Hey guys johnny is back with another rookie question. I have my onkyo 8020 hooked up with my cv vs100s and it's sounding really good. My question is should I get an eq. My buddy keeps pushing the idea but I'm not sure if I need one.
AK is a great place to come ask
most audio questions,so lemme first welcome you to AK.
Now that is outta the way I'll point out that this topic (EQ's) is one of "those" questions that typically brings some common responses on this forum.
So go ahead and put on that flame proof suit,LOL
Most members here dont care for EQ's @ all,and as such they tend to (strongly) advise against using them.
Though there are some members here that take the opposite POV (like myself).
Some EQ characterizations I patently disagree with:
1.
If you prefer to use an EQ there must be something seriously/inherently "wrong" w/your system.
Sorry but that is B.S. plain & simple.
Some folks just prefer their music to sound the way THEY want it to sound,and they dont give a cr@p what anyone else thinks about that.
First thing first there is no "rule" against using an EQ,the decision to use one is purely a personal choice.
2.
That when using an EQ you need to fiddle with the sliders for every song and/or album you're lsitening to.
That is entirely dependant on the user,if said user is overly obsessive about what they're hearing,then odds are they're going to do that sorta thing.
The rest of us just find a "happy medium" and leave the sliders there and forget all about fiddling with them further.
3.
The only acceptable reason to use an EQ is to correct for room issues.
An eq can absolutely be used that way,but one is usually far better off compensating for that situation with DSP -or- room treatments.
It's perfectly acceptable to use an EQ as a "glorified tone control" as some folks derisively call them,it's a personal choice plain & simple.
So dont be pressured into any school of thought that is contrary to what you choose/prefer to follow.
4.
That an EQ is somehow instantly create more problems than they're gonna solve.
This amounts to anti EQ propaganda because one can easily take the EQ right outta the chain anytime they want to.
It's the user and how they're using their EQ that creates the problem,not the EQ itself.
The issue is whether said EQ user will recognize that sorta situation & understand how best to address it.
Now does anyone
NEED an EQ ?
To be perfectly honest
NO they likely do not.
The question you need an answer for here is do you
WANT an EQ ???
And only you can answer
THAT question...
Anyhow as was previously mentioned you would typically need a receiver that has a tape loop w/a monitor function -or- a pre out/in option.
And I dont believe that Onkyo has either of those so likely you wont be able to properly employ an EQ with that unit.
On that topic: I tend to procure gear that has a tape loop (w/monitor) -or- dedicated external processor loop for just this reason.
Myself I tend to avoid using the pre-out/in for an EQ as it's not a fixed signal level,this is
especially true w/most consumer grade EQ's w/o clipping indicators.
Typically that sorta thing is one of those situations that gets many EQ users "into trouble" (ie: trying to use an EQ with gear that's not really suited for use w/an EQ).
And if one opts to use an EQ I
always recommend using an EQ with some sorta level control(s),as that's really
key to getting things set properly.
FWIW ~ HTH
Bret P.