Review on ART EQ341 Channel Graphic Equalizer by Jeremy Carpenter

So far I'm quite happy with the performance of this equalizer. Once I got past the connection weirdness (see below) it works like I would expect an equalizer to. I've only used unbalanced inputs and outputs and only rate performance based on subjective data in a great audio/video system. . The noise level is low enough not to add anything flashy to the sound. Ditto for the distortion, the sound remains very clear to my ears. The EQ controls are typical of inexpensive EQs: the control sliders are a little wobbly and difficult to fine-tune. However, I have used this device very successfully to improve the sound of classic live TV shows with weak bass and high frequencies. Some noise cancellation is possible if you have 60Hz hum or high-frequency hiss, but this comes at the cost of audio fidelity. If you have a choice, such noise should be eliminated at the source. One caveat: I've never come across an audio component with the weird color coding used here. Both white connectors are INPUTS. Both red connectors are OUTPUTS. If you connect it with the usual color code white = left and red = right you will get no signal! The labels on the panel and in the instructions are correct. You just don't have to think that you can hook it up with your knowledge of stereo connections. A wish for product improvement: As a home user, I would like the rack mount "wings" to be a removable attachment. I probably cut them off because they are ugly and don't allow the device to mix with other components. I would recommend this unit to anyone who needs to compensate for poor recordings, marginal speakers, or unusual acoustics. Of course, it cannot turn distorted sound into pure sound.