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How-To: "Perfect" iTunes Equalizer Settings

post #1 of 13
10/3/09 at 2:59am
Thread Starter 
Hey guys,

I came across a tip for what was stated as "Perfect" Equalizer settings for iTunes.

Currently I had been using the Equalizer setting of "Flat", which on my MacBook and my desktop speakers both sounded all right to me.

After switching to these settings, I must say I hear a load of difference!

I'm sure many of you Audiophiles already have your own settings, but give this a try if you haven't already, and let me know what you think.

I have to say that I am extremely pleased with these settings and honestly believe they are completely "perfect".


Quick Guide:

Open iTunes, and then choose the "Equalizer" option under "Window" if you're on Mac OS X. I'm not sure if it's under the same option or not on Windows.

Once you've opened the Equalizer, set each option to the following:



db +3, +6, +9, +7, +3, +2, +5, +9, +11, +8 db

I hope you guys enjoy this tip, or if you have your own "perfect" settings, let me know!
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post #2 of 13
10/3/09 at 3:02am
With the proper equipment the best equalizer setting is "off"
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post #3 of 13
10/3/09 at 3:02am
"Improving" media is always wrong. You're not listening to it the way it was meant to be listened to, and with video, you're not watching it the way they intended.

Think about it. A lot of work goes into getting it just right. You might as well write your own songs if you're into changing stuff.

The only exception is when you're not "improving" the media, just compensating for your monitor or speakers or something else... which you're not ;E But even then, it's questionable.
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post #4 of 13
10/3/09 at 3:03am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by gonX View Post
With the proper equipment the best equalizer setting is "off"
Definitely true However, I don't know how many people have the "proper" equipment

I don't have my system from my car in my house with me, so these settings are amazing to me and make a LOAD of difference!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Coma View Post
"Improving" media is always wrong. You're not listening to it the way it was meant to be listened to, and with video, you're not watching it the way they intended.

Think about it. A lot of work goes into getting it just right. You might as well write your own songs if you're into changing stuff.

The only exception is when you're not "improving" the media, just compensating for your monitor or speakers or something else... which you're not ;E
Then by that logic, I should remove the subs from my car and remove the amp too, huh? If I'm supposed to listen to music how I'm "supposed" to, then I shouldn't have a system or anything to alter the way it sounds to sound perfect in my view, right?

I understand what you're trying to say, but it doesn't make any logical sense.

I don't care how I'm "supposed" to hear the music. I want it to sound best to my ears with the equipment that I have. If changing EQ settings to improve the sound to my ears is what can be done, then I'm happy with it.
Edited by halifax1 - 10/3/09 at 3:05am
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post #5 of 13
10/3/09 at 3:05am
The amp and subs attempt to reproduce. The equalizer modify the sound.

And yes, "perfect in your view" means "not the way it's supposed to be". Let me make an example from video (will edit in a sec)...

A vs B vs C

B has higher contrast than A (shifted levels). C has higher contrast than B. The colors look more vibrant. Looks better, right?

But wait, they progressively lose more detail in dark areas, and highlights blow out. Forget that negative effect - maybe that scene isn't supposed to look that vibrant?

I could really like cat ears, and add cat ears to every character in a movie... it's essentially the same thing, you're modifying it to look/sound like what you want it to be.

Ever hear moviemakers or game designers talk about how they aimed for a specific scene, or even the entire game/movie, to give off a certain vibe? You modify the video, you modify the vibe. Same with audio. It's not really the same song anymore. Sure, the drums play in the same pattern, but...

Food for thought :C



Edited by Coma - 10/3/09 at 3:17am
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post #6 of 13
10/3/09 at 3:09am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Coma View Post
The amp and subs attempt to reproduce. The equalizer modify the sound.

And yes, "perfect in your view" means "not the way it's supposed to be". Let me make an example from video (will edit in a sec)...
I have an Equalizer with my amplifier, as well as EQ settings on my headunit. None of it is set to stock settings.

I don't understand what video has to do with this, but you usually make good points, regardlessly.

I still think I'm entitled to alter how music sounds if it makes my view of the music sound better.
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post #7 of 13
10/3/09 at 3:11am
haha its funny how the word "perfect" can actually have two meanings if said differently?

sorry, just trippin out. found that amusing. whats the description for a word like that?
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post #8 of 13
10/3/09 at 3:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by halifax1 View Post
I don't understand what video has to do with this, but you usually make good points, regardlessly.
Well, video and audio can usually be used interchangeably because all the terms match, so doing the same change (as in frequencies) to video that you did to audio ends up giving you a visual representation of what you did to the audio, which is easier to grasp than a spectrum visualizer
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post #9 of 13
10/3/09 at 3:19am
Thread Starter 
Well Coma, I think it sounds a million times better on this MacBook and these cheap little desktop speakers

Also, the system in my car sounds MUCH better than it did at stock settings, but I understand what you're trying to say.

I guess perhaps it's just preference, and I figured some people might like this little tweak.
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post #10 of 13
10/3/09 at 3:32am
Although, you might want to reduce settings instead of improving them. Basically what you want to do is instead of using:

db +3, +6, +9, +7, +3, +2, +5, +9, +11, +8 db

You should be using:

db -8, -5, -2, -4, -8, -9, -6, -2, +0, -3 db

These settings should reproduce the exact same thing, but won't distort the sound like your settings does.
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