Top 10 Best Pro Graphic Equalizers
for December 2023

The MUSYSIC MU-EQ15B is a multifunction digital graphic equalizer that doubles as a line level attenuator. It features 15-band graphic equalizer, low cut, range +/- 12 dB, bypass, clip, input gain control, and low noise circuitry. Two audio input sources are available: 1/4" & XLR line input sources. The 1/4" input line is paired with the 1/4" line output, while XLR line output is paired with XLR line input. The line level attenuator has adjustable input gain from -100 to 100 dB. The range limit, low cut, and bypass functions are all controlled by the front panel buttons. The MU-EQ15B also features an LCD display for input level, output level, and EQ settings, as well as audio meters. The MU-EQ15B is rack mountable and can be controlled by remote control. The remote control is sold separately.

The EQ76 is a dual channel equalizer with 15 bands. It features four input channels for connecting either XLR, 1/4'' or 3.5mm inputs. The EQ76 has 15 bands, 3 parametric EQs and one graphic EQ. The EQ76 has a 3.5mm headphone jack for monitoring, and also has input and output level meters. It is powered by either 110V or 220V. The EQ76 is a heavy duty EQ, with solid metal construction. It has removable rack mount brackets, which make it suitable for rack mounting. The EQ76 also has polarity inversion. The EQ76 has 2 RCA line input and output. The EQ76 is suitable for both live sound, and studio production. The EQ76 has 15 bands, 3 parametric EQs and one graphic EQ. This EQ is suitable for live sound, and studio production.

The EMB Professional Sound System's EQ/Limiter is one of the quietest we've ever tested (it has one of the lowest noise floors of any EQ/Limiter, and it's the only model in our roundup with electronic balanced and unbalanced inputs), and it has a very low distortion level. Its EQs, too, are some of the best we've tested: The Q factor and frequency sweep are among the best we've ever measured. The unit is easy to operate; controls are laid out in an intuitive manner, and the EQ/Limiter has buttons for EQ Bypass, Limiter Bypass, EQ Up, EQ Down, and Limiter Up. The EQ/Limiter's performance sounds as good as it is. The EQs sound very musical, and the Limiter has a useful snap to it, which helps to prevent distortion. The EQ/Limiter's main drawback is its limited input level, which limits its versatility. Compatible only with XLR cables (in which both ends have to be connected), the EQ/Limiter also can't control dynamic microphones, and it's restricted to 20kHz bandwidth. If you frequently use microphones or require 20kHz bandwidth, the Behringer X32 may be a better choice. But the EMB Professional Sound System's low noise floor, clean sound, and ease of use make it a formidable opponent.

The EMB Professional Sound System EB631EQ Graphic Equalizer is a surprisingly versatile audio processor. Its eight balanced XLR outputs and 40Hz high pass filter make it well-suited for live sound reinforcement, and its two-channel stereo and the balance of its synthesized left and right channels make it well-suited for recording. The EQ's presets are thoughtfully chosen, ranging from standard live sound settings to useful mix-wizard settings for pop, jazz, and rock, and the unit's range of features is extensive. It has more than 50 different effects, including delay, reverb, compression, and distortion, and there are also 10 built-in loops, 3-band parametric EQ, 3-band graphic EQ, and 3-band shelving EQ. The EB631EQ also has a versatile built-in compressor/limiter, phase reverse, 40Hz high pass filter, and a 20-second looper. The EQ's 10-band graphic EQ offers impressively wide range, with a wide boost at 20Hz and a sag at 50Hz, and its 20Hz high pass filter provides just the right amount of low-shelf boost. The compressor/limiter works well on vocals, and its Threshold and Attack controls can be adjusted to taste. The EQ's interface is logical and easy to navigate, and the unit's knobs are well-designed and unusually responsive. The EB631EQ's output level meters are clearly labeled and clearly visible, and the level control is responsive and well-marked.

The SoundGraph6102's 31-band graphic equalizer offers a wide variety of sound-sculpting options. The faders have bright LED indicators, so it's easy to find the right setting. The SoundGraph6102 has balanced inputs and outputs, with 1/4-inch TRS and XLR connectors. The EQ has the usual Cut, Boost, and Bass Boost controls, along with two Eq modes: Normal and Link. The Normal mode is suited for most uses, but the Link mode lets you set separate levels for each channel, which creates a much more natural sound. The EQ's low-cut filter is very effective, and the high-cut filter removes some unnecessary noise. The SoundGraph6102 has easy-to-use controls, including Mute, Bass, Treble, and Gain knobs, and a three-band EQ. The EQ's three-band EQ lets you cut, boost, and sweep through each band's frequency spectrum. The SoundGraph6102's EQ does a decent job with vocals and instruments, though it lacks a lot of the bass and treble boost that we've seen on some other equalizers. The SoundGraph6102 has bright, clean sound, and the 31-band EQ offers a lot of flexibility.

The REQ231 is our favorite graphic equalizer for mixing audio with bass. It offers 31 bands of equalization, all with variable high and low cut filters that are great for controlling the amount of bass in your mixes. It also offers variable input gain, and a 2-band bypass switch with an LED indicator. The REQ231 offers more control than some analog EQ's we've tested, and it's well built and easy to operate. If you're looking for a bass-heavy EQ, the REQ231 is an excellent choice.

