Smooth equalized room curves often signal degraded sound quality

Evidence

When one sees a very smooth high-resolution steady-state room curve after equalization, there is a high possibility that something inappropriate has been done, and the sound quality may have been degraded. Yet this is frequently shown in promotions for room equalization/correction products addressing both consumer and professional customers. This is marketing, not science. The room curve is not the definitive statement of sound quality. — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 1390

When one sees a very smooth high-resolution steady-state room curve after equalization, there is a high possibility that something inappropriate has been done, and the sound quality may have been degraded. Yet this is frequently shown in promotions for room equalization/correction products addressing both consumer and professional customers. This is marketing, not science. The room curve is not the definitive statement of sound quality. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 1346

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the earlier chapter discussion of equalization vs. room acoustics treatments and the claim that equalization can’t change the physical room. — connects to: Signal processing compensates reproduction deviations through equalization; Equalization masks a mode’s audibility but leaves the room itself untouched; Room curves cannot define perceived sound quality on their own — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 1561 (+2 more)
• CANDY: A neat counterintuitive talking point: perfectly flat measured curves in room-correction ads are a red flag, not a triumph.
• corroborated: 3 independent passages support this claim — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 1390; Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 1346

Broader Connections

• Room curves cannot define perceived sound quality on their own #corroborates (0.88) — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 1561
• Equalization masks a mode’s audibility but leaves the room itself untouched #expands (0.85)
• Direct sound governs perceived quality in rooms, not room curves #expands (0.85)
• Curve smoothness and flatness track perceived sound quality ratings #contradicts (0.85)