Eldartford
Thanks for all your help on this device as usual.
I am working my way through the various features and menus and getting more comfortable with it.
What is more interesting is the following:
I tried the RTA function on a couple of occasions, but my audiophile roots weren't quite comfortable using the EQ - I suppose my natural aversion to "tone controls".
Also, I really liked the sound of my ATC SCM7s for my desktop setup and tended to use the parametric EQ only as more of a loudness contour for lower level listening.
Recently, however, I ran the RTA, and then tinkered with the results a bit, in general rolling off the highs just a bit more, and increasing the bass just a bit to help these small monitors out a bit.
With these settings which were probably 75-80% RTA derived and 20-25% tweaking by me, I have been listening to the same ATCs for a few days.
Last night, I pushed the bypass button I was floored ?!?! by the results.
Suddenly, the speakers sounded very lifeless, less detailed, unsatisfyingly rolled off in the bass and very congested and nasally sounding in the midrange.
Only a few days ago, I couldnt imagine describing these speakers in this way.
So I am starting to wonder:
Either 1) we audiophiles are all completely insane re "straight wire with gain" nonsense and 2) this Behringer EQ is not only a revolutionary device but also the bargain of the century
or
Tweaking tone controls 1) can create euphonic coloration and 2) one's ears adjust very quickly to this, and listen through to the speaker.
In this argument, if someone secretly bypassed the EQ I would still enjoy my monitors and not necessarily miss the EQ.
Whatever the case, this continues to be some of the most fun I have ever had for $299 bucks. And I have had a lot of fun in my life.