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Reviews For: W2IHY EQ Plus

Category: Audio Accessories for Transmitter & Receiver

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Review Summary For : W2IHY EQ Plus
Reviews: 136MSRP: TBD
Description:
The processing power of a full-blown audio rack in a single compact, shack-friendly component.
Product is in production
More Info: http://w2ihy.com/eqplus.asp
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
251364.9
W4TME Rating: 2004-11-07
Absolutely Fabulous! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The previous reviewers have done a fabulous job of describing the features, knobs, connectors, jacks, switches and their assorted functions, so I will not take up space by being redundant except to say they work as advertised.

I am using the EQplus in conjunction with the W2IHY 8-band EQ and a Heil Goldline Pro microphone. The audio chain is fed into the balanced modulator port (ACC1) of an IC-756 Pro II. This configuration is producing truly outstanding transmit audio. It has exceeded my expectations, hands down. There is no other way to describe it. Julius has really out done himself this time.

The EQplus has added the “body” that was missing from my previous attempts with trying to achieve a clean, crisp, full-bodied sound with other outboard equipment. Let me start by saying I am not interested in trying to widen my signal or add a lot of bass that is sometimes associated with some of the high fidelity SSB efforts. Matter of fact, I have worked real hard to keep my signal within a 2.9 KHz bandwidth while trying to reduce specific low-end frequencies that makes my voice sound muddled. (I do not have that resonant radio announcer’s type of voice) The 8-Band EQ did a great job of eliminating the low-end problems and enhancing some of the high-end frequencies to make my voice more pronounced and predominate in pile ups. What was missing was best described as “body” or “thickness”.

The Pro II has an RF compressor, which helps with getting the most signal within the voice frequency range converted to PEP, but does little to change the color of your sound with the exception of rolling off the bass and adding a little punch to the high-end.

The addition of the EQplus has solved the transmit audio deficiencies that the Symetrix 528e could not do at 3/5 of the price. It took a while to get the output levels matched between the 8-band EQ, the EQplus and the rig to produce a signal level that fully drives the rig to maximum output and doesn’t distort the audio. The combination of adding some coloring to the sound by using the AF compressor and effects processor has really added that “thickness” I was looking for. Just a little advice - it is real easy to go over board on the compression and effects processor, so use them sparingly. You do not want to produce an over processed sound. Your transmit audio goals should be focused on intelligibility and creating a natural warm sound for your voice. The EQplus does this and more. The EQplus when used in combination with the 8-band EQ is the perfect outboard audio processing setup for ham radio. Look no further than W2IHY and visit Julius at his web site and order yours soon before the introductory price of $299 expires. Thanks Julius, you are truly DA MAN!!!

FYI: I receive no compensation nor am I associated with W2IHY except for buying and using his quality products.

-Tim W4TME
K6HTM Rating: 2004-10-13
Outstanding improvement for SSB sound Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I am a more-than-delighted owner of the EQplus audio processor by W2IHY. I was already using a Studio V3 by ART tube-type equalizer and an Electro-Voice RE27-ND microphone on a Kenwood TS-850 with DSP-100. It turns out that the EQplus is a perfect marriage with this equipment.

Julius Jones, W2IHY, really went overboard to create a flexible processor with just the right features that give plenty of latitude in adjustment. There is great attention to detail, and manufacturing excellence is evident. My signal reports are echoed in Julius’ own words:

“The EQplus is the result of a lot of work and experimentation. I tried to optimize what amateurs need and make it easier to use than what is in a rack with the goal of getting similar results. When I used it on the air myself it was clear to me that the EQplus works but sounded a little different from some of the rack configurations that are in use. Comments say that the audio is cleaner with more presence and robustness/thickness. People could not hear the “carrier effect” (as some people have coined the phrase) that is apparent when you tune across some of the rack guys signals.”

I call that “novelty audio” which has lots of booming bass where the human voice does not exist and very little punch on a crowded frequency. If you like that sound you can crank in plenty of bass or treble. You can also add compression, downward expansion that cuts back ambient noise in the shack, and a couple of different delay effects. Although there is a monitor jack on the unit and very likely on your rig as well, I recommend using headphones on a separate receiver with wide filter settings to customize your on-the-air sound. The additional gain and better frequency balance have an unexpected benefit: VOX works better!

The instruction manual is easy to read yet detailed. A couple of notes are in order: There is no bypass switch around the unit, and the available phantom voltage is limited to 5. This is a small unit: 9"w x 4"h x 6"d steel case with an outboard power supply. Optional cables are available for connecting to different rigs. I’ve always wanted to put together something like this myself, but W2IHY came up with better ideas much better executed! You need an EQplus!
WB9JOX Rating: 2004-10-11
excellant Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just a wonderful product by Julius. Really happy with the EQ Plus. Easy to set up as well.I have recieved so many great compliments on my audio. Just money well spent .
N2TU Rating: 2004-10-11
Good Stuff! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
No need to describe the functionality of this. The other guys beat me to it!

