No EQ Good or Bad?

ACE · 11-19-2007, 04:10 PM

OK, there's been much criticism about the new Zunes not having an EQ.

While MS has stated the new Zunes' hardware generates superior sound and has no need for an EQ (adding, the new hardware will not support an EQ), consumers are not happy this feature was not included.

How do you feel?

Does Microsoft know what they're doing?

Or would do you still want that feature?

Is the jury still out on this one?

We want to hear what you all think. Post away!

huyeed · 11-19-2007, 04:49 PM

i'm a control freak with my music so i definitely need an eq.

CameleonMK · 11-19-2007, 04:50 PM

I don't mind. Probably because I still have it though.

11-19-2007, 05:01 PM

I really dont care since I only use my Zune in my car and I use my stereo EQs anyway.

**Damian** · 11-19-2007, 05:20 PM

Hmmm, well if you would buy me a Zune 80 to test it out I could make a valid decision.

*waits*

prabal34 · 11-19-2007, 05:21 PM

It is a big deal for me. I would not mind it in the car where there is another equalizer but I like certain music with certain EQs. I don't think there would have been any difference if they included it and had it as an option to conserve battery power. I understand that it prolongs battery life and if I want my Zune to last longer I will turn it off. All it would've taken is a few words on the manual to explain this to everybody.

Even the cheap 25 dollar 1GB mp3 player that my friend has includes preset EQ!

yensed · 11-19-2007, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yensed

The sound quality could be the best ever, But it still doesn't matter. An EQ doesn't make audio sound Better. In fact it diminishes the overall quality by changing the decibels per octave(dB). Its generally used to make audio sound Different and more "Comfortable". If I'm listening to my device through a pair of small speakers, I want to make it sound better by turning bass down and increasing tremble. If I'm listening to a Podcast where its just people talking, I like keeping it simple. If I'm watching a movie, I like hearing everything going on. If I'm listening to some Techno, I want to hear the Highest Highs and the Lowest Lows. Typing this up I've changed my EQ 3 times(Trans-Siberian Orchestra,Creedence Clearwater,Death Cab for Cutie).

Super Person · 11-19-2007, 06:14 PM

I think it's bad because even though I don't use it, other people do, and that's just one more thing the iFans can complain about.

**Damian** · 11-19-2007, 06:23 PM

Yensed, you are a wise man

Super Person · 11-19-2007, 06:31 PM

Too wise...

CookingDoggy · 11-19-2007, 06:48 PM

I think the equalizer option in the Zune 30's make people want it in the newer zunes. However, if what they say about the sound quality being improved in the new zunes, I wouldn't want to distort it with an equalizer anyways. You will reduce the sound quality. For the sake of improving the sound, I think it's fine that they left it out. I mean... if you're hearing a song the best way the artist intended on you hearing it, it certainly cannot be that bad.

ACE · 11-19-2007, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

Yensed, you are a wise man

mmmmm mayby for an iFan... for me personally, changing EQ settings every song seems unenjoyable to me. I set my playlist and it plays. I enjoy it. What does that say about other players who don't sound good and you need change the treble/middle/bass for every song? It says to me it's not a good player. My new Zune 80 sounds great - nuff said. It's simple. Press play and I don't need to mess with it. I switch from podcast, to radio, to music without a hitch.

And it sounds just as the producers wanted it to sound - as a musician, I know most people couldn't tell you what sounds good if it smacked them upsid their head.

Typing this up I changed my EQ....nope didn't need to.....it sounded perfect....

dungfountain · 11-19-2007, 07:23 PM

I typically test different settings when I get something new but don't mess with it much after that point. It seems to me the settings should be coordinated to some extent with how the sound is being played. Cheap speakers, good headphones, big room, etc.

prabal34 · 11-20-2007, 12:59 AM

I am all for how the artist wants their songs to be heard. But I paid for the music. I want to listen to it how I want to.

That's like saying "always eat the pickles with your hamburger". Some people don't like pickles. Just because the burger comes with pickles doesn't mean you have to order it that exact way and eat it..

I mean come on... do we really live in a "NO SOUP FOR YOU!" society? (Seinfeld reference

)

Man. · 11-20-2007, 02:42 AM

I prefer the acoustic eq it gives more bass in the music, so i think they should have kept it with the new zune

yensed · 11-20-2007, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Man.

I prefer the acoustic eq it gives more bass in the music, so i think they should have kept it with the new zune

I'm a fan of the Electronic setting myself. It tends to have the perfect amount of bass and picks up most of the sounds. Its my default for my PMP's.

southside · 11-20-2007, 11:34 AM

What does sound quality have anything to do with your EQ?
Your EQ manipulates the output of the audio by boosting or cutting back the volume of a certain frequency range. It does NOT diminish the quality of the audio; not one bit.
Phasing it out, or no longer supporting the EQ is dumb...end of story.

Also, for those of you saying that an eq alters the music from what the artist originally intended...I envy you, because the stereo you're listening to, or the headphones you have on must have cost you a fortune. I wish I could afford 'acoustically perfect' audio gear.

soccerdad · 11-20-2007, 01:28 PM

For music playback using relatively good audio equipment, I'm vehemently anti-EQ. The recording engineers, producers, mixers, etc. knew the sound they were looking for; and decent equipment will "honor" that.

But for encoded (possibly lossy) music on small devices with likely inexpensive headphones, a modicum of control is in order to overcome the deficiencies of the equipment and to allow a little for personal taste.

