New Rockville REQ42 Equalizer vs 1980s Radio Shack Equalizer

A father-and-son product review... [Update 2020: I often get negative comments about my son's comments during this video, but the entire reason for doing these videos in the first place was to get him interested in technology. It's not necessarily even a serious product review, and the interruptions are sort of a "comedy bit" in these older videos. This was 2 years ago, I didn't have ad revenue enabled. If you want the short serious review it's simple: Don't buy the Rockville!]....of the Rockville REQ42 and how it stacks up against the equalizer I bought 25 years ago, the Realistic model 31-2020A. My budget about was $60 in Amazon gift cards which left me with the choices of: (1) a Behringer FBQ800 for $70, (2) a Pyle PPEQ100 for $66, (3) a Rockville REQ 20 for $59, or (4) the Rockville REQ42 for $65. I have had good experience with Behringer however that one only went down to 60Hz on the bass side and didn't have extra inputs. Reviews on the Pyle indicated serious problems, in my opinion. Had never heard of Rockville, but it was designed in the USA and had the most features. As I say in the video I think it will get the job done for helping my outdoor speakers sound better. The drawback is build quality pales in comparison to my 1988 Radio Shack equalizer!

[@maddoggt6145]

Yup I just bought a Rockville. I have a Realistic one from 1988-89 same as that one you have and it is the KING of equilizers even to this day I believe. SOund quality is perfect. Like you said, the Rockville is CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP. It is sad that my 1980's stereo system still trumps anything on the market today both in sound and quality components. Built to last back then and will perhaps outlive me. Even speaker systems today suck. Nothing like old fashioned 12" 250 watt woofers crfacking the concrete in the foundation. Today one little sub woofer cannot deliver the same quality at all. Only reason I bought this Rockville one is to add to my other TV system that has a silver amp. Its not for pumping music. My old system is for that. Even a 1989 6 CD disc changer. Still works perfect! Not to mention old dual tape deck and amp. Excellent.

[@avenueb]

i particularly enjoyed your son's commentary

[@mrwhite9830]

We should all be so lucky! Hah.

[@ramonbmovies]

Me too! lol

[@robertgarcia2866]

No disrespect to your son he should keep quiet mote so we can hear you more teach him about respect to elders

[@rhoodj]

😂😅😂😂😮 I think the same here😮😮😮 oh nooooooh

[@mikerico5568]

Yeah, I have a late 70's Radio Shack equalizer. It was a recent purchase. It does its job great! I am looking for a second equalizer for my system in the shop. I'll cross off Rockville. Thank goodness for your review 'father-and-son'

[@joniladd]

THANKS, you just saved me the cost of buying something I likely would not have been happy with. Like you I have a RS EQ from the 80's and it works fine

[@ItsaRomethingeveryday]

I like the Realistic one here of the two

[@MarcelLambert2009]

I really enjoy your kid on this video, this is life, this is good, those will be very precious memory one day.

[@mrwhite9830]

Amen brother

[@pauldonoghue9379]

how did you plug it in?? Pretty colors! BUT NOT HELPING ME?? HOW DO YOU PLUG IN THEOUT A MONITOR???

[@ACBMemphis]

The receiver "tape out" jacks are connected to the "main in" on the equalizer, and the equalizer "main out" is connected to "tape in" on the receiver. There are some videos and instructions if you search for "How to connect equalizer"

[@kleber8149]

People can't expect more from a $59 price tag.

[@mrwhite9830]

All these people commenting on your co-host, I mean, sure he could have went back and edited some of the interruptions out, but I personally love that your son is so excited about audio and your interests

[@ACBMemphis]

You're right vintage audio often built to a higher standard. Thanks for the positive comment! Yes, I really do this more as a fun hobby for my son and myself, and the KZbin audience just gets to listen in...

[@DaltonRoque]

Eu estou no Brasil e ia comprar o Rockville REQ42 Equalize, você me convenceu a não comprá-lo mais. Li os comentários na Amazon sobre este equipamento, dizem a mesma coisa que você com variações. Obrigado pelo vídeo. Thanks!

