TESTING SPEAKERS

Generally, the lower rung of equiptment has these controls. If that is all you can afford for now, then by all means, see if you like the sound better. It may not be accurate,but hey,your knobs,give them a turn.I must also tell you there is usually a lot of distortion in budget equipmet.Turning the knobs at louder levels exacerbates this condition,and this can blow your speakers.

There is a no "always" answer to your question. Let me explain: Great sounding "high end" electronics do not have these bass and treble controls. This is because these controls impart phase shifts when they are utilized . Read; somewhat smeared, less coherent sound quality that is noticable in a serious sound system (in which you sit equadistant between each speaker ...this is how us "high end" guys seriously listen to music ). Now, if you are comparing speakers with a receiver or integrated amp, which has these tone controls. This unit was probably not designed to have transparent ultra "high end" sound qualities. I have found that these "mid-fi" products sometimes need to have a reduction in treble (due to their harsh treble), or a partial boost the bass to sound half decent and tolerable. In the end, I think the answer to your question depends if you plan on always using a unit with these type of controls, or eventually plan on upgrading to a better, "high end" electronic front end (that probably won't have the tone controls).If you plan on upgrading, then don't fool around with the controls when doing a speaker audition ,i.e. keep them at the 12:00 position. On the other hand, if you always are going to use mid-fi electronics, then consider using the settings that you prefer on the tone controls. This will show you how each speaker reacts to these tonal colorations that you prefer.

I suggest to keep the 12 setting in both to keep a common basis for comparison. Keep in mind that loudspeakers and equipment in general do have a break-in hours and if you are comparing brand new or very low hours speakers they might not be yielding their best.

If you want to listen to or audition great or otherwise speakers do not add any external tone or EQ modification. Since you have a photog background listen in black and white before you buy. Adding color to a carefully constructed image may be interesting, but it furthers an illusionary view. Speakers are composition, detail and focus. Enjoy

IN MY OPINION,YOU HAVE TO BREAK-IN THE SPEAKER FIRST (AT LEAST 60 MINUTE OF WABBLE AND ONE MINUTE OF DEGAUSSING) BEFORE YOU WILL HAVE A GOOD AUDITION OF THE SPEAKER.