Choosing an Audio Equalizer for Your Home Theater

An audio equalizer is a device that enhances the quality of sound that comes from your speakers. It has a stronger control of the tone and frequency than the knobs marked treble or bass. Audio equalizers have become more sophisticated over time. There are now very many types of equalizers in the market. As a buyer, you are spllt for choice not knowing what type or model of equalizer you would want to purchase. However, the best criterion to use when choosing an audio equalizer is the features you wish to have access to, by purchasing such a device. There are generally three types of audio equalizers, each having distinct features different from the others. Among these three, choose the one that best meets your entertainment needs.

Graphic Equalizer

The graphic equalizer derives its name from the shape of graphs that appear on its screen. It has a distinct number of filters and each of these filters has a different appearance on the scale. Among the three, this is the simplest form of equalizer. This equalizer has a number of sliders that cut or boost bands of sound. A graphic equalizer with five bands of sound has the same number of frequencies. The frequencies are fixed. They range from low bass, mid bass, mid range, upper midrange, treble and high frequency. Graphic equalizer can only cut or boost frequencies within specified ranges. Greater variety can only be achieved by increasing the number of bands. Therefore, a 10-band equalizer will provide a greater variety of sound when compared with a 5-band equalizer. It also has enhanced ability to control tone.

Shelving Equalizer

This is a basic equalizer machine. It derived its name from the shape formed on the graph by the high and low frequency lines. The shelving equalizer has a number of knobs that control treble and bass in the sound produced. It is a very common equalizer and many mixers and amplifiers are equipped with one. Some equalizers in this category include a midrange knob that controls a midpoint frequency.

Parametric Equalizers

This is the most sophisticated equalizer among the three. It facilitates the use of a higher number of sound parameters in relation to the other two. The parametric equalizer has control of three features in any frequency. It controls the cut or boost of sound (level). It also controls the primary frequency. For instance, where the shelving equalizer may only control 10 Hz, the parametric may also control the center frequency of 5 Hz and 15 Hz. Parametric equalizers control the bandwidth. It can influence a change in bandwidth by making its effect wider or narrower according to one’s preference.

Some parametric equalizers are also equipped with a notch filter. A notch filter controls feedback within the system. A notch filter has no ability to trigger the boost in sound but has ability to influence a drop in sound. The modern sophisticated notch filter has ability to detect any feedback in sound and diminish its effect.