External Graphic EQ?

[aphex]

Is there any graphic equalizer's like the Behringer Ultra Pro DEQ2496, except with less features, smaller, but the same type of LCD display?

The Behrenger looks amazing, but has way more features than i'll ever need. At $300 its not bad, but a bit overkill for what i'll use it for.

 

[Modelworks]

If you do it with just line level signals there are plenty of equalizers that are way cheaper.
The cost of that model is in the D-A conversion involved.

 

[Tiamat]

Aphex, I have been experimenting with software digital parametric equalization through foobar2k VST and have gotten quite excellent results from IIEQ. What is it you are actually wanting to do? In my case, I wanted to eliminate a peak in the upper frequencies and it worked out quite well. Are you planning on using the EQ for corrective measures or for subjectively different sound quality?

For corrective measures, the PEQ is better because you can accurately (reasonably for free software) the bandwidth, center frequency, and gain of the bandpass filter(s).

For subjective different sound quality, a hardware analog graphical equalizer may be preferable since you would be able to change the bands at your will with your fingers. The problem with this route is that many affordable graphical equilizers are 1/3 octave bands, and this may not be fine enough for you.

The software PEQ that I use has 10 bands that you can fine-tune each one of them.

Remember that you cannot really boost any frequencies as this will quickly increase the demands on the headphone driver and amplifier. With software PEQ, the situation with boosting is even worse as the signal clips/distorts within the music player (since most modern music is already at 0dB or worse). For some classical music that is recorded at -10dB, you can get away with boosting in the software.

 

[aphex]

Well my purpose was two fold. I was hoping to have something between my DAC and my Amp just for some minor frequency tweaking between the different headphones i'll be using. Nothing too major really. Also, I like to have my LCD turn off after a short period of time and as sad as it is, I like watching the frequency spectrum as I relax and listen 🙂 As nice as some of the software based spectrum analyzer's are, I would love to have a small box that did the same.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: aphex
Well my purpose was two fold. I was hoping to have something between my DAC and my Amp just for some minor frequency tweaking between the different headphones i'll be using. Nothing too major really. Also, I like to have my LCD turn off after a short period of time and as sad as it is, I like watching the frequency spectrum as I relax and listen 🙂 As nice as some of the software based spectrum analyzer's are, I would love to have a small box that did the same.

While, I don't have any solutions for external spectrum analyzer, I do understand your need to see it 🙂 I have one running on my foobar2k with fast fourier transform size of 8192. I like seeing individual notes correspond to their frequencies, I wish I could get a larger FFT size though as it's resolution below 100hz is too coarse.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: Tiamat

Originally posted by: aphex
Well my purpose was two fold. I was hoping to have something between my DAC and my Amp just for some minor frequency tweaking between the different headphones i'll be using. Nothing too major really. Also, I like to have my LCD turn off after a short period of time and as sad as it is, I like watching the frequency spectrum as I relax and listen 🙂 As nice as some of the software based spectrum analyzer's are, I would love to have a small box that did the same.

While, I don't have any solutions for external spectrum analyzer, I do understand your need to see it 🙂 I have one running on my foobar2k with fast fourier transform size of 8192. I like seeing individual notes correspond to their frequencies, I wish I could get a larger FFT size though as it's resolution below 100hz is too coarse.

Strangely enough, i'm don't really even see any software based (OSX) ones either 🙁

I've run across a few cheap models on eBay, but being that they all look so old I worry what they will do to my sound. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...X:IT&item=120332656451

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: aphex

Originally posted by: Tiamat

Originally posted by: aphex
Well my purpose was two fold. I was hoping to have something between my DAC and my Amp just for some minor frequency tweaking between the different headphones i'll be using. Nothing too major really. Also, I like to have my LCD turn off after a short period of time and as sad as it is, I like watching the frequency spectrum as I relax and listen 🙂 As nice as some of the software based spectrum analyzer's are, I would love to have a small box that did the same.

While, I don't have any solutions for external spectrum analyzer, I do understand your need to see it 🙂 I have one running on my foobar2k with fast fourier transform size of 8192. I like seeing individual notes correspond to their frequencies, I wish I could get a larger FFT size though as it's resolution below 100hz is too coarse.

Strangely enough, i'm don't really even see any software based (OSX) ones either 🙁

I've run across a few cheap models on eBay, but being that they all look so old I worry what they will do to my sound. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...X:IT&item=120332656451

Unfortunately, I've spent most of my time with Windows, so I don't know of any good solutions for Apple users :/

Most of the spectrum analyzers I see (the ancient ones) are only 1 octave resolution. Is this good enough for you? I prefer better than 1/6 octave if not 1/12 octave, but that is just my "requirement".

Good hardware spectrum analyzers cost in the thousands, here are some freeware for some software based analyzers. I haven't tried any of them so I dunno if they are good.

On the Headfi forums, you could check the "Computer as source" forum to see what they deem the "best" softwares for your system.

While perhaps gimmicky, I dunno if you could modify some small external VFD to show the spectrum analysis... (referring to those small external displays commonly found on HTPC cases)


Edit: I noticed plenty of the members there (at headfi) are enjoying brand new macbook pros. So, it would seem possible they may be able to hook you up with some freeware or advice.