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11-07-2003, 04:23 PM
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#1 of 24 
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Local Time: 06:52 PM
Local Date: 10-12-2008
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BFD and Parametric EQ: noob questions
I have Tempest sealed mid-Q with a Rythmik amp feeding from a Pioneer Elete 45tx. I've heard alot about how BFD and Parametric EQ can improve sound quality of my bass. Being a newbie that I am, I'd like to know if and how it can help me with my setup. I've notice the BFD sells for around $120 and the Art 351 P-EQ sell for about the same.
Please lecture me.
Thanks
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11-07-2003, 05:01 PM
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#2 of 24
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Check out this beginer guide.  
http://www.snapbug.ws/bfd.htm |
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11-07-2003, 05:54 PM
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#3 of 24
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Member
Location: 5280'
Join Date: Nov 1999
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The ART unit is 'graphic' EQ, not parametic.
A graphic EQ unit has fixed EQ bands usually only 1/3rd octave wide. These control the cut and boost.
The BFD is parametric EQ. This means that user can define different bandwidths. So the user isn't limited to to only 1/3rd octave EQ
Graphic EQ's are easier to use, but not nearly as flexible/useful as parametric units.
My suggestion is buy the Behringer
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11-07-2003, 07:42 PM
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#5 of 24
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Hi Cacu
I own both the Behringer BFD and the Rane PE17 parametric equalizer. The BFD is a digitizing equalizer while the Rane parametric equalizer is strictly analog. With the BFD you can digitally adjust and modify the selected bands. With the Rane unit, you had better have a RTA available as the band center frequency, boost/cut and Q markings are not very accurate and you will need the RTA to set up each band you select after you have done your frequency survey. You can probably get close by using the dial indicators on the front panel of the analog equalizer, but you will not be able to get as close as you can with the BFD.
Regards,
TCIII
Before you send someone to save the world, you better make sure they like it the way it is.
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11-07-2003, 09:29 PM
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#6 of 24
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I just ordered the BFD today, it will be here next Thursday. 
One question for Wayne.....What tool did you use to measure and graph the 2 pictures above? Thanks. |
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11-07-2003, 10:04 PM
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#7 of 24
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Wayne,
The BFD seriously ironed out your response curve! Looks great...bet your sub sounds smooooooth.
Got a question for you.
Have you noticed any "adverse effects" from having the BFD inline? Such as delay, distortion, etc? Anything there or missing that was/wasn't there before? How "transparent" is the BFD?
How's it sounds with music? I use the sub with both movies and music.
I am seriously contemplating the BFD purchase. The benefits to cost ratio is quite high. I'd just hate to introduce anything bad into the signal chain.
Thanks much.
Yeah, I base all my HT purchases on the WAF, too. Wallet Acceptance Factor.
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11-07-2003, 11:03 PM
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#8 of 24
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:b Uh-oh! I didn’t mean to mislead anyone, but I don’t have a BFD, and this isn’t my curve (wish it was - mine’s not nearly this good!).
I lifted the charts from a “BFD help” thread that was running here about a year ago at this time, driven by a Forum member named Warner. For those not faint-of-heart, you can see the whole thing Here.
For some reason he has left them up, which is great for me, because I reference them regularly for the benefit of BFD doubters (and those poor guys that think bass traps are better than an equalizer – I’ve yet to see anyone brave enough to post readings from their bass-trapped room!).
I will say, however, that Warner’s post BFD curve is one of the best I’ve seen. As you can see, it was pretty bad going in; it took him something like 11 filters to get it looking this good. Usually the results don’t look this good on paper, but fortunately they don’t have to look this good for the sub to sound great.
I think the charts can be created with an Excell file you can download at Sonnie Parker’s BFD Comprehensive Set-Up Guide site.
Michael, Are you sure your wife will let you have that BFD? Just kidding (yes, I saw that thread). It’s generally accepted that the BFD is not nearly transparent enough to use for the mains, but I’ve never heard anyone complain that they did anything detrimental to their subs. Everyone pretty much concurs that when you get your sub properly EQ’d (and this includes dialing in a correct house curve), you’ll see a significant improvement with both music and movies. In fact, Warner says as much in his lost post on that thread.
Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt
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11-08-2003, 12:45 AM
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#9 of 24
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Thanks Wayne.
I have actually DL'd the Excel spreadsheet..just in case I buy the thing. I also DL'd the "BFD Instructions Bible" put up by Sonnie.
What is a "house curve?" I know every room will have it's peaks and valleys; is the curve dialing in the EQ to compensate for the room?
Yeah, I base all my HT purchases on the WAF, too. Wall
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