The ART 351 is a no-frills, single-channel EQ, but for its price, it offers all the features and versatility that a pro audio engineer or studio musician might need. The 351 has 31 bands of graphic equalization, and it can easily handle any signal level. The EQ bandwidth is 1/3 octave, and the main control knobs are large enough for precise controls. The 351's main controls are the EQ frequency knobs, which offer 31 continuous steps of 3% frequency accuracy. The 351's 20mm center detent sliders have detents numbered from 1 to 31, and they provide precise recall. The 351 also features a 6dB or 12dB boost/cut control, a 12dB boost/cut control, a low-pass filter, a high-pass filter, a 3kHz high-shelf filter, and a variable input level control. The 351's input gain control is linear, so its output level depends on the input level, but it can be adjusted from -20 to +20dB. The 351's input level control is adjustable from 0 to +3dB, and it has a 10dB range. The 351's output level control is adjustable from 0 to +10dB, and its range is 0 to +30dB. The 351's output gain control is linear, and its range is 0 to +60dB. The 351 features a ground lift switch, an IEC power connection, and 100-240v switchable line voltage. The 351's internal power supply is switchable between 100-240v and 120-277v. The 351's input impedance is 100k, and its output impedance is 22.5k, and its frequency response is 60Hz to 20kHz. The 351's maximum input level is roughly 14V RMS, and its output level is roughly 3V RMS. The 351's maximum input level is roughly 18V RMS, and its output level is roughly 5V RMS. The 351's maximum input level is roughly 25V RMS, and its output level is roughly 7V RMS.

The Behringer Ultragraph Pro Fbq1502 is, hands-down, the best graphic equalizer for live and studio use. It offers 15 bands, ranging from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, with up to 8 dB of boost or cut on each band. The Ultragraph Pro's controls are laid out in an intuitive, logical way: The main panel has 5 buttons for setting frequency bands, Q, level, gain, and sep (or mute). The 5 bands are across the top of the panel, and the 15 controls are below them. The 5-band knobs are labeled for Q (Q factor), level, gain, center, and boost. The sep control is a mute button, and the level is indicated by the bar graph that pops up when it's pressed. The gain knob is labeled, but it's somewhat vague: It says 0-100%, but it's more like a slider that ranges from about 50% to 100%. The 15-band graphic equalizer is at the top of the panel, and it's labeled by frequency. The 20 Hz band is labeled 1, whereas the 20 kHz band is labeled 15. The Q factor is labeled, and it's essentially the ratio of the harmonic content at the frequency you're boosting or cutting. The Ultragraph Pro also has a dedicated mono subwoofer output, with a 15 Hz to 15 kHz crossover. The Ultragraph Pro's controls are logically laid out, and the feedback detection function is extremely slick. The Ultragraph Pro is also quite powerful, and it offers very low noise. The Behringer Ultragraph Pro Fbq1502 is for dedicated studio and live use. It's the best graphic equalizer we've ever tested.

The EB731EQ is a heavy-duty audio compressor/limiter that inherits the user-friendly functionality from the EB731, with an expanded range of functions. The compressor/limiter features 6dB of adjustable gain, 6dB of adjustable threshold, and 6dB of adjustable ratio, all of which are controlled via a large 9-inch color LCD monitor. The compressor/limiter also has variable output level controls, which range from -10dB to +18dB, and these control the compressor's output levels and limiter's threshold. The compressor/limiter has a balanced XLR output and unbalanced RCA output for connecting to different audio equipment. The compressor/limiter also has a balanced XLR input and unbalanced RCA input, making it suitable for connecting microphones and other audio equipment. The compressor/limiter has a 1/4-inch TRS input for connecting aDAT or cassette decks, and this input also doubles as a headphone output. The compressor/limiter has a dedicated mute switch, and this switch can also be used to mute the compressor/limiter's output and threshold controls. The compressor/limiter has a gain reduction meter and limiter threshold indicator, and this meter and indicator are located on the compressor's LCD display. The compressor/limiter also has a meter and indicator for the compressor's output level, and this output level meter and indicator are located on the compressor's LCD display. The compressor/limiter has a compressor/limiter bypass switch, and this switch controls the bypass switch bypasses the compressor/limiter's compressor and limiter functions. The compressor/limiter's display is bright and easy to read, and its intensity can be adjusted via the brightness control switch. The compressor/limiter's output control switch has 6 settings: off, low, medium, high, off, off, and off. The compressor/limiter bypass. The compressor/limiter's inputs are balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA. The compressor/limiter's limiter threshold and compressor's output are both controlled by a 3-way rotary controls, 1-inch color LCD monitors, and these LCDs. The compressor/limiter's compressor and limiter both have an LED indicator lights, and these lights,

The Rockville REQ20 19" Rack Mount Pro Dual 10 Band Graphic Equalizer is our favorite rack-mounted graphic equalizer because it combines a very broad range of frequency bands, with controls that are easy to adjust, and with a rugged, stable design. The REQ20 has two input channels, and dual 10-band graphic equalizers on each channel, for a total of 20 bands. Each of the 10 bands can be independently adjusted from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The VU meters are located on the front panel, and there is also a separate left/right channel volume gain control. The REQ20's controls are conveniently located on the front of the unit, and the unit's knobs are sturdy, with solid spring action. The REQ20's frequency response is +/- 3 dB, and it has a signal-to-noise ratio of 88 dB. The REQ20 has a 20Hz to 20kHz frequency range, a +/- 3 dB adjustments, and a 100Hz high pass filter. The REQ20's rack mount brackets are removable, and the unit has 4-screw holes on the back for mounting to a rack. The REQ20 is housed in a rugged, black vinyl enclosure, and it has a 9' power cord. The REQ20 is very easy to use, and you can adjust the equalizers using just knobs and sliders. The REQ20 comes with a user manual, and Rockville provides quick technical support.