10.    Use an equalizer. Equalizers often get a bad reputation in audio enthusiast magazines, most of which is probably well deserved. In most cases, an equalizer is not your best option, and it should certainly not be used as a substitute to any of the tips mentioned above. Doing so will often cause more harm than good. When you can utilize steps 1 through 9 extensively, however, a parametric equalizer—which offers adjustments for frequency, level and bandwidth—can be put to good use fine-tuning the last ounce of performance from your system. To properly install and calibrate an equalizer for anything other than a subwoofer, however, you need expensive test equipment and knowledge of how to analyze the results. Your best bet is to find a qualified dealer that can measure your room with an audio analyzer that includes at least 12 bands of measurement per octave of sound.

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