What I don't get...

[Buffalobiian]

It seems to me that between real speakers (stuff sounds as intended) and headphones with the obviously reduced bass output, a preset equalizer trying to compensate for that might be useful.

At least that's what I've been using a preset equalizer setting for ages on my mini hifi stereo system to which my computer is connected. Since I use 99% of time headphones, not speakers. Though I have somewhat decent German headphones, not some made in China bubbles, so I might be slightly off topic considering Bill's original question (if he meant portable mp3 players and such).

I meant any media player, such as portable ones (ipods), and software ones (WMP).

@real speakers: equalisers are supposed to be used when real speakers are in use as well to compensate for room acoustics, standing waves and such in this case. That would be via special tuning, and not selecting a preset.

As for turning up the bass when wearing headphones to compensate, that would be similar to the example above about compensating for the inconsistent frequency response of your equipment. Only difference is that "lacking bass" is such a general feature of open circumaural headsets that a "bass boost" preset will probably do the job nicely.

edit: oh, DS mentioned this.

The reason why the studio doesn't do this themselves, is because not everyone has speakers with drivers that can produce the extra range reasonably distortion free, in fact, most people don't. Also like I said, what gains are preferable is entirely subjective.

So studios don't generally equalise the record?

Also decent phones and even some of the in-ear earbuds definitly benefit from a "bass-boost" setting.

Wouldn't you expect better cans to produce more accurately and therefore reduce any beneficial effect presets would have?

I used to do the treble boost like Ryll on radios to hear voices better.. I guess that's one usefulness I can agree with.