Blind tests show any equalization improves subjective loudspeaker ratings

Evidence

Based on these results it appears that any form of equalization was beneficial, elevating the subjective ratings from an unimpressive 3.9/10 for the original loudspeaker to 5.0/10 for the in-room equalized version and 5.3/10 for the anechoic on-axis equalized version. It is clear that the medium-Q resonances do not show up in the room curve in (a); therefore, when the room performance was equalized as in (b), only the low-Q resonance was attenuated. The subjective ratings went up substantially because that was the most serious problem. The medium-Q resonances were still there, only slightly changed. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 518

Categorization

• DEFINE: Clarifies how equalizing the steady-state room curve only addresses low-Q resonances, since medium-Q ones are masked in the room average — a key psychoacoustic modeling distinction.