If removing it had to do with battery life, as I've read, let the user pick between EQ, wireless, or short battery life.

FWIW...

View Poll Results: Is having no EQ Good or Bad?
Good - I think the new Zune's hardware is enough	4	13.79%
I'm not sure - I think I'll wait to see....	5	17.24%
Bad - WTF was MS thinking? I want to control my music!	11	37.93%
Meh....I don't care much......	9	31.03%
Voters: 29. You may not vote on this poll

11-19-2007, 04:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
ACE I Scream, U Scream, We... zB Writer Section Staff Elite Zuner Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Fresno, CA USA Posts: 2,084 Reputation: 188 $zB: 367 Donate Awards Showcase Total Awards: 1	No EQ Good or Bad? OK, there's been much criticism about the new Zunes not having an EQ. While MS has stated the new Zunes' hardware generates superior sound and has no need for an EQ (adding, the new hardware will not support an EQ), consumers are not happy this feature was not included. How do you feel? Does Microsoft know what they're doing? Or would do you still want that feature? Is the jury still out on this one? We want to hear what you all think. Post away! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. I'm an To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ...Do you know what the original ZuneMarketplace looked like?

11-19-2007, 04:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
huyeed Jr. Zuner Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 34 Reputation: 11 $zB: 0 Donate	i'm a control freak with my music so i definitely need an eq. __________________ i have a drinking problem--two hands and only one mouth.

11-19-2007, 06:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
Super Person Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: The Lost City of Atlantis Posts: 641 Reputation: 23 $zB: 0 Donate	I think it's bad because even though I don't use it, other people do, and that's just one more thing the iFans can complain about. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

11-19-2007, 06:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
Super Person Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: The Lost City of Atlantis Posts: 641 Reputation: 23 $zB: 0 Donate	Too wise... __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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11-19-2007, 05:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
lacrosse_man16 Posts: n/a $zB: Donate	I really dont care since I only use my Zune in my car and I use my stereo EQs anyway.

11-19-2007, 05:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
prabal34 Jr. Zuner Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Elk Grove, CA Posts: 41 Reputation: 10 $zB: 0 Donate	It is a big deal for me. I would not mind it in the car where there is another equalizer but I like certain music with certain EQs. I don't think there would have been any difference if they included it and had it as an option to conserve battery power. I understand that it prolongs battery life and if I want my Zune to last longer I will turn it off. All it would've taken is a few words on the manual to explain this to everybody. Even the cheap 25 dollar 1GB mp3 player that my friend has includes preset EQ!

11-19-2007, 06:48 PM	#11 (permalink)
CookingDoggy Experienced Zuner Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 134 Reputation: 23 $zB: 15 Donate	I think the equalizer option in the Zune 30's make people want it in the newer zunes. However, if what they say about the sound quality being improved in the new zunes, I wouldn't want to distort it with an equalizer anyways. You will reduce the sound quality. For the sake of improving the sound, I think it's fine that they left it out. I mean... if you're hearing a song the best way the artist intended on you hearing it, it certainly cannot be that bad. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

11-19-2007, 07:23 PM	#13 (permalink)
dungfountain Zuner Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 58 Reputation: 11 $zB: 0 Donate	I typically test different settings when I get something new but don't mess with it much after that point. It seems to me the settings should be coordinated to some extent with how the sound is being played. Cheap speakers, good headphones, big room, etc. __________________ Foisting Fecal Freely

11-20-2007, 12:59 AM	#14 (permalink)
prabal34 Jr. Zuner Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Elk Grove, CA Posts: 41 Reputation: 10 $zB: 0 Donate	I am all for how the artist wants their songs to be heard. But I paid for the music. I want to listen to it how I want to. That's like saying "always eat the pickles with your hamburger". Some people don't like pickles. Just because the burger comes with pickles doesn't mean you have to order it that exact way and eat it.. I mean come on... do we really live in a "NO SOUP FOR YOU!" society? (Seinfeld reference)

11-20-2007, 02:42 AM	#15 (permalink)
Man. Supreme Zune God Support Team Zune Freak Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1,205 Reputation: 82 $zB: 607 Donate	I prefer the acoustic eq it gives more bass in the music, so i think they should have kept it with the new zune __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

11-20-2007, 11:34 AM	#17 (permalink)
southside Zewbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 7 Reputation: 10 $zB: 0 Donate	What does sound quality have anything to do with your EQ? Your EQ manipulates the output of the audio by boosting or cutting back the volume of a certain frequency range. It does NOT diminish the quality of the audio; not one bit. Phasing it out, or no longer supporting the EQ is dumb...end of story. Also, for those of you saying that an eq alters the music from what the artist originally intended...I envy you, because the stereo you're listening to, or the headphones you have on must have cost you a fortune. I wish I could afford 'acoustically perfect' audio gear. Last edited by ACE : 11-20-2007 at 12:04 PM.

11-20-2007, 01:28 PM	#18 (permalink)
soccerdad Squirt Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 17 Reputation: 10 $zB: 0 Donate	For music playback using relatively good audio equipment, I'm vehemently anti-EQ. The recording engineers, producers, mixers, etc. knew the sound they were looking for; and decent equipment will "honor" that. But for encoded (possibly lossy) music on small devices with likely inexpensive headphones, a modicum of control is in order to overcome the deficiencies of the equipment and to allow a little for personal taste. If removing it had to do with battery life, as I've read, let the user pick between EQ, wireless, or short battery life. FWIW...

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