Adding an EQ to my system?

[de8212 10+ year member]

I don't have anything fancy but was thinking of adding a Clarion EQS746 to my system. Tell me if it will be a noticeable addition.

1999 Dodge Ram truck. 2 tweetrs in a-pillars, 2 6x9's in doors and 2 5 1/4's in rear doors. All run off a 200 watt amp. Everything is Rockford Fosgate btw. No subs.

Head unit is Alpine CDA-7894. It has a built in crossover.

I'd like to have control with a knob rather than going through the menus.

The headunit says it has 4V preout, the EQ has 7V. So, i assume it should sound a bit better?

If it is a good idea, can someone tell me about connecting it. It's been years since I've messed around behind a car stereo so what all will I have to connect? Will the eq just have power, remote, and RCAs? can i splice into the Alpine's power/remote to connect?

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[BnGRacing 10+ year member]

I've never cared for in-dash EQs.

An EQ should really be set once and never touched again. Their purpose is really to tone down any peaks caused by the environment (your car's interior & speaker location) and the slight bump you get at the crossover freq. In-dash EQs are made for those who like to constantly turn knobs and want to boost things to compensate for poor equipment, install, whatever.

The best EQ I've ever owned was also very difficult to use; Xtant P500a. I also have used, and really liked, AudioControl products such as their EQTs and their EQX. If you don't mind searching the web a bit, I think you'd like the EQX a lot as it's a very good EQ and an awesome x-over built in one. It's not pretty, but it does the job and is as reliable as a wood burning stove.

 

[de8212 10+ year member]

THanks for the info. I use to have an in dash EQ and remember liking it. This was years and years ago. I don't have "top of the line" equipment now and don't plan to. Just a small inexpensive system. So, my goal is just to adjust things on the fly depending on the song that comes on the radio or the cd I put in. I listen to a wide variety of music so one minute I can crank it up and it sounds fine, turn the station and a song with more bass may be on and I have to just turn the volume down. It's easier/quicker than going through the menus.

I also like the fact that it adds the auxillary port. I can use that to play stuff off of my mp3 player.

But I appreciate your info about the AudioControl line. It wouldn't really work for my purpose in this case.

 

[05fronty 5,000+ posts]

be careful with a eq, will cause clipping