Behringer DEQ2496 Equalizer Review

My dilemma is that almost every component of my 2 channel setup: Roon->RME ADI-2-> Adam A7X has some EQ features
I use the tweeter control on A7X, and the RME EQ by channel. I do not do anything with Roon EQ but maybe I should.

 

The point of 96khz is to reduce cramping and phase distortion. This may or may not cramp at 44.1 and 48 kHz. It might not have linear phase oversampling.

No mastering guy in his right mind would trust this over a good plugin like Pro Q 3 or Equilibirum.

 

I wouldn't discard the device if AD/DA was the only option. Of course, I would go digital if possible, but it's not always possible.
For instance, since I have multiple digital sources connected to my Rockna, if I wanted the PEQ applied all the time, I would need to go AD/DA on the Behringer.

Actually, I moved the Burl B2 to my 2ch setup last night. Since I already have an AVP-2 for TV (mostly) and music (rarely) duties, I just plugged the B2 into the AVP balanced preamp input. I quickly discovered it actually does do AD/DA since the display kept showing "ADC clipping". The sound was still way better than the AVP-2 as a DAC/preamp, despite the DA portion being the same in both cases.

 

For those who are interested, RoomEQWizard has a built in export format for the Behringers. We used to use the BFD and DEQ for subwoofer equalization in the early days of home theater calibration, so John built that into REW.

Why is this useful? You can measure in REW using your mic or EARS, and use the built in EQ functionality with curve designer. It's also a way to do auto-eq and save time, but with the ability to fine tune after.
Here's an example:

Take this measurement, click EQ:



Choose DCX2496 (should be compatible with DEQ2496):


And open up Target Settings to adjust your target curve, then edit Filter Tasks to set your flatness target etc:


Once you're done, click Match response to target, and then export to text:



You can also click EQ Filters at the top to see the generated filter list and edit them manually:


If also bears mentioning that you can just run REW in RTA mode and watch the graph in real time as you adjust the GEQ. This is very handy, since REW can also generate the source pink noise.

 

If it's anything like the DCX that I have, you may have a good chance of developing some crackling "popcorn" noise (a bit of googling shows this to be somewhat common). I tried all manner of cleaning the contacts, checking the ribbon cables, etc, I was never able to get rid of it.

 

I've used the DEQ for a few years, as a (usually frustrated ) speaker builder, it can be a very informative device as well.
Seems like "little" FR response issues are usually "blown off", since "we" can only perceive a +2db change......(?) Well, that's what I always read...
Once familiar with a system, and using just a 1/2 db here or there can, IMHO, completely change the system voicing and presentation. Take "just" enough edge off, bring something forward just a bit, etc.
I generally "rough it in" with REW or ARTA, then finalize those 1/2 db by ear.

 

I’ve been using REW+DEQ2496 for some time, with headphones before and speakers these days, it’s been working flawlessly. The UI took a bit of time to get used to but it became intuitive after a while. I strictly only use PEQ with the beringher in between DD converter (SU-1) and DAC (holo Spring) using AES/EB and I am not sure I could actually tell a difference from i2s direct connection.

Also, this Beringher made me experiment with dithering as I was trying to make the built in D/A sound less nasty while my ladder DAC was in repair. It didn’t fix the flat image but I swear it made the treble a bit more palatable. That made me wonder if some DACs may be using dithering without mention of it before the D/A stage. In principle at least, it does make a lot of sense (even though it’s kind of silly using that in a bit perfect upstream chain ...).

I suppose all these functions are easily accessible in software these days but I did just get used to the interface so don’t mind the extra box in the rack...

 

I used to have a pair of White Instruments 4400 1/3 octave LC equalizers that went surplus by NASA from a system at the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville when they upgraded. I spent all the time with a calibrated mic and noise generator to get the ruler flat room response with proper sub crossover only to determine that I didn't like ruler flat responses, so I V-shaped the damned things. As they got older and the caps started dying I put it aside. All that to say, that equalizing in the digital domain makes sense (assuming that equalizing makes sense) regardless of the DA/AD question because the bits won't ever get old and crackle.

But face it. There's no damn way that piddly-ass little display is going to look as boss as 56 knobs...

 

Same here. But as my source is piCorePlayer>PI2AES, I don't have a PEQ SW option, so it was HW or the highway for me.

My rig sits beside my listening position, so it's easy enough to lean over and push some buttons and twist some knobs. It's also rather satisfying to do so. I spend enough time as it is with my hand on a mouse.

 

The PiCorePlayer has a graphic digital Eq in the plug in section. I am running Moode now and it has PEQ. I have used it, but I end up turning it off. I seem to hear digital noise that removes clarity from the signal when it is in. I am looking into other options like the Berhinger.
I believe PiCorePlayer does have a way to use a PEQ plugin but I haven’t researched it enough. Not sure I would hear artifacts that way also.

 

The other thing DEQ2496 does surprisingly well is auto-eq for room correction. A ~2 years ago, I got tired of fiddling with REW and/or trying to tune the EQ manually. Picked up a cheap ECM8000 on ebay (~20 bucks), hooked it up to the back, and told the box to do its worst. A couple minutes of white noise and we were 95% of the way there. One fun fact is you can run the GEQ and PEQ at the same time, so you can autoeq the GEQ and get the last 5% out of the PEQ.

These days I'm only using mine to integrate subwoofers for my living room. Preamp -> Analog input -> Analog output -> Subwoofer low-levels. It can take a couple rounds, where I adjust the crossover or placement, but it's easy enough and I'm pleased with the results. You can tell auto-eq to adjust certain sliders and lock others, which works well for 'just tune the crossover zone and smooth out that 60 hz boom' tasks.

(The analog I/O is trash but I don't notice for just my subs, since they're trash too)

 

Fabfilter Pro Q 3 is the tits if you want to run a plugin in your compatible media player. Solid filters and the Best GUI around.

 

Yeah, I agree driving the UI with the rotary knobs and mix of hard push up/down buttons feels tedious at first to stay polite .

The one that still drives me nuts these days is the direction of the rotary dial when going up/down the PEQ filter bank. It’s like the rotary dial on older audi car navi system, it’s just opposite of what my brain expects (maybe I lived too long in Japan as everything felt reversed at the beginning here ;-) )

 

So in this case does it make any difference what DAC I have? I would like to high pass and equalize Adam A7X monitors and the only option to do everything in one box is miniDSP SHS (DAC and crossover). But if I use something like DBX DriveRack PA2 with AD/DA, does it even matter what DAC I have? I could sell RME ADI-2, buy Modius and DBX and still have money for used HD650.

 

This thread has inspired me to try using the digital parametric EQ in Roon with Pi2AES —> Gungnir Multibit A2 —> SA-2X —> DSHA-3F (Nickel) —> Utopia.

So far, the results have exceeded my expectations! I have found the Utopia really benefits from a small bump in the sub-bass using a low shelf.

I feel myself being pulled down into a rabbit hole now that I have discovered digital EQ. Is there anywhere on SBAF or elsewhere online with a compendium of different EQ settings for different headphones? I would love to try this out with Verite, Auteur, HD650, and others.

I have used SuperSearch and Google, but to no avail. I feel like I could sail ships through the gaps in my knowledge about this topic.

 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/654wxtmhlq0dhqa/AAAKT-RIbEKpsl-JW7mOnu_9a

Just know this is more of curio cabinet than any sort of "definitive reference" and it's all based on Harman target which over emphasizes the lowest octaves. trust your ears.