an EQ.

Whether or not it's a worthwhile purchase depends on whether or not you know how to properly utilize one first and foremost. Also depends on whether or not you have your installation and equipment maximized to make the best use of an EQ, what you are trying to accomplish by adding an EQ, purchasing the proper type of EQ to best fit your needs, and a half dozen other factors.

Buying one just to buy one isn't a good option, however. Buying the wrong EQ for your goals or needs isn't a good option either.

[Sencheezy 689]

I've had This one before, and even though I didn't know how to properly adjust it for my system, it did make it sound really good/better than what I had w/out it. I'm in the same boat as you though, I don't know how to properly adjust all of the diff nobs, but the only way to learn is to try, and thats what I did, and I enjoyed it.

[steveo50 3]

From my experience your system will sound cleaner

[sefugi 166]

I've had This one before, and even though I didn't know how to properly adjust it for my system, it did make it sound really good/better than what I had w/out it. I'm in the same boat as you though, I don't know how to properly adjust all of the diff nobs, but the only way to learn is to try, and thats what I did, and I enjoyed it.

I have the IDX crossover and the XEQ EQ. Was planning on using them on my next install. I have always heard you use an eq to bring down the freq. sound level not raise it. That is probly a question not a statment.

[ssh 924]

I think it can be used to get a more flat response across the sound spectrum. Whether it be raising the level in one frequency region and lowering it in another.

[nem 2,019]

Eq's have a purpose and if you are not sure if you need one don't buy one.

[Sencheezy 689]

I think your right, if my memory serves me right, (its been over a year) the one I used, allowed me to control sertain freqs, kinda like how you can edit the sound of WMP or itunes, so you have more control and can adjust to your likeing. Tho, You will need to buy a few more RCA's to take full advantage as it as inputs for your front/rear/sub. Just my .02

[///M5 2,833]

99 out of a 100 times it will make your system sound worse and all due to user error. I couldn't agree more that if you are asking the question then you shouldn't get it.

[ssh 924]

You have to start somewhere... Not going to learn if you don't ever try it. I'm not saying you need it, but it may improve your listening experience.

Same thing could be said to someone trying to build an enclosure, and people tell them if you don't know what your doing you should just pay someone to build it properly. Or you could learn by trial and error.

Obviously you could damage your speakers or worsen the frequency response if used incorrectly, just don't be a nut and use some common sense.

Just my thoughts.

[Randal Johnson 544]

If you have a "BIG Bass" system, I don't think it will be worth your time and money ...

If you are into more of a "Total Sound System" Where MUSIC is more important than just having alot of bass or just being loud ... then I would say that having a very nice Equalizer will be a great learning / tuning experience for you and your system ... The whole idea is for Your system to sound the way YOU want it to ...

Just my suggestion ... Thanks, Randal ...

[Sir-Lancelot 216]

The whole idea is for Your system to sound the way YOU want it to ...

Agree 100%.

It's your system, love it how you want to.

[Robert 9]

I have used clarion's EQ in my car as well as installing it in my friends car. I turned all the bands maxed out except the volume knob and O scoped the EQ to find where it clipped after finding where the head unit clipped then connected it to amps and set gains as usual on the amps. If anything sounded to harsh then I could turn certain bands down a bit to balance the sound out better.

I want to find an EQ that has bands independent for each channel not tied together. Example on clarion EQ if I want to raise the 50hz band a bit more on a certain song it also raises it on through to the 4ch amp also and I don't want the mids and high's sounding bad just want it to raise up to sub amp. If you can deal with that the clarion EQ is a good entry level EQ that you will notice doing work.

[Randal Johnson 544]

I turned all the bands maxed out except the volume knob and O scoped the EQ to find where it clipped after finding where the head unit clipped then connected it to amps and set gains as usual on the amps. If anything sounded to harsh then I could turn certain bands down a bit to balance the sound out better.

I want to find an EQ that has bands independent for each channel not tied together. Example on clarion EQ if I want to raise the 50hz band a bit more on a certain song it also raises it on through to the 4ch amp also and I don't want the mids and high's sounding bad just want it to raise up to sub amp. If you can deal with that the clarion EQ is a good entry level EQ that you will notice doing work.

normally on a EQ, isn't everything suppost to be set flat, then add and cut where needed to get the desired sound ???

And also, shouldn't the left and right channels be exactly the same ?? Then you would pay more closer attention to your crossover points if you choose to run full active ...

please, not complaing or anything like that, just asking ... Thanks, Randal ...

