Simple Explanation

A custom EQ setting that makes a sound system more pleasing in a specific room, usually by adjusting the bass and treble.

Concise Technical Definition

A user-defined equalization curve applied after achieving flat response, tailored to the acoustic preferences or needs of a specific listening space.

Layman-Friendly Analogy

Like seasoning food to taste after it’s perfectly cooked—the house curve adds your personal flavor to the sound.

Industry Usage Summary

Used in home theaters, studios, and live venues to shape the final tonal balance of a system; often involves a slight bass boost and high-frequency roll-off to match listener preferences or compensate for room acoustics.

Engineering Shortcut

Custom EQ after flat response; preference-based tuning.

Full Technical Explanation

A House Curve is a tailored EQ profile applied to a sound system after achieving the flattest measurable frequency response. It reflects listener preferences, room acoustics, or specific playback needs. Common house curves boost bass slightly below 100 Hz and roll off high frequencies gently above 10 kHz, creating a warmer, less harsh sound—especially in untreated rooms or home theaters. The ideal house curve varies based on factors like room size, speaker type, listener training, and genre preferences. It is a subjective but critical final step in system tuning, used to make technically accurate systems sound more natural and enjoyable.