The previous chart gives you an idea where popular instruments and voices are located in the audible spectrum.
Knowing this can help give you some direction on tuning your vehicle for that certain sound you are after or
adding a little more definition and character to a particular instrument. In most cases nothing you do will help the
cat howling except a well thrown shoe and James Brown has plenty of definition and character just the way he
is...adjustments here are not required.
The chart below breaks the frequency ranges down into smaller groups and gives you a general idea of how each
range effects the musical spectrum. The last column on the right gives you an idea of what can happen if you
apply too much equalization to that area.
Equalization is like adding spices to your food. Not enough and the food tastes bland...too much and your reach-
ing for the water. The right amount of boosting and cutting will really make your system shine.
KQ30 Equalizer Technical Manual
Version 1.0
January 1, 2002 Page 4
Introduction
Frequency Range
Affected Area
Results Of Excessive
Boost
16 Hz - 60 Hz
Sense of power, music is felt more
than heard.
Makes music sound
muddy.
60 Hz - 250 Hz
Fundamentals of the rhythmic section.
Equalizing here can change the musical
balance making it fat or thin.
Makes music sound
boomy.
250 Hz - 2000 Hz
Low order harmonics of most musical
instruments that are horn-like. Listening
fatigue may result if improperly equalized.
Gives telephone like
quality to the music.
Can make the music
sound tinny.
2 kHz - 4 kHz
Speech recognition.
Listening Fatigue. Will
add a lisping quality to
voices. "M", "V" & "B"
will become vague.
4 kHz - 6 kHz
Affects clarity and definition of voices
and instruments. The music will seem
closer to the listener with proper setting.
Sibilance on vocals
(harshness). Adding
boost at 5 kHz will make
the music seem louder.
6 kHz - 20 kHz
Brilliance and clarity of sounds. Gives air
and pressence to the music.
Sibilance and/or
harshness on voices
