Equalizer mounting and installation
Mounting location
Whether an equalizer is parametric or graphic, it can be
mounted in the front of the car or trunk. EQs are mounted in the front
for easy adjustment of different types of music or songs, and are meant to be
used by the owner. These are usually octave or 1/2 octave graphic
equalizers or four-band parametric equalizers. Typical locations are
close to the radio or hidden in the glove box or console.
More complicated equalizers are usually adjusted once and
stashed away in the trunk or other remote location. This is usually done
by a professional, who adjusts the EQ according to the user's taste. If
you don't know what you are doing you should not play with a complicated
equalizer set up by a pro. Most often than not you will end up messing
up the system. Typical mounting locations are in the trunk, back seats,
or hidden inside panels.
The most important aspects of mounting locations for
equalizers is noise sources and accessibility. Since equalizers work
with low-level signals, they are prone to picking up radiated noise. RCA
wires should be routed away from car's computer and power wires (especially
away from power wires going to amplifiers). They also need to be accessible
for adjustments.
Connections
Equalizers are very easy to connect: Since active
equalizers draw very little current, power and ground wires do not have to be
as massive as amplifier's wires. EQs also need a turn-on wire from the
head unit.
RCA inputs and outputs should be carefully routed to avoid
noise. The main concern is not the low current power wires from the
equalizer, but power wires from the amplifiers.
Adjusting
As soon as an equalizer is installed, it should be
adjusted to 0 or "flat" response (no boost, no attenuation). An
equalizer is the LAST component in a system to get adjusted.
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