Behringer DEQ2496: Ease of Use

Everyone commenting about the audio quality of the DEQ2496 should be sure that it is operating at an appropriate signal level...not down in the mud. This signal level is a bit higher than the typical "line level" of consumer audio equipment. 24 bit digital devices don't buy you much if you only tickle the lower ten bits!

I have my system set up so that when I play a CD from beginning to end the peak (maximum) signal level (which the DEQ2496 logs and displays) runs 3 to 6 dB down from CLIP. Average level (the green LEDs) runs about -20 dB most of the time during play. When set up this way, the output of the DEQ2496 needs attenuation for input to my power amps.

Once I realized this requirement there was significant improvement of audio quality.

Warnerwh...Clipping would be obvious, from the Red LED flashing, and from the Peak reading saying "CLIP". Digital clipping can occur in the input A/D or the output D/A, but not in the digital processing which is implemented by a floating point device.

Warnerwh...You keep corrections to 2 or 3 dB max? Reminds me of Bill Clinton's statement. "I smoked pot, but I didn't inhale" :-)

I suppose it all depends on the room and the speakers. Frankly I find it a bit hard to believe that a 2dB correction is worth the trouble. My rear speakers occupy alcove bookshelves, a horible place from the audio viewpoint. They need a lot more than 3dB cut at about 65 Hz.

You are right about the Behringer being educational. Also, FWIW, it's fun!

Trelja...If one is using the input A/D or the output D/A it is essential (for a valid evaluation) that the signal level be close to, but not over, clipping. This can be a problem with typical consumer audio equipment if the DEQ2496 is inserted in the TAPE loop. I have mine between preamp and power amp, with a lot of attenuation going into the power amp, so that the preamp output is high.

Also, note that RAM does upgrades to this unit which they claim make it the equal of the best DACs. About $1600 for all the bells and whistles (including transformer outputs). Of course the price of this upgrade removes the unit from the "dirt cheap" category, to the "audiophile inexpensive" category. If I find a grand laying around I may send one of my three units off to see what they can do for it.

Warnerwh...I understand your point of view. But consider that if you use the "Feedback Destroyer" to do the cuts the bandwidth can be 1/60 octave, and you wouldn't have to worry about affecting adjacent frequencies.

I am using maximum cut around 60 Hz for my rear speakers that are mounted in alcoves. It's the alcoves which seem to function as a resonant external part of the speaker enclosure..ie: the 60 Hz hump is not caused by the room at large. As such, I am correcting response of the speaker itself, so I don't get into the direct vs reflected sound issue. Whatever...it works.