Andrew Chapman Creative’s Hardware EQ Tier List: Sonic Street Weapons Ranked

Andrew Chapman Creative kicks things off with a proper hot take—Rupert Neve might have wanted EQs as a last resort, but Andrew’s here to abuse them for fun and profit. This isn’t your average gear rundown; it’s a tier list brawl featuring every hardware EQ he’s battered in two decades of studio combat. The categories are pure gold: from the tongue-in-cheek “Oh My Chandler” (god tier) down to “I’ll use the plugin version” for the units that just don’t cut it in hardware form.

The vibe is clear: opinions will be strong, and if your favourite box gets dunked, it’s nothing personal—just different ears, different music. Andrew’s style is direct and playful, with a warning that some sacred cows are about to be grilled. The stage is set for a marathon of EQs, grouped by style, and ranked with zero mercy. If you’re easily offended by honest opinions, this isn’t your safe space.

Straight out the gate, the Klark Teknik EQP-KT gets sent to the digital doghouse—Andrew would rather use the plugin. But then the Stam Audio SA-EQP1A storms the top tier, praised for its musicality and saturated magic. Tube Tech’s PE-1C? Also god tier, but your wallet’s going to hate you for it. The Warm Audio EQP-WA lands in the solid middle: good, but not life-changing.

What makes a unit stand out? It’s not just price or hype, but the way it shapes sound without turning your mix to mush. Andrew’s not shy about calling out units that disappoint, even if they’re popular. At the same time, he’s quick to hype up those rare beasts that deliver punch, bloom, and musicality in spades. If you want to know which EQs are worth your sweat and which are just studio furniture, this is where the real talk happens.

This section is a guided tour through a jungle of 500 series and rackmount EQs, with Andrew dropping hard-won insights on where each box shines—or stumbles. The Lindell Audio LiNTEC gets props for its punchy, transformer-driven grit, especially at its price point. The Pulse Techniques Pultec 500 Series? Top marks for cramming classic tone into a tiny box. API’s 560 and 550A/B are lauded for their unique proportional Q and versatility, making them Swiss Army knives for everything from kick drums to vocals.

But it’s not all hero worship. Units like the Lindell PEX 500 and DBX 530 get called out for being just “fine”—they have a job, but don’t expect fireworks. Meanwhile, the SSL Ultraviolet and Drawmer 1971 score big for their mix bus magic and clever features like band-specific saturation. Andrew’s breakdowns are loaded with practical advice: what works on drums, what flatters vocals, and which EQs will have you tweaking for hours just because they sound that good. If you want the full flavour, though, you’ll need to watch the video—some of these sonic tricks are better heard than described.

Andrew hammers home a crucial point: no matter how many tier lists you watch, your own ears and workflow are the only things that really count. He’s got strong preferences—API and SSL get plenty of love, while Neve 1073-style EQs, despite their legend status, never make it past “excellent” in his book. The Heritage Audio and Vintech clones get a nod, but he’s clear about what works for him and why.

This isn’t about chasing brand names or following the crowd. Andrew encourages viewers to try gear for themselves, trust their instincts, and remember that even the most hyped box might not fit your music. The message: don’t let internet opinions (even his) override your own taste and needs. If you’re building a rack, make sure it’s for your sound, not someone else’s Instagram feed.