Bob Burwen imparts his knowledge

@clearthink Having not spoken to Burwen directly, I would...assume...his thought process was beyond the point of system building. We know to select equipment with ultra-low harmonic distortion (in theory). I agree with your point regarding speed error. However, you'll probably encounter these situations in 1 out of 40-50 system configurations...very rough estimate. The vast majority of systems - correlating to his claim - could yield improved performance with equalization. I would argue equalization won't be the end all be all for every system...equalization isn't wrong because it's not a one size fits all solution for every system configuration....but it IS far too often overlooked - most times intentionally for a number of "audiophile purist" reasons - that will make a big difference in overall performance.

clearthink...

" Coloration is a deviation from a desired response. "

I would go even further...

" Coloration is a deviation from what was recorded." 

So how does one know exactly what the original track "should" sound like - since the sound engineer can "adjust" the final product to their will.

My approach - I have played several instruments over the years, to the point where their sound has become "ingrained" in my brain.

What if you have never played a musical instrument?
- seek out some live performances
- try to listen to a soloist
- Orchestral performances in small venues are good if not amplified

Has my system ever reproduced what was recorded - I would never be so bold as to make that claim, but it seems close enough to allow me to appreciate the more subtle nuances of the music and the venue.

WRT...

So to Mr. Burwen's claim that we just need an equalizer to insure proper performance - that's simplistic to the point of being just wrong

I have to agree in this case - he's dumb'd it down to make a point

As fore the statement from cdwallace3

.but it IS far too often overlooked - most times intentionally for a number of "audiophile purist" reasons

I guess I can see this point to some extent...you've read it right here on this forum - a person that is looking  for
-  a warmer sounding speaker 
- a speaker with a more dominant mid or high end
- a cable that will improve a specific frequency range

They may spend $$$ to replace a component, cable or speakers when an EQ might just do the job.

Having said that, I believe all electronic components colour the sound  - so introducing yet another component into the audio path, simply to augment a frequency range is not something I'd consider to be the best approach.

Not to mention the cost of all the additional cables.

Regards...

@williewonka In this example, you wouldn’t use a music track to testing purposes. You’d use 20-20KHz white noise. Essentially, you’d have to. Every recording is going to carry some sort of "signature" or coloration, if you will. That is you’re going to measure your system with the intent of the flattest response you can get. That’s kind of the fork in the road: You build your system to reproduce the flattest response it can and the tweak to your liking, or build your system to give you what you want with no regard to measured accuracy. Its like salt on your food. Some like it a lot, other are very sensitive to it and don’t want any.

I agree with you. The more components in the signal, the higher the chance of coloration. Component matching can be critical once you reach a certain performance level.

cdwallace3 - OK now I see where YOU are going with this. I assume you would use an SPL meter to determine output levels at the various frequency ranges.

I agree though that a "methodize’d approach" as you describe, should get you a pretty flat response. 

However - Mr Burwen seems to use his ears - from his web site...

Using 12 of the sliders above, on the screen of a notebook PC, you balance to your taste the tone and ambiance of
any 1 to 8 channel program source played through all your speakers .

Depending on what location you conduct the setup (e.g. at the speaker of at the listening position) you may still suffer standing waves, which I am not sure that an EQ will solve because they tend to be at a very narrow frequency range.

Perhaps this thread will inspire the owners of an EQ to test YOUR approach and let us know if they preferred the sound they had compared to the sound as adjusted, by their ears.

I think there will always be a "divide" as to what people believe makes a difference. Do companies commit a "fraud" or can they scientifically prove their products make a difference?

It really is up to the individual to perform their own "Due Diligence" and the assess the perceived value of any product.

However - I still consider much of what Mr’ Burmen’s states in his sound bite to be more like -  "mis-information".

EXAMPLE - His ridicule of the difference cables can make is one area where I have observed significant improvements in sound quality - so for me - many of his comments seem to be based more on conjecture than fact.

But again - Different strokes for different folks :-)

Thanks for the enlightenment.