SPL PQ Mastering Equaliser

Discover the SPL PQ Mastering Equalizer – a standout for its dual sets of five fully parametric filter bands. Switch between constant Q and proportional Q modes for each band, while the 120V technology ensures ample headroom and a special EQ sound.

The SPL PQ Mastering Equaliser is available to audition in our showrooms.

SPL PQ Mastering Equaliser

SPL PQ – Stepped Potentiometers – Recall of all settings is easy thanks to the potentiometers with 41 steps. Cut/Boost & 1/4 Gain – Each filter band can be boosted or cut up to 20 dB. If only minimal changes are required, the 1/4 Gain switch can be used to reduce the boost or cut range from +/-20 dB to +/-5 dB.

Frequencies – We have designed the frequency distribution to overlap widely between the bands, so that problematic frequencies can also be addressed with two bands.

  • LF – 10 Hz – 330 Hz
  • LMF – 33 Hz – 1 kHz
  • MF – 128 Hz – 4.1 kHz
  • MHF – 310 Hz – 10.2 kHz
  • HF – 760 Hz – 24 kHz

 

Bandwidth Q – The bandwidth Q determines the steepness of bell characteristic. A small Q is a wide bandwidth and a high Q a narrow bandwidth. The labeling of the scale is divided into two parts. The values with white background refer to the proportional Q mode and the values without background refer to the constant Q mode. On/Off – The orange button is used to switch the individual filter band on and off.

Constant & Proportional Q – The blue button is used to toggle the Q mode. In constant Q mode, the amplitude is constant regardless of the selected bandwidth. This is ideal for eliminating interfering frequencies. In proportional Q mode, the amplitude is proportional to the bandwidth.

It decreases with increasing bandwidth and vice versa. At the smallest bandwidth setting, the maximum amplitude value is +/- 20 dB, while the maximum amplitude decreases to +/- 2.8 dB at the largest bandwidth setting. This control behavior simplifies sensitive, creative processing and is musically very useful, since high amplitudes become increasingly unusable with increasing bandwidth.

The SPL PQ Center Section
Auto Bypass – For an objective evaluation of the edited music program, it makes sense not to switch between the original signal and the edited signal yourself, but to leave this to an automatic system.

It is also an advantage that, for an optimal evaluation of the processing, one does not have to move from the stereo center and can concentrate fully on the program. With the help of the Interval control the switching time window can be determined. Turning it clockwise extends the time interval.

Link – The SPL PQ is designed as a completely separate dual-mono, two-channel equalizer and can individually process two mono music programs simultaneously. It is of course also possible to edit a stereo program (left/right). If the Link function is activated, the functions LF, LMF, MF, MHF, HF On/Off and Con. Q/Prop.Q on both sides are switched together by the buttons on one side. This makes it possible to activate or deactivate a filter band or the Q characteristic on both sides of the equalizer with a single button operation.

In Link mode, the right side controls the left side as factory preset. However, this can be adapted to individual working habits. If the channel switch of a channel is pressed until it flashes, this channel controls the other side from that moment on.

Channel On/Off – The orange button switches the entire channel on and off.

SPL PQ Mastering Equaliser Reviews

With the SPL PQ, Wolfgang Neumann’s team has launched a mastering EQ that is poised to eclipse everything that has come before. It’s difficult to list features that the SPL PQ doesn’t fulfill or deliver with perfection. Brilliant detail solutions, extremely high-quality workmanship and a sound that can only be described with the word “outstanding” in terms of flexibility and neutrality will leave any doubters speechless in the corner, unless they bring up the eternal topic of retail price. As always with SPL’s high-end products, it’s simply pointless to discuss the price, as it’s impossible to establish a true price-performance ratio. The device has everything you need to create a truly wow factor, both visually and acoustically; it’s practically impossible to “hit the ground running” any higher.
The SPL PQ is an excellent, clean, analog EQ. With its ten bands, it offers enough flexibility for even the most complex repairs. Thanks to its exceptional Proportional Q mode, artistically valuable processing is also possible. The workmanship and feel are excellent – “Made in Germany” certainly pays for itself. Speaking of price: The PQ is certainly not cheap, but it’s definitely worth the money!
As I said in the intro, I had my own motives for taking this assignment: I wanted an opportunity to demo it. I also relished the self-imposed pressure of a review, for it pushed me into analyzing the gear as thoroughly as I could. I’m pleased to say that my personal search for an EQ versatile enough to suit my projects has come to a close. Doubtlessly I’ll welcome other pieces as I can afford them, finding new ways to inject suitable character into appropriate mixes. But for now, I’ve found a workhorse EQ—more accurately, a work-chameleon EQ, since the switchable circuits really do give you the feeling of two equalizers in one box. If you’re in a similar place—looking for something to handle the stereo-buss with quality, musicality, versatility, and transparency (where needed)—I wholeheartedly recommend this unit.

Specifications

Maximum input & output gain 32.5 dBu
Input impedance 20 kΩ
Output impedance 75 Ω
Common mode rejection -82 dBu
Frequency range (-3 dB) 10 Hz – 100 kHz
THD & N (+30 dBu, 1 kHz) 0.0005 %
Noise (A-weighted) -94.3 dBu
Dynamic range 135 dB

User Manual

Download the User Manual in PDF format.

Ordering

SKU SPLPQ Categories , Tag

Original price was: $12,351.Current price is: $11,999. Inc GST

Click to access the login or register cheese

Found A Better Price?

Fill out the form below, paste in the link to a better price and let us get you an even better deal!