Automatic Equalization or Auto EQ is a useful feature available on many receivers. Automatic EQ helps get the best performance from your system. The listening room is arguably one of the most important components in your stereo system because of the way it affects sound. All speakers interact with the room and create everything from boomy-sounding bass to shrill sounding highs. Correct speaker placement can help prevent or control many of these problems. Room acoustic treatments are another step towards creating a good listening room with great sound. Recently many electronics manufacturers are offering automatic equalization or auto EQ features to help compensate for room acoustic problems in the form of automatic room calibration systems. These systems, found in many AV receivers acoustically measure the listening room with a microphone then use sophisticated equalizers to create the best sound for your room. The microphone listens to test tones from the receiver and analyzes the room acoustics. An automatic equalizer or auto EQ then adjusts the sound to compensate for room acoustics problems. These systems vary in capability, but most can adjust bass, midrange and high frequencies so the system sounds well-balanced. Click on the links for specific information from various manufacturers.
In addition to equalization, some systems also automatically set the speaker distance from the listener, set speaker levels and check for speaker connection problems. These features take the hassle out of setting up a system, they save a lot of time and they help get the best possible sound from your stereo or home theater system.