Q: My new car has a Logic 7 Sound System that has an "equalizer" audio menu with lots of settings. The settings are vertical, with a marker in the midpoint. You can go up (+) or down (-) from the midpoint to adjust them. What are the best settings for optimum sound quality?
A: Assuming both the car and audio system manufacturers have designed the system properly for the car's acoustics, the proper setting is "flat" with everything at the midpoint. I could write pages about equalization, all its myriad forms and why it exists. But in your case, it's just a tone control with lots of settings. Adjusting the sliders up and down will change the sound of a particular song, but it is not an accurate adjustment, and over time it is likely to cause listening fatigue as you play other music.
I'll be writing more about equalization in an upcoming column.
A second chance
Last year I told readers how to get a special deal on a revolutionary new ZVOX soundbar. More than once I spelled out the promotion in the column, but I still received many e-mails from readers who balked at the website's directions to "pledge" money in order to get the deal. Unfortunately, a lot of people got the impression that they had logged onto a fundraiser and promptly logged off. Then they wrote to me saying, "I don't see how to order."
Another opportunity has presented itself, and I am going to try again.
ZVOX's new soundbar is a smaller version of the SB400/SB500/SB700 soundbars that were my 2016 Sound Advice Product of the Year. The new SB380 nearly matches the performance of the $499 SB400, yet it is notably smaller and sells for only $299. It combines premium-quality speakers and a built-in subwoofer in a sturdy aluminum body, and features ZVOX's AccuVoice feature to make television dialogue much easier to understand. It all comes together to produce rich, clear and room-filling sound. Given its capabilities and price, I think it is an even better deal than the $249 AccuVoice TV speaker offered last year.
ZXOX is selling the first batch of SB380 soundbars on Kickstarter, and that's what appears to be at the root of the confusion. When you see something that says, "Pledge $215 for one ZVOX SB380 Soundbar" it means you will pay $215 and receive the product as soon as they start manufacturing it. What ZVOX is doing is providing a significant discount for preordering, and Kickstarter is the vehicle through which they are doing it. You are not making a donation; you are buying the product.
There is a limited number of each offer, first come, first served. The best deal is "pledging" $195 to buy the $299 soundbar, but these are disappearing quickly. The next best deal is $215, and then $235. Finally, the most expensive, though it represents the biggest discount, is two SB380 soundbars for $380.
You can see the promotion at kickstarter.com and search for ZVOX SB380. The promotion ends July 10, though I am sure it will sell out long before then.
Send questions to Don Lindich at donlindich@gmail.com. Get recommendations and read past columns at soundadvicenews.com.
