How to Adjust an Equalizer on a Stereo
One of the easiest and most convenient tools for adjusting audio is probably right at your fingertips. Old-school equipment usually featured physical sliders (analog) on the front, while modern models incorporate such controls in a graphical digital form (or sometimes as part of an app or software, depending on your setup).
Before you even touch the equalizer, make sure that all speakers are placed correctly. If the speakers aren’t already positioned to sound their best, adjusting the equalizer controls won’t create the sought-after impact. If you don’t know how or are unsure, follow proper placement guidelines to help correctly set speakers. By doing so, you’ll be starting from the best sound possible in your listening room. Set equalizer controls to neutral by starting with the equalizer controls (whether hardware and/or software) set at the neutral or 0 positions. You don’t know who may have touched them last, so it’s always prudent to check the levels first. Each slider adjusts a specific frequency band, labeled in hertz (Hz), with the vertical motion increasing/decreasing the decibel (dB) output. Low-end frequencies (bass) are located on the left, highs (treble) on the right, and midrange in between. Adjust equalizer controls based on your opinion or listening preferences, making small adjustments (increase or decrease) to one frequency control at a time. Be sure to play music that you’re intimately familiar with so you can be certain about the resulting sound. Even a small adjustment can make a big impact because all frequencies interact with each other and affect the overall performance. Reduce Frequencies Keep in mind that it’s considered the best practice to cut or reduce frequencies instead of increasing them. This may seem counterintuitive at first since pushing the dial up results in providing more, but boosted signals can quickly erode clarity and develop unwanted distortion, which defeats the purpose of fine-tuning for the best sound. If you want to hear brighter treble in general, reduce the levels of midrange and low-end frequencies. For more bass, tone down the treble and midrange. It’s all about balance and proportion. Evaluate the sound quality after making the adjustment to allow a moment of listening to appreciate the resulting effect; changes typically don’t happen immediately. You may also want to turn the volume up a bit, especially if a few frequencies have been adjusted down. Re-adjust the controls to make further, minor changes, or pick another frequency band and repeat Step 3 until you’ve achieved the desired sound quality. It can be beneficial to play different music tracks that showcase a variety of vocals and/or instruments in order to zero in on a specific sound. Don’t be afraid to play and experiment with all of the equalizer settings.
It’s All About Taste
Much like with the taste of food, listening to music is a subjective experience. Whether a casual listener or dedicated audiophile, people tend to have certain preferences. Some of us opt to augment our meals with a sprinkle of spices such as salt, pepper, cinnamon, or salsa. The same concept applies to audio, and the equalizer controls provide that element of customization.
If you don’t know how or are unsure, follow proper placement guidelines to help correctly set speakers. By doing so, you’ll be starting from the best sound possible in your listening room.
Each slider adjusts a specific frequency band, labeled in hertz (Hz), with the vertical motion increasing/decreasing the decibel (dB) output. Low-end frequencies (bass) are located on the left, highs (treble) on the right, and midrange in between.
Be sure to play music that you’re intimately familiar with so you can be certain about the resulting sound. Even a small adjustment can make a big impact because all frequencies interact with each other and affect the overall performance.
Reduce Frequencies
Keep in mind that it’s considered the best practice to cut or reduce frequencies instead of increasing them. This may seem counterintuitive at first since pushing the dial up results in providing more, but boosted signals can quickly erode clarity and develop unwanted distortion, which defeats the purpose of fine-tuning for the best sound.
If you want to hear brighter treble in general, reduce the levels of midrange and low-end frequencies. For more bass, tone down the treble and midrange. It’s all about balance and proportion.
You may also want to turn the volume up a bit, especially if a few frequencies have been adjusted down.
Remember, only you get to know and decide what sounds good to your ears, so trust in what you hear and enjoy.
When to Adjust the Equalizer
Sometimes the use of a stereo audio equalizer can be less about enhancement and more about bridging a deficit. Different brands and models of speakers exhibit unique sonic signatures, so the equalizer can help sculpt and fine-tune the output.
Maybe a pair of stereo speakers puts too much emphasis on the lows and highs. Or, maybe there’s a frequency dip that needs to be smoothed out. Either way, different speakers might require different settings, and judicious use of the EQ controls can help improve overall sound without too much effort.
Most people don’t own and use a real-time analyzer, which is perfectly fine. The best way to learn how to adjust a stereo audio equalizer is by ear, using personal listening preferences as a guide, but it helps if you use some audio test tracks.
Everyone has different opinions about the best sound, so use the following steps to adjust an equalizer to your tastes. Just keep in mind that small adjustments can go a long way for perfection.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 30 minutes
