Tone controls are a rational fix for recording-to-recording spectral variation

Evidence

It is important for consumers to realize that the use of tone controls and equalization are intelligent and practical ways to compensate for inevitable spectral balance variations in recordings. In other words, “voice” the reproduction if and when necessary. Seek out loudspeakers capable of fundamentally neutral, resonance free, reproduction, and acknowledge the fact that no loudspeaker can sound perfectly balanced for all recordings. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 1055

Categorization

• CANDY: A contrarian recommendation: audiophiles who disdain tone controls are told they are the rational, practical answer.