I would use the equalizer to compensate for room effects and system imperfections, as well as to reflect my frequency response preferences. For the compensation part, use a sound level meter and a frequency sweep recording to find the settings that provide the flattest response. There are dedicated systems made by Rives and other companies that do this very well.
After these adjustments, I would add any additional changes for personal taste, such as boosting the bass, etc. Clearly, this last is not an audiophile approved adjustment, but hey its your system, not theirs.
Equalizers that I have owned and liked include those made by Audio Control and Rane. The Audio Control line offers a selection of features you may want. Rane makes products more for recording pros, and I think they cause relatively fewer insertion losses. Remember when picking an equalizer that sometimes the room resonance issues you want to address are relatively narrow in frequency band, so you might want a unit that offers some precision with many narrow bands of adjustment.
Another equalizer that I have heard good things about is the Cello Palette, now long out of production. I have never owned one, but I understand it is quite "musical," although it doesn't offer control over a large number of bands. Made by Cello under Mark Levinson (the man), the Palette was originally quite expensive, but it could be fairly affordable used. Good luck.
After these adjustments, I would add any additional changes for personal taste, such as boosting the bass, etc. Clearly, this last is not an audiophile approved adjustment, but hey its your system, not theirs.
Equalizers that I have owned and liked include those made by Audio Control and Rane. The Audio Control line offers a selection of features you may want. Rane makes products more for recording pros, and I think they cause relatively fewer insertion losses. Remember when picking an equalizer that sometimes the room resonance issues you want to address are relatively narrow in frequency band, so you might want a unit that offers some precision with many narrow bands of adjustment.
Another equalizer that I have heard good things about is the Cello Palette, now long out of production. I have never owned one, but I understand it is quite "musical," although it doesn't offer control over a large number of bands. Made by Cello under Mark Levinson (the man), the Palette was originally quite expensive, but it could be fairly affordable used. Good luck.