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moosers
Published on 08/07/10 at 21:19
API Audio's 5500 Dual Equalizer is a stereo equalizer which is essentially two API 550's within a single casing. This is an analog piece of gear that has XLR connections for both inputs and outputs, and also has a 1/4" input for each channel as well. It is rack mountable and will only take up a single space in a traditional rack casing.
UTILIZATION
Even if you aren't familiar with the API 550's, the API Audio 5500 Dual Equalizer is still pretty simple to use. Each of the two channels has four bands to work with, each with parameters for gain and frequency. Each channel also has buttons for setting the slope between the low and low mid and high and high mids. One parameter that is unique to the 5500 rather than the 550's is that it has range parameters that allow you to set which amount of db range you'd like the gain parameters to go to. A manual shouldn't be necessary here...
SOUND QUALITY
The sound of the API Audio 5500 Dual Equalizer is outstanding all the way around, as it's got a super clean tone that won't color your sound at all beyond the EQ moves you make. It's perfect for getting a quick boost or gain to a certain frequency, as the full frequency spectrum is pretty well represented amongst the four bands. It's definitely a versatile EQ, especially with the added range parameter that isn't found on the 550's. I've always found these EQ's to be really easy to use and to really clean sounding, which is basically what makes up a good EQ in my mind.
OVERALL OPINION
While the EQ's inside of the API Audio 5500 Dual Equalizer are outstanding, I'm not 100% sure it's worth buying within this setting. Honestly, I'd rather start a 500 series lunchbox with a couple of these in it rather than get the 5500, as having them racked up adds a lot to the price. So while I guess you can't really go wrong here beyond the expensive price, if you're counting your dollars it's probably best to be a bit more economical and go with a lunchbox and a couple of 550's...
UTILIZATION
Even if you aren't familiar with the API 550's, the API Audio 5500 Dual Equalizer is still pretty simple to use. Each of the two channels has four bands to work with, each with parameters for gain and frequency. Each channel also has buttons for setting the slope between the low and low mid and high and high mids. One parameter that is unique to the 5500 rather than the 550's is that it has range parameters that allow you to set which amount of db range you'd like the gain parameters to go to. A manual shouldn't be necessary here...
SOUND QUALITY
The sound of the API Audio 5500 Dual Equalizer is outstanding all the way around, as it's got a super clean tone that won't color your sound at all beyond the EQ moves you make. It's perfect for getting a quick boost or gain to a certain frequency, as the full frequency spectrum is pretty well represented amongst the four bands. It's definitely a versatile EQ, especially with the added range parameter that isn't found on the 550's. I've always found these EQ's to be really easy to use and to really clean sounding, which is basically what makes up a good EQ in my mind.
OVERALL OPINION
While the EQ's inside of the API Audio 5500 Dual Equalizer are outstanding, I'm not 100% sure it's worth buying within this setting. Honestly, I'd rather start a 500 series lunchbox with a couple of these in it rather than get the 5500, as having them racked up adds a lot to the price. So while I guess you can't really go wrong here beyond the expensive price, if you're counting your dollars it's probably best to be a bit more economical and go with a lunchbox and a couple of 550's...