All speakers have a little EQ built in

erik_squires OP

I replaced my speaker’s level controls recently,

vintage electrovoice 4 way, 16 ohm L-Pads (not potentiometers). Pair labeled Presence and Brilliance

vintage AR-2ax, two pairs of speakers, 3 way: two 8 ohm L pads each pair. Also renewed the AR-2ax crossover capacitors. Electrovoice crossover is components in a metal can full of tar. I’ve been advised by custom crossover makers to leave them alone.

then I use a microphone, ear level seated position, with tracks 9 to 28 from this GRP/Carver test tone CD

then spent a day and a half carefully balancibg them so frequencies not only blended equally but frequencies do not vary side to side

Oh no!  Please say it ain't so...  I guess if they all got it right all speakers would sound the same.   Long live EQ!

All costly speakers sound "high end " if they are high end ...

No need for EQ nor any acoustics concepts not even need to own some ears  ... The price tag say it all and the owner manual ...😉

Oh no!  Please say it ain't so...  I guess if they all got it right all speakers would sound the same.   Long live EQ!

As one who occasionally dabbles in crossover design, often with one eye on the frequency response curve and the other on the impedance curve, I’d like to toss out an observation:

Equalizing a frequency response anomaly without introducing an impedance curve anomaly often calls for twice as many crossover parts as equalizing the frequency response curve alone. The impedance curve is arguably of greater consequence when designing with tube amps in mind than when optimizing for solid state amps.

It would never occur to me to hand over my crossover parts count to my marketing department lest they attempt to ascribe virtue to the sheer number, but I got a chuckle out of something that happened at an audio show:

This guy came into the room and sighed as if he was finally hearing something relaxing, and said to me, "I can tell you’re using a very simple first-order crossover." He was close! There were actually twenty-seven elements in that crossover, but the acoustic rolloff WAS first-order for about 2/3 octave on either side of the crossover frequency.

Duke

dealer/manufacturer

How about single driver speakers sans any crossovers.

I think there is a purity and simplicity there that is another avenue to pursue.

Your hearing also has some inherent frequencies deficiencies especially as we get older. The pursuit of audio perfection is something you can chase your whole life. I guess that’s why it’s a hobby.

Some people are in it for the love of the equipment and that continued quest. Others are more in it for the enjoyment  of the music. The constant upgrading can sometimes get in the way of enjoyment of the music. 
I know I am guilty as charged.