Quote Originally Posted by Bigmoney
Do you think I will notice any sound deterioration by adding an external crossover to my system, just because it is another component through which the signal travels, such as an equalizer.
I mean, the essense of the problem of hi-fi - the stuff through which the signal has to travel.

Sure, you might notice deterioration, or you might not. Or you might notice a tiny deterioration in one area but a significant improvement in another. The only rule that applies is, "Add nothing to your system that isn't a net benefit". Whether an equalizer will be net benefit to your system? It depends on the problem your trying to solve and whether the EQ is the cheapest and/or most cost effective solution to that problem.

Hence if your actual problem is sound reflections from walls beside your speakers, then room treatments will be a better solution than an EQ and possibly cheaper. If your problem is a few response peaks inherent to your speaker, then an EQ might work well and be cheaper than new speakers. On the other hand if your problems is that your speakers lack resolution, the an EQ will only make things worse. If your problem is you have have a couple of hundred bucks to spare and its burning a hole in you pocket, spend it on music, not an EQ.