DSP or EQ? What is the difference?

[dsw1204]

Just curious, folks. I've read lots of threads about DSPs and how they inprove the sound from existing sound systems. I have a couple of old school Eclipse head units that have no processing and one that does. So, I thought I'd check into maybe getting a dsp for those head units. During my research, I ran across an Eclipse EQ1000 and an Eclipse 21010. But, I believe these to be equalizers, not DSPs. Is there a difference between a DSP and an EQ? If so, what is it? I can't find any threads that discuss this.

Oops, I did not realize that I was in the classified section and I do not know how to get this thread out of here. Sorry.

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[Rich B 5,000+ posts]

An EQ is used to adjust the frequencies of sound (multi-band tone controls), a DSP can include an EQ, but it most often can adjust the output of separate speakers so the sound from the left channel arrives at your ears at the same time as the sound from the right channel, putting the stereo image in the center of the dash.

That is called "time alignment", and most car audio diehards consider time alignment one of the most important ingredients in achieving good sound.

If you have a recent home theater receiver that uses a mic during setup that is using DSP to both EQ the sound, and time align the speakers to each other.

Car audio takes that DSP a step further than home theater by letting the user use individual amps for the various speakers, not just aligning the left with the right, but also allowing the alignment between the tweeters, mids, and even the subs so the resulting sound is more cohesive than whats possible in a reciever.

But (theres always a but) DSP is much more complicated than just using an EQ, it takes a long time to get it right.

 

[fly_marlin]

Yes, the above is a very good explanation. What are your goals? Do you have any equipment installed already? If so, which models?

 

[dsw1204]

Okay, so what you guys are telling me is that a DSP is basically an EQ with time alignment...or is this an over-simplification?

This is what I have: I am currently running an Eclipse 55040 head unit. I have some Infinity Kappa coaxials in the front doors, and a couple of Eclipse 6x9s in the rear deck. No subs installed. These are being pushed by an old Alpine 3527S 4-channel (25w x 4 RMS @4 ohms) amp. I am looking to upgrade and I have recently acquired an Eclipse CD8051 (I love the older Eclipse head units) and also an Eclipse CD8454. Both are NOS. I've also purchased Hertz ESK 165L.5 two way components for the front stage, a small JL AUDIO CP106LG-W3V3 sub, and an Arc Audio KS900.6 amp. Will this amp be enough to push everything or will I need to bridge the Alpine amp to push the 6x9s? All this will be in a 1991 Honda Accord.

Anyway, I know the CD8454 has some processing, but I was leaning toward the CD8051 to install at this time. And, it doesn't have any processing in it, correct? Thus, I was looking at an external DSP (or EQ?).

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Okay, so what you guys are telling me is that a DSP is basically an EQ with time alignment...or is this an over-simplification?
This is what I have: I am currently running an Eclipse 55040 head unit. I have some Infinity Kappa coaxials in the front doors, and a couple of Eclipse 6x9s in the rear deck. No subs installed. These are being pushed by an old Alpine 3527S 4-channel (25w x 4 RMS @4 ohms) amp. I am looking to upgrade and I have recently acquired an Eclipse CD8051 (I love the older Eclipse head units) and also an Eclipse CD8454. Both are NOS. I've also purchased Hertz ESK 165L.5 two way components for the front stage, a small JL AUDIO CP106LG-W3V3 sub, and an Arc Audio KS900.6 amp. Will this amp be enough to push everything or will I need to bridge the Alpine amp to push the 6x9s? All this will be in a 1991 Honda Accord.

Anyway, I know the CD8454 has some processing, but I was leaning toward the CD8051 to install at this time. And, it doesn't have any processing in it, correct? Thus, I was looking at an external DSP (or EQ?).

A EQ is just a EQ. Depending on the number of bands will determine how useful it is. Note a EQ is only meant to cut peaks out of the response not boost, most just turn everything up. Bad idea

A DSP has a large EQ that can be broken down per channel on the good ones. It can level match each channel, it can time align. It can control crossovers and slopes, it can control phasing. Most are software based. The MS-8 I use does it for you using a headphone mic. After its done it has a 31 band EQ user can adjust if needed but its not per channel.

 

[fly_marlin]

As you get up to higher class DSPs such as Mosconi 6to8, Audison Bit One, you can do virtually anything. If interested, check out the owner's manual for one of those beasts to see the myriad of features. For exmaple, PS8 has a 74 page manual and that's just for the "standard mode" and still incomplete.