Tone controls- to use or not?

Altering tone always produces sonic degradation because it puts one more element in the chain (even if you set it 0dB/0dB). It destroys clarity imaging etc. For many people clarity/ imaging is the goal - not fun of tinkering.

Altering tone always produces sonic degradation because it puts one more element in the chain (even if you set it 0dB/0dB). It destroys clarity imaging etc.

"Destroy" is a strong word.

I guess these guys have much to learn about how not to destroy sound (looks like they use EQ controls to me)

MrTennis said :

tinkering is fun, regardless of the outcome. humans are naturally curious. the fun of tinkering is not being able to predict the result. the process is more important than the result.

Well yes ! i agree with you on that point (completely)
This way prevent people from audio's gourou very well

Still i have to say that we are talking about a specific subject : a guy that maybe not want to spend that amount of money on a product just for the fun knowing the extremely possible bad result

Furthermore the problem of his ears make the situation a big no no to me.

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But yes i rejoin you on the importance to try by ourself, the question is what will be the most intresting thing to do ?

i don't think the tone control will be the thing, i would prefer swap the crossover to redo it or even change also the drivers

But that is a long (a very funny road) and great results are possible !

(It implies knowledge that you will find on specialised website)

And THAT is FUN :)-

Mr C- Once upon a time the definition of, "audiophile" implied one that did as little harm to the original signal as possible. Basically- your straight wire with gain types(no tone controls, EQs, etc.). Of course, that term was coined back in the early 80's, and has been watered down to nothingness. Everyone with a system better than a Bose radio believes they're an audiophile. Who cares? If using the tone controls on your system gives a presentation that you like: What do you care what anyone else thinks about it? When I am running a sound board, setting up an acoustic venue, or recording(in my capacity as a Sound Technician): it's my job to present the music that is being created in as natural a tone, timbre and voice as possible(just louder when "plugged in"). That's providing the artists don't require something extra added, which(of course) is their artistic license. BUT: There is no "right" or "wrong" in your private listening environment. YES- Anything you add into the signal chain will degrade the sound to a degree. If you can live with the degradation, and the component utilized adds to your pleasure- DO IT!! What ever makes YOU happy!

Shadorne - all the sliders on those mixing tables are most likely level control. There are also, as far as I know, Equalizers but extremely expensive (for a reason). Typical tone controls in home amps use pots with very poor matching.

As for not caring by the artists about sound - many of them have their personal sound engineers for recording that replace one in studio wherever they're recording. Home system should replicate exactly what was recorded and not to improve it. Fixing shortcomings of the system or the room with tone control is a bad idea.