[@ConsoleHoarder]

I bought the silver version of the req42 , I think the sound is good but it is so cheaply made about half the lights flicker now and the plug in the back doesn't fit tight. so i would say if you go on ebay you could find a much better equalizer for $60

[@buder5116]

i got an realistic 5 band EQ from the 1985 and going strong though the slider need dismantling cleaning and put back together xD

[@what_ever1971]

Wow, it’s like going down memory lane

[@cletosalinas2274]

I'm here in Kuwait how to order this item please give the details.

[@ACBMemphis]

I just checked and this item is still available on Amazon or ebay. Thank you for watching the video.

[@FromMyListeningChair]

Love my Rockville, best part is the 4 inputs compared to the Realistic 2 inputs.

[@Lesrevesdhiver]

I was thinking about getting a rockville but now it doesn't seem like a very good unit. I have the Realistic 31-2020 and a couple sliders are a tad scratchy but I love that thing, especially the multi-color display.

[@ACBMemphis]

You could probably use DeOxit spray to remove the scratchy effect. Thanks for watching!

[@robbielex]

Junk Rockville is NOT a spectrum analizer. Just watch the lights perform the same pattern over an over only reacting to the loudness of the source. I bet if you played all bass and then all treble the lights would still do the same crap.

[@raymondleggs5508]

Just because the spectrum analyzer is basically just a VU meter/ visualizer doesn't man it's junk.

[@buddykiller]

@Dave Micolichek let me reiterate, a *new* $60 eq, better? i thought about getting one of those because of the analyzer but decided against it due to the low band count and lack of xlr. i think i'm happier with the aktech analyzer kit anyway due to it's size and the use of those neat retro bar leds. i have it mounted to a 3u spacer that i have my digital media receiver mounted to and should look really nice once i get a smoked plexi panel to hide it and the panel ammeters. i agree with techmoan, lights make my rig sound better :D

[@chinchecka8672]

@@buddykiller You're a complete knob gobbler.wtf 🤣🤣🤣

[@nobleblueterriers9480]

He is a knowledgeable co-host ...I enjoyed you video!!!

[@ACBMemphis]

Thanks for watching!

[@IndoreJunction]

i want to purches how can pls reply i m from india

[@ramonbmovies]

Thx for the review. The unit doesn't look well-designed at all. I wonder if it helped the sound for those outdoor speakers.

[@ACBMemphis]

Thanks for watching! Ended up not using it, between the Arylic and Yamaha receiver's tone controls sounds good without it...

[@mauroromero5732]

lo compre y ya se fundio un led recien empacado y recien calado pero si cubre las espectativas.

[@jorgebasurtohernandez5998]

your kid rocks man!!! 😎😎😎

[@Whitevaliantwarrior]

"Okay son time to go in the next room and play with Toby the dog."

[@TheSwartz]

Watched the entire video only to listen to your daughter's commentary! So cute! "But Radio Shack, their company went down.." ahhhh... you're teaching her right!

[@mrwhite9830]

I think it was his son, but faaaacts. It's hard to trust anything these days without thorough research, even the "trusted" vintage brands. I would be hard pressed to even trust Orion, Onkyo, Clarion aside from their EQ, even my once favorite brand besides Orion that I kept on a pedestal up there, while still probably okayish, Massive Audio, is seemingly more about the profit than charging a little more for quality. If you're the best, people will pay for it. A certain respect. And it is known.

[@TheSwartz]

@@mrwhite9830 oh, if that's a little boy, then, I am embarrassed :) hard to tell just a voice at that age sometimes. Still, super awesome to have a little helper like that!

[@artg7909]

What charming video

[@ACBMemphis]

Thank you for your kind comment!

[@devryguy27]

I tell you what guy, I found the perfect and best EQ for you, awesome. You can throw both of those away... its the Kenwood GE-7030. !!!! Monster. Cute kid, sounds like me when I was 4.... all about electronics!!!

[@ACBMemphis]

Yeah, that Kenwood 7030 looks awesome! I like the all digital controls, they will never get scratchy. And after shipping still going for over $300 used on eBay... Wow. Thanks for watching!

