Poll: Do you run flat or do you tweak bass & treble?

[intotubes]

?<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>I run flatI adjust the tone controls to suit my tasteI use an EQ

[Deang]

Nobody here runs "flat" unless they use room treatments and EQ the response to be "flat". So, most here are all over the map -- tone controls or not.

[colterphoto1]

where does something like Yamaha's YPAO stand here?

It's 7 band parametric computer controlled on each channel. I run it and use it's settings. Then I tweak bass/treble slightly to taste.

I answered bass/treble, but really I guess I am running an eq. I certainly don't run my components flat right out of the box. That would take one extraordinary listening room.

Michael

[jt1stcav]

My linestage preamp has no tone controls.

[Jeff Matthews]

I have no choice other than to run flat...my linestage preamp has no tone controls.

As it should.....

I run flat, but my vote mis-registered as EQ. Now, I've screwed the thread up (skewed it), and it won't let me vote again to discount the error in my vote. FWOW.

[intotubes]

Nobody here runs "flat" unless they use room treatments and EQ the response to be "flat". So, most here are all over the map -- tone controls or not.

C'mon Dean. You know what I mean...

I keep the tone controls on center. I just want to hear what the amp is doing with the speakers. Don't want to add any "interference". Of course it is a personal preference - don't want to start an argument, just curious what others do.

[Speedball]

With my equipment tone controls MUST be used or it sounds like someone threw a heavy blanket over my speakers. Maybe one day I will not have to but meanwhile tone controls will be used with much satisfaction.

[MrMcGoo]

I do exactly what Michael does, except that I use a Pioneer for the equalization and processing. Care needs to be used not to over boost any frequency. It also takes a better amp to avoid clipping on an EQed system due to the boost.

Bill

[garymd]

Nobody here runs "flat" unless they use room treatments and EQ the response to be "flat". So, most here are all over the map -- tone controls or not.

Good point Dean but you know that wasn't the intention of the poll. Many of us have no tone controls and let the room do its thing, flat or not. I have an EQ sitting on a shelf in my basement. I think my system sounds better without it although I liked it when I ran a SS receiver. Now it just takes away from the nice tube sound.

[Jeff Matthews]

I'll tell you what would be an interesting poll. Have a combo poll.

Flat or EQ

Then:

Tube less than 50 watts

Tube greater than 50 and less than 100 watts

Tube greater than 100 watts

SS less than 50 watts

SS greater than 50 and less than 100 watts

SS greater than 100 watts

I'd bet the EQ trend is higher in the lower power range.

[Invidiosulus]

Yamaha HTR-5540 flat

NAD 3150 flat

HK 430 flat

[steamer]

I voted for flat...

but on second thought my BagEnd bass system uses an EQ to do its thing but other than that I have no preamp unless you count the Rane xover to set levels for low and high...are these tone controls?

if so then I voted wrong!

Greg

[Allan Songer]

McIntosh C30s, C22

Flat unless I'm spinning old pre-RIAA 78s (about 4 times a year for a day or two) and then I have to use the tone controls to get somewhere near the EQ curve they were mastered with

[homemade]

I used to run a 10band eq and than bought a 15band eq and haven't used it lately. Used to reduce the 125hz signal on my homebuilt khorns by 6db and boosted the 30hz band around 10db. Finally built a sub for the khorns and use the sub adjustments to suit my taste and run the rest of the khorn flat. Sure, I get a little boost in the 125hz range but with the sub I boost the lowest octave accordingly. I love the extra punch in the lowest octave and don't notice the 125hz bump anymore. Treble is just fine flat. Without the sub, I would have to run an eq. Just couldn't stand the "thin" sound without the extra lower octave boost.

[mark1101]

I still have an EQ in my system but I barely use it at all anymore. I stopped using it pretty much when I set up and dialed in my center channel using a PWK mini box and a single heresy. After that I found the EQ is required only rarely now.

[3dzapper]

No tone controls, low powered amps (20W and 8W) no special room treatments other than common sense, and bass that has been "WOWed" by others more than once.

Rick

[mobile homeless]

Nobody here runs "flat" unless they use room treatments and EQ the response to be "flat". So, most here are all over the map -- tone controls or not.

Good lord...

[mobile homeless]

I'd bet the EQ trend is higher in the lower power range.

Is there any way we can combine this with Dean's post as a Klipsch Forum 1-2 punch?

[whell]

No tone controls on my integrated amp.

[Fish]

Yea,I run treble 0,bass +1,it fills the bottom in a little in a large room.My other set up is flat.