API 5500 Dual Equalizer
Best precision equalization for professional audio shaping.
The API 5500 Dual Equalizer builds upon the legacy of the original 550, offering enhanced versatility for mastering applications. It features a balanced input, a true straight-wire bypass with noiseless muting, and an integrated power supply. Unlike console-based EQs, the 5500 provides a balanced input and a range control that allows for finer tonal adjustments, making it ideal for complex program material and mastering. Its design eschews integrated circuits in the signal path, relying on API's renowned 2520 operational amplifiers for its signature sound and ample headroom.
$3295.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
32
/ 306
#32 in Equalizers
Price vs Category Average
+19%
Above average
Type
Dual Parametric Equalizer
/ Dual Parametric Equalizer
Who it's for
- Audio engineers seeking classic analog warmth and character for their mixes.
- Mix engineers desiring natural-sounding, musical EQ adjustments without harshness.
- Professional studios and engineers needing reliable, long-lasting analog equipment.
Who should skip it
- Home studio owners or those with limited budgets for high-end gear.
- Producers reliant on quick session recall and precise automation in their workflow.
- Musicians with small home studios or limited physical space for equipment.
Performance breakdown
Mastering Precision
Range control allows for surgical adjustments on complex program material.
Signal Integrity
Discrete 2520 op-amps ensure a pristine, high-headroom signal path.
Build Quality
Rugged construction meets the demands of professional studio environments.
Sonic Character
Delivers the classic, punchy API sound with exceptional harmonic depth.
Workflow Efficiency
True hard-wire bypass and noiseless muting streamline critical mastering sessions.
Integration Versatility
Balanced inputs and outputs ensure seamless compatibility with modern studio gear.
Key Specs
Type
Dual Parametric Equalizer
Channels
2
Rack Units
1U
Input
Balanced XLR and 1/4 inch
Output
Transformer coupled XLR
Bypass
True Hard-wire Bypass
Power Supply
Integrated with noiseless muting
Gain
+30dBm before clipping
Features
- Enhanced mastering versatility with range control
- Signature API sound with discrete components
- True hard-wire bypass for signal integrity
- Noiseless muting for clean power-up/down
- Ample headroom for clean signal processing
- Balanced input and transformer-coupled output
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the API 5500 Dual Equalizer for its exceptional sound quality and robust build. Users frequently highlight its ability to impart a distinct musicality and punch to audio, making it a favorite for shaping tracks with precision and character. The unit's reliable performance and durable construction also receive high marks, assuring professionals of its longevity in demanding studio environments. Its intuitive controls, while sophisticated, are often described as straightforward, allowing for efficient workflow. This equalizer is celebrated for delivering that classic API sonic signature with modern flexibility.
Know before you buy
While it retains the classic API sound, the 5500 is specifically engineered for mastering. It adds a range control for finer amplitude adjustments and features a balanced input, making it better suited for program material than the original console modules.
No, the 5500 avoids integrated circuits entirely. It relies on API’s discrete 2520 operational amplifiers to maintain the signature sound and high headroom required for professional mastering.
The range control allows you to scale the amplitude of the EQ settings. This is particularly useful in mastering, as it lets you make more subtle, surgical adjustments to the frequency response than the standard settings would allow.
No, the 5500 features a true hard-wire bypass combined with noiseless muting circuitry. This ensures that switching the EQ in or out of your signal path is completely transparent and silent.
While it is optimized for mastering, its dual-channel design and high-quality discrete components make it an excellent choice for tracking or mixing individual instruments and stereo buses where you want that classic API character.
No, the 5500 features an integrated power supply. You can connect it directly to your power source without needing any external bricks or proprietary power racks.
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