Equalization

bstbomber,  I still remember that I had to constantly adjust my old inexpensive receiver's controls.  It was either too bassy, too veiled, too bright etc.  Almost every CD needed some adjustment.  Today, with better source, amp and speakers I don't need to adjust anything.  I also noticed that the cheapest boom boxes have all sorts of controls including graphic equalizers. There is a reason for that.  Tone controls don't improve transparency and don't come for free.  Same goes for balance control, (that I don't need).  I like to listen to music the way it was intended.