i am trying to build a sound quality system and i am in the planning stages. I am looking at buying a second hand EQ but dont know too much about them.

My question is do you require an EQ for each output from the head unit?

i ask this because the EQ i am looking at only has one pair of inputs and outputs.

Thanks

Firstly, welcome onboard!!

I think before you start buying equalisers, processors, etc, buy some quality components and focus on installation. An eq is then only really necessary to finetune your system. If you invest in a below par eq, your system can and probably will actually sound worse than without it.

If the eq that you're looking at buying only has 1 set of RCA inputs and outputs, then it'll only be cable of running perhaps your front stage amp, or sub amp. So, yes, you will have to get another eq if you want to fully equalise your system. This is all very complicated and especially costly. Perhaps look at getting a top of the line headunit which will have all the eq features, plus time alignment amongst other things. This will most likely end up being cheaper, and imo sound a lot better rather than running one (or multiple) eq's, esp. cheap ones.

So what kind of sq system are you planning? Let us know what kind of equipment you're thinking of getting and how you plan on installing it.

Then a lot of the guys (and girls) on CAA can help you out.

Good luck with it all.

Dom

Yep.
Get the basics right first and set-up and install properly.
An EQ device is really the icing on the cake.

Where the system takes you as you develop it may surprise you (hands up!!) and the EQ you look at today is likely not the one you would have when the system is together.

And trust me, hang around here and get "the bug" and thec system WILL change from your first ideas. All part of the fun

For example, in 18 months I'm on the same HU, second splits, third tweeters, second front amp, third sub amp and third subwoofer(s) (total of 4 enclosures).

And I still haven't got an EQ.....well not until Alpine releases the PXA-H700 anyway. But now I know what's needed to finish it off.

And the system is SO much better than I imagined when I started.
Worth keeping in mind.

sometimes a good way to find out how your system sounds is to put someone in you car who knows MUSIC.

let them play their music and ask for their thoughts on how your system compares.

then, if it needs an EQ, go shopping with what your requirements are...



[ April 30, 2003, 22:43: Message edited by: Dr DJ Choss ]

what sort of stuff are you looking at buying??

pioneer make some good headunits with 13band eqs in them. jvc make some with 7band eqs and they are nice :-) (enough to give a good sound.)

but if you want top performance (comps etc) you'll be looking in the 28band+ range.

here's some rough figures:

RF symmetry epx2 (stereo w/ 28band eq card) $800 2nd hand

audio control dqt (DIGITAL stereo 30band eq + 2 parametrics) $1200 NEW

Alpine pxa h700 30band? by 5 channels+ time alignment and stack of other crap. about $1500-1700 NEW

so eq's aren't cheap, but well worth it. ONCE you've installed your system and IF tuned by a professional. but the most important thing is high quality components. no point in decent eq unless u have decent headunit, speaks, amps, cabling, batts.....

let us know how you go.

some friends and i have competition SQ stereos (money traps) and swear that the final tweaking is not possible without the black magic of a decent eq. but it all depends on what you want out of your system.

one of the cars (focal speaks, 13band pioneer head, alpine amps) got a 34/40 for sq without a 30band eq. so install is major element to sq.

Good luck
Wayne

Thanks for your help fellas...

But i think i choked, i wen't out and bought a 2nd hand PG eq230 - 30band equaliser, proabaly abit prematurely, and maybe a bit over prived $500, without getting your advice, but live and learn.

On the positive side, i dont intend to go halfhearted with this and i am looking at spending a lot of time and money on the equipment and instalation. i intend to use an RTA and an osciliscope to set the crossovers, gains and equaliser, however i would like to do this myself.

I have about 4K to play with (not including the EQ)for my comonents, wires and instalation materials.

This is what i am thinking of getting:

H/U: Alpine 7894rb
Splits: focal 165k2 or k3
Front amp: Audison LRx 2.250
Sub: JL W3v2 - d4 12"/ PG Ti12D
Sub amp: Alpine mrd-m300/m500

with bargining i think i can fit everything into my budget, however my budget is quite flexible.

What do you guys think? All input/ideas on the system would be very appriciated.

that eq will be fine. just remember too spend a lot of time and effot (=$$) on the install. angles are everything. and don't bother playing with the eq until you get everything sounds its best without the eq.

have a good go at tuning it your self, and then right down all your settings, and take it to a experienced pro with an rta and get them to tune it, compare your figures to theirs... and whether or not it sounds better ;-) (i can give u the number of some really good tuners with rtas etc...)

you should get a really nice sound out of the equip youve chosen. providing its installed properly.

let us know if you want any other advice/help.

you listed some very nice equipment their

is there any way i can get my hands on an rta other than buying (eg would i be able to hire one from a car audio store)?

as far as i know they do it for you

yeah, i was goning to do it my-self but getting access to the rta is difficult. i guess it would proabably cost the same to get them to do it. Any idea how much?

Go to any of the big car audio specialists in brissy, they should have RTA's, I know Northfield and Gold Coast Car Sound and Custom Image do anyways. You can book time on them, and usually costs around $30 for 1/2 hour.

This is a quality EQ but a good install should mean you won't need all of that equalisation. That isn't a bad price, its about 30-40% of the RRP....