Does Power Quality Affect Your Studio Sound? We Tested It with Equitech
Most engineers plug their gear into the wall and assume it just works. But what if your console, interface, monitors, or outboard gear could actually perform better—just by improving the power feeding them?
At Providence Sound and Vision, we teamed up with Equitech, the originators of balanced power, to show you how cleaner electricity can unlock the full potential of your equipment. In this video and post, we explain the science, share a real-world test session, and let you compare the results for yourself.
Why Power Conditioning Isn’t Enough
Many studios use basic power conditioners to clean up noise. These devices help isolate gear and protect it from spikes or surges. However, they don’t improve the actual quality of the power reaching your equipment.
That’s where Equitech Balanced Power Solutions come in.
What Is Balanced Power and How Does It Work?
Balanced power starts with a transformer that splits a standard 120-volt AC signal into two phase-canceling 60-volt legs. These legs are equal but opposite, which causes any incoming noise, hum, or buzz from the power grid to cancel itself out before reaching your gear.
This isn’t a gimmick. It’s real, proven physics. In fact, Equitech is trusted by some of the most precise labs in the world—including NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory—where power cleanliness can’t be left to chance.
Power Quality = Performance Quality
Better power doesn’t just remove noise. It also improves how your gear performs.
Every piece of pro audio equipment uses a bridge rectifier to convert alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC). With standard power, the rectifier works harder, pulling only part of the waveform and discarding the rest. That process introduces noise and can degrade performance.
Balanced power delivers a symmetrical waveform. As a result, the rectifier runs more efficiently. Your gear gets the current it needs—without strain, hiss, or added distortion.
The result? Your recordings and mixes sound cleaner, tighter, and more defined.
A Real-World Studio Test with Equitech
To prove the concept, we set up a session at our Los Angeles facility. We used a mix of “Crossfire” by Chris Van, engineered by Brian Gross, and ran the stems through a high-end analog chain:
Outboard gear rack
Dangerous Convert AD+ back into Pro Tools
The only variable? Power.
We toggled between standard LADWP wall power (via power strips) and the Equitech 2RQ balanced power unit.
What We Heard
When switching to balanced power, the difference was immediate:
Kick and bass had more low-end focus
Snare had more body and impact
Vocals centered like a phantom image
Highs felt more open and airy
It was like a fog lifted. Tracks became more dimensional and emotionally connected.
Important Listening Tips
To get the full experience:
Set your YouTube playback to 4K, which triggers higher audio quality
Visit the linked blog page to stream or download uncompressed audio files
Use headphones or studio monitors to hear the differences clearly
Import the files into your DAW if you prefer a familiar playback environment
A Second Test: The “Eye of Providence” Beat
We also tested a second track—a low-end-heavy beat created by Brian Gross—to show how balanced power affects music with different frequency content.
Again, the results were noticeable. The bass tightened up. The transients hit harder. And the space between instruments became more defined.
Final Thoughts
Electricity isn’t just a utility—it’s part of your signal chain. Whether you’re recording, mixing, or mastering, power quality matters.
Equitech’s balanced power systems give your studio the clean foundation it needs to perform at its best. And thanks to our video demo, you can hear the proof with your own ears.
Interested in hearing how your studio could benefit from Equitech’s balanced power solutions? Contact Providence Sound And Vision today and we’ll set up a demo at your studio so you can experience pure balanced power in your space and hear what you’ve been missing.
