Manley Enhanced Pultec Equalizer Review

We have used a fair amount of Manley equipment over the years, and their Pultec equalizers remain among our favorite pieces from the company. Alongside our Stereo Pultec we keep the mono Manley Enhanced Pultec Equalizer.

The appeal is straightforward: it combines the broad, musical behavior associated with the classic Pultec approach with Manley’s excellent construction and expanded frequency choices.

The Pultec idea, expanded

The low-frequency section provides boost and attenuation at 20, 30, 60, 90 and 120 Hz. The high-frequency boost section provides eleven selectable frequencies from 1 through 16 kHz, along with variable bandwidth, while high-frequency attenuation is available at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 kHz.

As with the classic circuit, the low boost and cut controls can be used at the same time. Because their curves are not identical, simultaneous boost and attenuation creates a useful contour rather than simply returning the response to flat.

This is not a surgical equalizer. If we need to remove a narrow resonance or solve a precise frequency problem, there are much better tools for that job. The Manley is about broad tonal decisions.

Built the way Manley builds things

The physical construction is one of the pleasures of using it. The controls feel substantial, the front panel is beautifully executed and the entire unit has the sort of purposeful industrial quality that has long characterized Manley’s analog equipment.

Reliability has been equally good. Our Manley Pultecs have given us no problems and have not required retubing. They are quiet for tube devices, although we would not claim they equal the noise floor of the best solid-state electronics.

Why keep the mono version?

The Stereo Pultec has an obvious home across our two-bus. The mono Enhanced Pultec gives us the same basic tonal vocabulary in a single-channel format when stereo operation is unnecessary.

That sounds simple, and it is. One of the virtues of this kind of equalizer is that it does not invite endless adjustment. Select a frequency, turn a control and listen.

Verdict

The Manley Enhanced Pultec is not about maximum flexibility. It is about having a small number of broad, useful tonal controls implemented extremely well.

For us, that remains valuable even in a studio surrounded by far more elaborate equalizers.

Highly recommended.

Also see our review of the Manley Stereo Pultec.

Specifications

• Type: Mono tube program equalizer
• Low-frequency boost/attenuation: 20, 30, 60, 90 and 120 Hz
• High-frequency boost: 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 kHz
• High-frequency attenuation: 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 kHz
• High-frequency bandwidth: Variable

Manufacturer: Manley Laboratories