Behringer DEQ 2496 help

Cwlondon..."Line level" (analog) for pro equipment is higher than the usual for home audio equipment, not lower. The potential problem is that home audio equipment will provide a less than optimal signal input to the pro gear (for example: the DEQ2496). Clipping is not an issue here.

In the digital world clipping just means that all the bits are used up. Sixteen bits set is the largest value that a CD can represent, and if the analog signal goes above that the digital signal stays "stuck" at 16 bits. (Actually it's one "sign" bit (+/-) and fifteen bits of value).
Obviously the CD has a 16 bit clipping level, and if the digital input scaling is bit-for-bit you will not clip in the DEQ2496 no matter how close you come. I do remember that the DEQ2496 "CLIP" indicators light up a bit below clipping (3dB or so) and it is possible that a CD may have been made right up to clipping. The DEQ2496 would only be affectes by actual clipping, not a close call. Unlike analog equipment performance of digital does not deteriorate neat to clipping.

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.

Your systems are probably not crappy, but your rooms probably are. Most fun you can have with your clothes on! Certainly the "bargain of the century".
.

In my case, "correcting for the room" is curious:

* I just made significant changes to the room with acoustic panels (I suppose it used to be even worse?)

* In this system, I am listening to small monitors in a "nearfield" configuration

Is it possible that my EQ curve is adjusting the curve of my speakers more than the curve of my room?

In any case, it really is a surprisingly big difference.

Mark Levinson could put the chip in a big heavy case with red LEDs and sell it for $30,000.