[@ferraridan4883]

Kid is cute. Interruptions go really old however.

[@Mickey-Knox]

This video is hilarious.

[@TheRealJohnHooper]

What I never understood why EQ for left and right channel? It is super hard to level each channel 100% exact with those manual switches.. Very rare are amps with included Equalizer.. That to me is the perfect 2 in 1 device..

[@markmmm1737]

It is for setting the differences in the room and speaker placement. If 1 speaker is in the middle of the wall vs in the corner.

[@alphacapo]

Wow this rockville eq seems like a real piece of crap. Does it still work?

[@ACBMemphis]

One of the lights started flickering, I ended up sticking with the Realistic. I put the Rockville in a box and have not touched it since... Anyway, thanks for the comment!

[@reinaldcanelareinald7073]

Gostaria de Comprar Um Da Cor Prata Mas Não Sei Como , Moro No Brasil

[@NotSure876]

Ebay, Amazon

[@DxNxRx80]

Good info you saved me $ thanks

[@jlcougilljr]

well, given all the interruptions i had to watch more than once to understand your over-all review, at least enough to know i've decided not to get one of these. i have one of the Realistic, those have always been great eq's

[@devryguy27]

Vintage is always better!!!!!

[@TheRealJohnHooper]

The most important thing to know about using an EQ is that the human ear is the most sensitive at 3Khz.. The range between 2000 and 4000 KHZ is the most important range .. Lowering and trying that range with 3db try and error you will get the best results. It still bothers me that all the HIFI Amps had base and treble tuner, but that 3kz adjustment would be much more important because if that range is just a bit too loud the speaker sounds annoying.. And a 6db boost at 60hz is always good for low volume listening (6db = twice power usage) For loud volumes leave the base flat.. upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/Lindos1.svg/704px-Lindos1.svg.png

[@jkingkingsbury9490]

I actually thing you're only looking at small things that are wrong with it than the positive things that Rockville is verry good in price and sounds actually good I got a new updated on so mine is better but its whatever I don't think you gave Rockville a good chance.

[@mauroromero5732]

muy chignon se oye genial

[@empowermph]

i think this is dope my father put me on to hifi stereo systems this video takes me back to the basement studio lot of miserable incels need to stop the negativity

[@ACBMemphis]

Thank you for watching, and for the positive comment! (It probably comes across worse in the editing process like I am being interrupted but this is a learning process for my son and KZbin gets to come along for the ride... )

[@sergiosahagun6208]

I purchased one and it's very cheaply made and the display is not even in sync with the unit

[@MdJahid-jk5gy]

nice🔈🔈🎤💖

[@richardantonelli8922]

The Rockville is a much better equalizer !!!!!!

[@jjarratt]

The Rockville looks like a Chinese creation: cheap, poorly made and with little support starting with the manual.

[@chinchecka8672]

ALL Rockville stuff is cheap Chinese junk.

[@starmc26]

Well yeah, i mean, it's an analog unit. Literally ALL audio signals are digital today.

[@oscarnavarro1033]

old school is better !! he said get high ... lol

[@rangerrick222]

Can I just say... No disrespect intended.. it is just a bad idea to have your child in a video like this. It was so distracting I had to leave and didn't hear what I wanted to learn because I couldn't.

[@rashadalokla6588]

Literally e too

[@rhoodj]

Those rockville provide a light show, the spectrum doesn't match the equalization set up. They are cheap for a reason. They are not for me👎👎👎

[@Cotronixco]

The Rockville is a terrible piece of equipment. The display is blinding and useless and has nothing to do with the music. The LED's on the knobs are very bright and distracting, especially at night. And they will burn out and flicker. But even worse, there is a 240 Hz howl coming from the unit physically whenever it's powered up. The only way anyone could use this EQ is if it was installed in a different room with long cables running to it. One of the worst pieces of equipment I have ever seen. And the funny thing is, I don't see how it would have cost them any more to design it correctly.

[@Guiltless765]

Junkkkk