[Robert 9]

thats where on this EQ I get confused,in my car I left att the bands in middle and it never clipped but then yurn just one of any of the 7 bands and square wave comes out. Yes they should be balanced but I thought that when I run RCA's out of sub output that I could control the lower bands apart from the front and rear outputs of the EQ. This is my fault for not looking into it more but thats what I would like. Everything is tied together I am leaning more towards this,

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_6358_AudioControl-EQS-GRAY.html

[Randal Johnson 544]

thats where on this EQ I get confused,in my car I left att the bands in middle and it never clipped but then yurn just one of any of the 7 bands and square wave comes out. Yes they should be balanced but I thought that when I run RCA's out of sub output that I could control the lower bands apart from the front and rear outputs of the EQ. This is my fault for not looking into it more but thats what I would like. Everything is tied together I am leaning more towards this,

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_6358_AudioControl-EQS-GRAY.html

This is a specific reason for me saying this ...

If you have a "BIG Bass" system, I don't think it will be worth your time and money ...

If you are into more of a "Total Sound System" Where MUSIC is more important than just having alot of bass or just being loud ... then I would say that having a very nice Equalizer will be a great learning / tuning experience for you and your system ... The whole idea is for Your system to sound the way YOU want it to ...

[Robert 9]

True but I am only going from my experience of it, If the OP doesn't mind what I have said about the clarion EQ then go for it, If he wants a bit more control then the audiocontrol EQS might be something to read into, but thats pretty expensive just as a #sixty.2/3 was is going to be.

"If you are into more of a "Total Sound System" Where MUSIC is more important than just having alot of bass or just being loud ... then I would say that having a very nice Equalizer will be a great learning / tuning experience for you and your system ... The whole idea is for Your system to sound the way YOU want it to ... "

[Randal Johnson 544]

absolutely bro ... My EQ is set flat

[///M5 2,833]

normally on a EQ, isn't everything suppost to be set flat, then add and cut where needed to get the desired sound ???

And also, shouldn't the left and right channels be exactly the same ?? Then you would pay more closer attention to your crossover points if you choose to run full active ...

please, not complaing or anything like that, just asking ... Thanks, Randal ...

Not really. An EQ generically speaking is used to compensate for install anomalies. The goal of having a flat EQ is not having one so that is fine, but then don't bother to install it if you can get by without. On top of that anomalies are such that an EQ really should only be used for cuts and not boost. With every rule there are exceptions but that one I'd try to adhere to as much as possible. As for the left/right be the same; never in a car unless you have a McLaren or other vehicle that is symmetric and you sit in the middle. Anomalies aren't uniform so why would the EQ be? Pre-requisite for me is independent L/R otherwise I am not interested in the EQ at all. And it also has NOTHING to do with paying attention to your crossover.

[///M5 2,833]

If the OP doesn't mind what I have said about the clarion EQ then go for it, If he wants a bit more control then...

I know this is almost out of context, but it is a good leading point and the exact reason I answered like I did the first time. The user hasn't told us what he wants to control (ie doesn't understand what anomalies he needs to fix) therefore a recommendation of an EQ is dubious and will generally result in a fail as it won't be implemented at all for its intended purpose. If there was something to tame, fix, a staging concern or even a general need in his original post then the answer could be very different. Based on what we've seen so far it will just give him knobs to turn which may be fun (and then okay if fun is the goal) but won't help his system.

[Lschevy 3]

I wanted an eq mainly for the added bad boost but after reading all you guys posts I see that it wouldn't help

[semrod 2]

A friend of mine is using a Clarion crossover I think the model # is MCD-360. He is using it because his headunit only had 1 set of preouts. He is running a set of tweeters,4x6, and 6x9's off of a 2 channel 300 watt RF Punch amp, and Brutus 1610D to a 12 inch Q sealed. I heard a huge difference in his highs and the bass response.

[///M5 2,833]

I wanted an eq mainly for the added bad boost but after reading all you guys posts I see that it wouldn't help

It will boost, but there is a better solution to your problem. What do you want to boost and why?

[Lschevy 3]

I meant I wanted one for the added bass boost. I know this might be a little crazy but I want it to go along with my sundown z's I dont think I will need it but after I was talking to a guy at work he said "with the boost from the hu and the eq the bass would be insane

[Sir-Lancelot 216]

I meant I wanted one for the added bass boost. I know this might be a little crazy but I want it to go along with my sundown z's I dont think I will need it but after I was talking to a guy at work he said "with the boost from the hu and the eq the bass would be insane

Yup. Insane until your subs shit the bed.