whats the difference between a graphic eq and a parametric eq. also whats the advantages and disadvantages or each

whats the difference between a graphic eq and a parametric eq. also whats the advantages and disadvantages or each

Graphic EQ: Center frequency and Q factor are fixed and can not be changed. Only thing you can adjust is the boost/cut at each predetermined frequency. Usually have a higher number of bands, anywhere from 15 to 31 bands.

Parametric EQ: Center frequency, Q factor and boost/cut are all user-adjustable within a certain range. Due to this, they typically have a lower number of bands...from 4 to 10.

Graphics are good if you want to be able to have general adjustability over the entire frequency spectrum of your system. The higher number of bands, obviously, allows you to adjust more frequencies throughout the frequency spectrum. However, the frequencies and Q's are fixed.....so if you have a problem that you need to correct at, say, 1225hz, but your graphic EQ doesn't have this as one of it's center frequencies than you must tinker with the available bands above and below that frequency to smooth out the problem area.

A parametric EQ is good for targeting specific problem areas within your stereo. Due to it's greater adjustability, you can pinpoint specific areas that need work. However, due to their lower number of bands, you can't adjust as many frequencies. So, if you have 15 areas you want to adjust, but only have a 7 band parametric EQ you are sort of limited on what you can fix and what you can't fix.

Here's something I wrote up on CA.com aswell: http://forums.caraudio.com/vb/showpost.php...772&postcount=4

That's a perfect explanation. Perhaps it should be pinned?