Hi guys. I'm newbie in hometheater. About to embark.Does the 950 and will the 990 have a means to adjust EQ for each individual channel or will I have to get outboard EQs.
Thanks

The 950 does not have built-in EQ's. We are still not sure about the 990, but the Sherwood P-965 that it appears to be related to does not have EQ's. We'll probably know for sure about the 990 by the time Outlaw goes to the HE Show in New York later this month.

Thanks for answer.
Related question: Since all rooms are different and have different EQ requirements, how does one EQ if there is none? Are we to use outboard EQ's? If so what have you used.

Unrelated question: are there 19" rack mount adapters for the 950/990 and your power amps. If so how many rack spaces does each require. Thanks.

From what I've read, EQ'ing a multichannel system is a very complex process - an opportunity to do as much (or more) harm than good without the proper instrumentation and expertise. The vast majority of surround systems don't have any EQ applied at all, although there are some outboard EQ's available (mostly two channel units that require you to use multiple units in parallel). Some surround receivers and processors are beginning to incorporate EQ's and automatic systems for setting those EQ's using a microphone connected to the unit. Per last night's newsletter about the 990, Outlaw didn't find the available packages to operate to their satisfaction, which is why the 990 doesn't have one.

I think most folks who rack-mount 950's use a rack shelf rather than rack-mount ears. Outlaw's multichannel amps (770, 755, and 7100) are the same way. There are rack-mount ears for the M200 monoblock amps, although I forget where to get them (there are some threads about this in the 200 forum). I don't know about the 990 yet, but you might look into the availability of rack-mount adapters for the Sherwood P965. As for rack space requirements, the 950 is around 4.6" high and the 990 is around 7.75" high.

playing test tones and using an spl meter will help you "eq" your sound, which is pretty much what the available auto-eqs out now do just on a larger spectrum... having used the denon avr-3805 for some time now, i have used its auto-eq feature in different rooms (had to move once) and it is nothing special. its a good thing i didnt buy it for that or i would be disappointed.

i suppose it is kind of handy, but other than that the sound quality improvements have been minimal at best. a savvy person could easily setup their system for the best sound; these auto-eq features just make the process easier for less experienced users.

i am not saying that there is nothing to room characteristics, BUT their is only so much that you can do electronically to fix those issues. a better solution is build a better room or treat/modify your rooms weak points.

What most people do for EQ is focused on the sub and the low frequencies.

One popular method is to add a Behringer Feedback Destroyer/Parametric Equalizer between the LFE out and the sub.

This allows the user to knock down any peaks in response which would produce "boom" or "one notey sound".

I am going to be installing one of these in my system and will be experimenting as time allows.

They can be had new for $99!

some newer subs have parametric eqs built in... my denon uses parametric eq supposedly. id rather buy 7 cases of beer with that $100, that way everything sounds goooooooooooooooooddddddddd

I only paid $75!!

First Sentence of that link:

If you don't do those first two steps, EQ don't mean diddly. That said, the multichannel EQ systems being offered in the higher-end receivers from Yamaha and Denon differ greatly from just adding an outboard, rackmount EQ.

I have seen and heard the Yamaha system set-up and tested and it's very impressive. In order to reproduce what it does, you need a tone generator, a RTA, a Spectrum Analyzer, and an accurate microphone on top of what ever outboard EQ you added. It's also way more accurate than just a SPL meter and test tones.

There's an article on the audioholics website about the auto EQ system that Denon is using in the 5805. According to that article, there's a lot more than just an Alesis EQ going on in that system. In fact, calling it just "Room EQ" doesn't begin to do it justice. Given, it is a system on a $5000 flagship receiver. I'm not surprised at all that it wasn't included on the 990.

Bottom line, treat your room before buying EQ.