V For Balanced Tonal Quality, Pioneer GR-555 Graphic Equalizer

Pioneer GR-555 Graphic Equalizer on top, bottom Canbridge Audio A120 4 channel power amp, bottom

There's a popular saying within audiophile circles, No highs, No Lows, Must be Bose! Since replacing my previous Bose 301 MKIII speakers with a pair of Bose 901 MKVI, my front channel sound field improved tremendously. I get more of that "theater feel" when watching movies. Absolutely a positive improvement in enjoyment. However it was when replaying concert BDs, I faced the very reality of the popular saying! Something had to be done!

As the original Bose 901 series came with an equalizer if bought new(mine was "terpakai" sans equalizer as the previous owner lost it), I had to get one. The choice was either to an original Bose 901 EQ from Ebay or just get any that comes along that fits.

I waited for months for a popular Japanese branded EQ to pop up on our local hifi classifieds, but no luck until this nifty little Pioneer EQ pop up on FB Market Place. I guess real audiophiles really don't give a shit about EQ after all!   

Concert BDs was an Achilles heel for my HT system, not anymore! Tsai Ching in concert as see here

The whole HT equipment stack!

 I picked up the Pioneer GR-555 Graphic Equalizer right away and went home to install in to my HT system for the front channel Bose 901 speakers only. The EQ connects between the Denon AVR-X 4400H receiver and the front channel of the Cambridge Audio A120 power amp. Luckily I had previously bought a pair of extra Monster THX-400 interconnect for moments like this! 

The Pioneer GR-555 EQ is very definitely product of 1990's design school. On the satin black finished front facia, it has 7 band up/down slider control for both L & R channel, giving custom EQ adjustments on each side if necessary. Amber colored L & R dancing EQ bar display mimics the slider control. Round the back panel 2 sets of input & output RCAs are available including one set for Monitor signal in/out & a second set for Tape in/out, if one needs to EQ when recording.  The whole unit feels well screwed together, and as if you need proof, hey! It's still functioning after more than 20 years!

Bose 901 Series MKVI speakers, No Highs, No Lows, must be Bose! With an EQ, the sleeping giant is awakened!

With the Pioneer GR-555 EQ in the loop, when set to a V equalization curve, the Bose 901 MKVI came alive, especially when playing concert BDs! It sounds more musical, less mid range centric and widens up the bandwidth, especially the bass & treble regions. Certainly much more musically engaging than before. When watching movies, the whole system gets a small but noticeable sonic lift. Guns, canons & explosive scenes gain a degree of harder hitting impact. Even left, right, front, back panning effects are more pronounced & dramatic then before.

Not every HT system needs an EQ, but in my case, for the small outlay of a used item, it was definitely well worth the addition.