Architect
Model 110-Model 210-Model 210ES
Installer’s Guide
™
15
Equalization
Settings
More About AudioControl’s
Equalization Settings
Here is a brief introduction to each of the Speaker Opti-
mization control frequencies and what their affect on your
music is.
45Hz — Low bass.
This is about the lowest frequency
which in-wall, extension and small book-shelf speakers can
achieve. Boosting it too far might cause problems, even
though the Architect Model 210’s PFM filter cuts frequencies
under 35Hz. But if your speakers can take it, a mild boost will
enhance bass instruments such as Fender bass, kick drum,
floor toms, timpani and double bass violas.
150Hz — High bass.
There’s a lot of bass information at
this frequency. In fact, most modern music is mixed to en
-
hance this area of the frequency spectrum. 150Hz also de-
termines the depth of male vocals and contains reverberant
information which contributes to the spaciousness of sound.
Boosting 150Hz can add “POW!” and impact to bass or it can
make the sound “bonky” and “boomy”. This is a critical ad-
justment with small or in-wall speakers. Experiment with it.
300Hz and 700Hz — High and low midrange.
These
controls directly affect the sound of instruments and vocals.
These bands also determine the speaker’s presence (whether
the music sounds far away or close in). Small speakers often
produce too much midrange, so these controls are candidates
for being turned down slightly during your initial experimen
-
tation. Definitely consider reducing 700Hz if you are only
using your extension speakers for background music.
2500Hz — Treble.
Female vocals and the “edge” of in
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struments such as guitars, snare drums, saxes, violins, etc.
are found in this range. If accentuated too much (by boosting
this control) sounds in the 2500Hz range can seem harsh and
fatiguing to the ear due to excessive output by the speaker or
because of live, reflective room acoustics.
12kHz — High treble.
The fine detail, texture and sheen
of music is found here. The breathiness of vocals, the “sheen”
of cymbals, the high overtones of piano and strings. Actually,
there’s audible music information up to 20,000Hz on some
CD’s and most adult’s hearing is still pretty good at 15,000Hz.
But we’ve chosen 12,000Hz because it provides more useful
control to compensate for room acoustics and common small-
speaker deficiencies.
