Schiit Loki Mini+ Equalizer Review

[jbattman1016]

This review is probably the only one I've seen on ASR that I think is totally off-base, and that has led to some very strange comments by readers.

When testing an equalizer, if you want it to look weird, normalize all the graphs to 1 kHz. The right way is to keep the levels exactly the same, and see how the EQ changes the response when you twist the knobs.

Also, there is NO reason to believe that ANY equalizer will produce flat frequency response with all knobs turned to min or max. Anyone thinking it should do that just doesn't understand what an equalizer does. Flat FR with controls other then at zero is not part of the remit of any EQ.

Finally, some commenters seem to believe that the Loki should act like a room-correction device. That's like saying a wrench is defective because it's not a pair of pliers. Each tool has its purpose! For room correction, precise PEQ usually is best; for program equalization (which the Loki is designed to do), wide EQ over broad bands is the way to go, as it is harder to make sound unnatural and is easy to adjust.

I use my wrenches as hammers.

 

[Robbo99999]

This review is probably the only one I've seen on ASR that I think is totally off-base, and that has led to some very strange comments by readers.

When testing an equalizer, if you want it to look weird, normalize all the graphs to 1 kHz. The right way is to keep the levels exactly the same, and see how the EQ changes the response when you twist the knobs.

Also, there is NO reason to believe that ANY equalizer will produce flat frequency response with all knobs turned to min or max. Anyone thinking it should do that just doesn't understand what an equalizer does. Flat FR with controls other then at zero is not part of the remit of any EQ.

Finally, some commenters seem to believe that the Loki should act like a room-correction device. That's like saying a wrench is defective because it's not a pair of pliers. Each tool has its purpose! For room correction, precise PEQ usually is best; for program equalization (which the Loki is designed to do), wide EQ over broad bands is the way to go, as it is harder to make sound unnatural and is easy to adjust.

I don't think this device should or has any chance of acting like a room correction device. I still don't think it's a good implementation though.

 

[olds1959special]

I use a Loki+ to boost the treble for watching TV (far right knob, should be 8k). For me, this device works fine. I use it disengaged for music. Is there any loss of quality when the EQ is not active, but the device is powered on? (switch flipped down)

From Schiit's website:
Well, if I do get it, can I bypass it?
Yes. There’s a switch on the front to completely bypass the tone control stage—as in, a relay connects the input and output directly, no active devices in the signal path at all.

 

[dzerig]

I use a Loki+ to boost the treble for watching TV (far right knob, should be 8k). For me, this device works fine. I use it disengaged for music. Is there any loss of quality when the EQ is not active, but the device is powered on? (switch flipped down)

From Schiit's website:
Well, if I do get it, can I bypass it?
Yes. There’s a switch on the front to completely bypass the tone control stage—as in, a relay connects the input and output directly, no active devices in the signal path at all.

Schiit measures the bypass on their site under specs.

SNR is 123.4 db

THD+N Ratio 0.000114 %

THD Ratio 0.000019 %

Noise Ratio 0.000113 %

Crosstalk 109.813 dB