They don't make 'em like that any more: tone controls
16 hours ago
- #hi-fi
- #tone-controls
- #audio-equipment
- Tone controls (bass, treble, and loudness switches) were once ubiquitous in hi-fi equipment but have largely disappeared from top-quality modern devices.
- The Leak 130 amplifier is a rare contemporary example that includes bass and treble adjustments, catering to nostalgic consumers.
- Tone controls adjust frequencies in the bass (low-ish) and treble (high-ish) ranges, with the Baxendall circuit being the standard design since 1950.
- Human hearing sensitivity varies with volume, requiring adjustments to bass and treble at different listening levels for consistent tonal perception.
- Hi-fi manufacturers phased out tone controls in the 90s, citing purist ideals and cost savings, despite their practical utility.
- The disappearance of tone controls is partly due to market misconceptions and consumer acceptance of their removal.
- Modern amplifiers rarely include tone controls, leaving younger generations unaware of their benefits.