| Equalizers are used to fine tune a system, not to fix design flaws of your mobile audio system. If you have to use a lot of equalization, there is a problem with the system that should be solved first by relocating speakers, changing crossover frequencies, amplifier gains, etc. Equalizers are valuable instruments to flatten a system's frequency response (making the levels the same at all frequencies). In competition, a measurement is taken on how flat the response of a system is. More points are given to a competitor with a flatter response. In a real system, a flat frequency response is a starting point, but does not ultimately mean perfect sound since human ears are not sensitive at the same level to all frequencies.
Many people believe that an equalizer is to boost power by raising signal levels. 95% of the time an equalizer should be used to cut levels rather than boost them. In a well designed system the settings on an equalizer should not be too far from the zero dB line.
Mono Vs. Stereo EQs
The main difference between mono and stereo EQs is that a mono EQ has only one input and one output, and a stereo has two inputs and two outputs. They both have their advantages and disadvantages: A stereo EQ controls your whole system (both left and right channels) and it is easy to adjust: Just turn the knob or slider and both left and right channels are taken care of. If you want to adjust left and right channels independently, you can't!
A mono EQ controls only one channel, so you need two of them for the whole system. Since you have now two EQs it takes a lot more time to setup the system. Many people use mono EQs for the greater control they give over the system. Since left and right speakers are not exactly at the same distance to our ears, two mono EQs can help compensate for time delays and problems caused by speaker placement. Buying two mono equalizers is more expensive than buying one stereo EQ.
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