Bob Burwen imparts his knowledge

Did anyone understand what he meant by "Frequency Response"?

Is it simply having a FR from 20-20k? (or greater)

Or does it also include the the actual "shape" of the waveform? Which I consider another aspect of frequency "response"

What do I mean? - if you take a perfect sine-wave and feed it into different amps the actual shape of the output waveform will vary slightly, dependent on the circuitry and parts used in the amp

- if the circuit has a "fast" response, the output waveform will be closer to the original.
-whereas if the circuit has a "slower" response the waveform will not be as accurately reproduced, resulting in a tonal variation,

One "metric" often talked about in audio circles that demonstrates this aspect is PRAT. The term I prefer to use is "Dynamic Performance".

e.g.- the ability to reproduce the "crack of a rim shot requires extremely fast dynamic performance in an amp - which means the waveform has been reproduced more faithfully. Some amps do not sound as "crisp" as others.

I have also observed this type of tonal variation when using different cables of all types - i.e. IC’s, speaker and power cables. But he believes cables do not add any value? (Hmmm.)

Then there were his rather generalized observations pertaining to speakers - where he did not mention anything about the tonal variations from one speaker to the next that are dependent on so many factors, such as driver choice, cross over design, cabinet design and materials used.
- so if I hear him correctly, an equalizer will make all speakers sound alike?
- I don’t think he thought this one out too clearly either

I do believe that this hobby if far more complex than the rather simplified observations Mr. Burwen has talked about - but if they work for him, so be it.

But he does sound a bit like Donald Trump - "It’s all fake!!!"

For the rest of us - the truth is out there :-)

BTW - this is just another opinion.

@williewonka your response seems fitting...

At its simplest, the frequency response is MEASURED output. Unless you’re willing to MEASURE and quantify your findings as fact, everything use is mute.

Sine-waves are essentially frequency shapes.

Different materials have different conductive properties and can color the signal.

Equalization is used to tailor signal coloration.

I’ll repeat my initial point...unless your willing to MEASURE and quantify those findings as fact...good luck finding the truth. Then again, perception is perceived reality.

Cdwallace3,...

Equalization is used to tailor signal coloration

My understanding of equalizers - they allow you to  augment or boost one or more of  a defined set of frequency ranges. Whereas coloration can be a far more complex and intricate scenario.

Or am I missing something 😞

High level, its one in the same. Coloration is a deviation from a desired response. Equalization "corrects" it, or brings the frequency back to the desired response. Yes, it has its complexities and intentionally oversimplifying it,  but it ultimately is a just that. A deviation from a desired response.

The less ambiguous the explanation, the less subjectivity you have....which will quickly over-complicate the conversation.

" Coloration is a deviation from a desired response. "

This is a very simplistic view because coloration can be caused by many things other than just a simple deviation from FR. For example we have THD which can be perceived in a music reproduction system as coloration but it is something other than just a FR deviation or anomaly. In an analog-based system we can have minor speed errors that may not detectable as such but which are interpreted by the ear/brain interface as "coloration" in the music reproduction system. 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.