Here are my observations.....
1. Built extremely well! Quality parts and look.
2. Easy to use. Throw a few switches and you have great audio.
3. Customer support excellent. Julius is a pleasure to deal with and great return policy.
4. On air results have been excellent. Audio seems to have more punch. Even more than with only the 8 Band Equalizer.
5. The downward expander is unbelieveable! It virtually eliminates background noise. I shut off the Noise Gate on my 8 band equalizer because the EQ Plus is more effective.

The EQ Plus can control three rigs with a rotary switch in the rear. There are no front panel indications as to which rig is being controlled. It would be nice to have a LED indication...and even nicer if the control switch was in front. My personal preference is to have ALL user controls readily accessible on the front/ panel. Many of us have "busy" set-ups and find it cumbersome to reach around and fumble with switches when we can't see the rear. Additionally, the MON jack for the headphones is on the rear. Makes adjustments more difficult than they need be.

All in all, don't hesitate to get one of these. It is a great Ham Shack Accessory...especially if you are intent on producing good audio.
WV4R Rating: 2004-10-05
Clean-Clear-Loud-QualityAudio . . . Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
EQplus

Clean-Clear-Loud-Quality Audio . . . by W2IHY with Julius’s new “EQplus” will surprise and will please you with the quality of engineering, the cosmetic look of the companion piece to the “EQ-8” unit. I purchased the “EQ-8” over three years ago so interfacing the new “EQ-Plus” with the Provided Interface Cable was 1-2-3.

I took the time to read the Provided manual… however… you non-readers can jump start it If you have audio experience. I would recommend the 2-piece W2IHY units for optimized funz.

Out of the box I liked the Look of the unit. The supplied cable interface was a no-brainer. Tuning and tweaking is a snap and quite intuitive.

On-Air comments so far have been nothing short of Positive regardless of the equipment on the Other end.

I am using the EQplus + EQ-8 COMBO with my Kenwood TS-2000. The microphone I am using is a $7.99 Nady StarPower-1 dynamic cardioid studio microphone, which interfaces XLR to XLR.

Although the front panel hosts 8-knobs, 6-switches & L.E.D. metering… it is pretty much Set and Forget.

For direct head-to-head comparison I used a $1000.00plus Behringer audio rack with a $70.00plus studio condenser microphone.

My hammy radio audio goal is to produce the Cleanest, Clearest, Loudest & most natural sounding SSB audio possible that will sound Great in anybody’s radio.

The Downward Expander raises average audio level… and in conjunction with the Compressor provides the Ultimate “In-Your-Face Audio”. You can ‘wet’ your audio down a bit with Reverb From the Effects Processor. All of these features are knob-adjustable for just the right Tune/Tweak for your particular taste.
The legendary Monitoring circuit allows you to plug in some good headphones and actually hear Everything you are tuning and tweaking without going on the air. I have never heard any other monitor circuit that sounded as sweet. In short, what you hear is what you get.

Rear panel features PTT along with Triple audio outputs. Yes there is the familiar W2IHY Triple microphone configuration switch allowing you to use your Icom-Kenwood-Yeasu factory microphones Directly into the unit with no cable modifications. Aux Inputs too… Read The Book!

EQplus requires 12vdc or the Supplied power supply module.

Of course W2IHY equipment is built For Hams By Hams so the dreaded R.F. is virtually non-existent If you follow standard practices. The “Ibox” circuitry is built into this new unit. I run my Ameritron AL-1200 next to the unit and No R.F. problemos… period.

What did I forget… oh yes… it is a Metal Black Box not plastic.

Of course the Warranty is The Best in hammy radio today… 30-day return No Questions Asked and 3-year factory direct service. If you ever were to call… you can expect to get Meester Julius himself on his Toll-Free number. Who else has this warranty/service today in hammy radio?

EQplus simply gets the job done and I am running out of room for more. Check it out online: www.w2ihy.com for hi-rez photos and factory specs.

Engineering, functionality, simplicity, compatibility, Warranty, Service, Clean, Clear, Articulate, Loud Big Dog Audio with just about any radio/microphone you have in the shack earns this unit the WV4R “5” Star Rating. 73 es God bless, murf/wv4r.

M0JRS Rating: 2004-10-01
Superb piece of kit Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Don't think about it...GET IT...Hooked up to a W2IHY 8 Band EQ..Both items new to my shack at the same time..Completely transformed the way i can drive my radios output power..Certainly transforms the way any of my mic's sound..I have hooked up 3 mic's to it so far..One of the mic's was ganna be sold NOT now :-)..Great audio just got better..What a fantastic accessory for any shack.
Thank you Mr W2IHY.