Mercenary Audio - EAR 825 vs. GML 8200

I was wondering if you guys had listened to the EAR 825? If so, what did you think? How does it compare to the GML 8200? I have used the 824 and loved it.

I have used both, they're both great, but they're as different as night and day.

The (EAR) 825 is a "passive" style [think Pultec] dual 5 band equalizer with the top bands fixed in "shelving" mode, the 3 mid bands perform in a "peak/dip" manner with a fixed "q" [bandwidth]. The GML 8200 is a fully active dual 5 band with a choice of "peak/dip" or "shelf" on the top and bottom bands, all 5 bands are fully parametric. On the 8200, the boost/cut as well as the frequency selection and bandwidth are fully adjustable, on the 825 the frequencies are selected from pre determined choices, the quantity of boost or cut is determined by the gain knob.

The 825 has "a sound", the 8200 is more like 'a wire that equalizes'.

Both are very high headroom devices with great bandwidth response, the 825 has a warmth and a depth that few other units possess. The 8200 on the other hand is designed so you really can't tell it's in the signal path... except that you can raise or lower any part of the frequency spectrum and shape the tone on which you're working... but seemingly without the equalizer influencing the sound other than the raising or lowering of the selected frequency in the selected section of the frequency spectrum.

There is a unit that combines the best of both worlds, and gives some additional flexibility as well. The Manley Labs Massive Passive gives you the tonal 'sweetness' of a passive filter design, along with the capability of filter bandwidth control. It also gives the ability to put any or all of it's 4 bands per channel into either "shelf" or "peak/dip" control which nets maximum flexibility.

Like the 825, the input and output amplifiers on the Massive Passive are tube based while all the amplifiers on the 8200 are based around GML's proprietary solid state, class-A discreet "op-amp" building block. While the term "op-amp" is often associated with cheap IC chip designs, this particular "operational amplifier" uses only the highest quality individual components and like it's tube counterparts features a 'class A' amplifier design [class A amplifies the waveform as a opposed to the more efficient class B type design that splits the wave form into "top" and "bottom" and amplifies each separately... while it is more efficient, there is a distortion caused around the 'split' of the wave form that can often be perceived as 'not musical].

Overall, they're all great units. The GML with it's unparalleled flexibility, the EAR with it's rich, symphonic tone and texture, and the Manley Massive Passive which will net you some of the best of all worlds.

Overall, if you're looking for the tonal shaping ability of a parametric EQ with the depth and breadth of a passive filter based unit, the Manley should fit the bill for you in many, many ways... and hey, if for some reason it isn't the most exciting thing that has entered your audio career... then we want it back!!

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