Eq Differences ?

[smellyfuzz]

What is the main difference between a home stereo EQ and Pro Audio Eq.

I mean dollar for dollar.


Sean

[Stefan Elmblad]

The Pro Audio EQ is Pro Audio.

[smellyfuzz]

You call that an answer ?

[littledog]

most home stereo EQ's are unbalanced/-10, while most pro EQ's are balanced/+4.

most home stereo EQ's are graphic, while most pro EQ's are parametric, allowing far more precise tonal sculpting.

in general, a pro EQ will sound more musical, especially when higher levels of cuts or boosts are added.

the quality of components should be higher on most pro EQ's, resulting in quieter pots, less self noise, and a more robust construction.

[Harvey Gerst]

Home stereo eq is designed to work on a stereo mix, plain and simple. It's usually set so that the pivot point on the treble and bass controls is at the center of the audio range, i.e., 1,000 Hz (equal number of octaves above and below this frequency). Typical stereo tone controls are simple shelving devices designed to raise or lower everything equally.

Pro audio equalizers are more surgical in nature, designed to sculpt the sound in a pleasing way by boosting or cutting various user selected frequencies and offering a broader range of sculpting tools. They're usually quieter, lower distortion, and less obtrusive then their home stereo cousins.

They are also more likely to be used on an individual instrument track, rather than the whole stereo mix, however there are mastering eqs which are super precise (and VERY expensive).