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Golden Age Project EQ81 MKIII 4-band Equalizer

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Golden Age Project EQ81 MKIII 4-band Equalizer

$379.00 to $419.00 Price Tier: Standard

5.0 (1)

1 Review

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Page last updated Jul 06, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated July 1, 2026.

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$419.00

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4.0 (2)

$419.00

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4.0 (1)

$419.00 9 available New

$373.33 1 available Used

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5.0 (1)

$419.00

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$419.00

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4.2 (5)

$379.00

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Average Price: $407

Standard/Professional

$100

$501+

Price Tier

In the Effects Processors category, Golden Age Project EQ81 MKIII 4-band Equalizer is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Golden Age Project EQ81 MKIII 4-band Equalizer". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Introducing the Golden Age Project EQ81 MKIII 4-band Equalizer, a versatile unit that brings the classic 1081 console module vibe to your recording setup. The EQ-81 MKIII is built around a class-AB equalizer circuit that mirrors the EQ section from the 1081 module. It doesn't possess the high and low pass filters but makes up for it with its warm, punchy, sweet, and musical sound character.

The EQ-81 MKIII's stepped frequency controls offer a wide selection of frequencies from 33 Hz to 15 kHz. The BASS and TREBLE frequency bands can be switched between shelving and bell, while the MID frequency bands feature a bell type with a switchable Hi Q setting. It offers a control range of +/-18dB and the ability to set all four bands in an off mode.

The standout feature of the Golden Age Project EQ81 MKIII is its versatility. It can be used as a standalone EQ or connected to the insert jack of one of the Golden Age Project preamps. When combined with a PRE-73 preamp using a UNITE rack kit, you can achieve a 19-inch 1081-style unit at a budget-friendly price, without compromising the sound quality.

Key Features:

Vintage Style electronics with no integrated circuits in the signal path when the Insert connector is used
4-band with inductor based mid frequency bands
Stepped frequency selection from 33 Hz to 15 kHz
Control range up to +/-18 dB
Each band has an off mode
Tantalum capacitors in the EQ signal path
Can be used with Golden Age's preamps with an insert jack or as a standalone unit
TRS jack for the INSERT mode in-and output connection
IC-based in-and output stage for the LINE IN mode with balanced TRS and XLR connectors
Selectable ground lift jumper
External power supply to avoid interaction with the audio circuits

Owner's manual

Golden Age Project EQ81 MKIII 4-band Equalizer User Manual

Product specs

Type	Solid State
Number of Channels	1
Number of Bands	4
Q Type	Switchable Hi Q
Boost/Cut Range	±18dB per band
Freq Range High	3kHz-15kHz
Freq Range Hi-Mid	1500Hz-10kHz
Freq Range Lo-Mid	230Hz-1600Hz
Freq Range Low	33Hz-330Hz

FAQs

What type of equalizer is the Golden Age Project EQ81 MKIII?: The Golden Age Project EQ81 MKIII is a vintage-style, solid-state 4-band equalizer designed for precise tonal shaping and enhancement in studio recording environments.
What is the frequency range of the high band on the EQ81 MKIII?: The high band on the EQ81 MKIII covers a frequency range from 3kHz to 15kHz, allowing for detailed control over the high frequencies in your audio signal.
Can the Q type be adjusted on the EQ81 MKIII?: Yes, the EQ81 MKIII features a switchable Hi Q option, enabling more precise control over the bandwidth of each frequency band for targeted equalization.
What is the boost/cut range available on each band of the EQ81 MKIII?: Each band of the EQ81 MKIII offers a boost/cut range of ±18dB, giving you significant flexibility in shaping the tonal balance of your audio.
Is the Golden Age Project EQ81 MKIII suitable for use in professional studios?: Yes, the EQ81 MKIII is designed for professional studio use, offering high-quality components and a vintage-style sound ideal for enhancing recordings.

Videos

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JeffreySchmidtMusic

Golden Age Project EQ-81 MK3 - Review & Demo

JeffreySchmidtMusic

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PROS

Rugged, long-lasting build quality
Provides a classic Neve-style EQ sound
Exceptional analog saturation and character
Effective for vocals, guitars, and bass
High Q option for precise mid-band control
Versatile shelving options for low and high bands
Enhances clarity in voice recordings
Easy to use for those new to analog EQ
Great value for a standalone inductor EQ

CONS

Sensitive to electromagnetic interference
Noticeable background noise in some setups
Small and closely spaced controls can be fiddly
Lacks a bypass switch for easy comparison
High frequencies can be difficult to control

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5.0 out of 5

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jimmarchi1

41029

over 4 years ago

It's not a perfect 1081 but for the money? 5 stars!

Many with more experience will say that the class AB 1081 sacrifices the sweetness of the 73 for features and that it doesn't even touch the 1084 which is class A and has hiQ on the mid as well as some extra frequencies available... but I always liked having the extra mid band!

As with the GAP eq71 you want to avoid the mk1 eq81 if you want to use it on your desk's inserts or loop it through an interface output back to an input while mixing (although if you have a pre73 you can easily loop in and out of the ou interface assuming you'renot trying to compress pre-EQ and you can run off your inserts with or without compression before the line amp assumingyou're super precise with gain staging, though the results in either instance you won't exactly be getting the effect of a neve 80 series desk with dynamics insertion but you'll get some mojo from the transformer balanced line amp though it will be colored by anything before it).

If you've never used a 1081 know that it's the cleanest neve eq with the most flexibility... but just as with the 3 bands it's impossible to destroy your source material. This eq does exactly as much as it needs to and no more. If you're new to analog EQ this unit is a great starting point.

I personally love the sound of an 81 or ISA eq so I'm coming in with some bias towards the later neve designs. It's very clear but not without character and the frequencies available are perfect for sitting any source in a mix assuming it's not recorded incompetently. Even for corrective EQ this circuit is a champ as the frequencies are perfect for most of the mic placement errors you encounter as a mix engineer. The HiQ settings are just right most of the time. If the 81 won't do it you may need a full parametric or like a urei little dipper! Or just make the idiots who recorded it go back and do it over... just kidding.

Without springing for a great river I feel like golden age is the only game in town for this type of inductor eq in a standalone format for insert use. It's not that good but it's really good, ok? You can rack a pair of these new for half the price of the eq2nv and you will be really happy... you lose a little vibe and may experience some smeariness due to the IC in and out buffers versus class A discrete buffers but really, its minor; the sparkle and harmonic richness is right there. Wealthy connoisseurs will quibble, but I work the cheap seats and I definitely will take the cheapo clone over a plugin. Even a BAE or AMS is kinda out of my reach still. I have a kid to feed.

The wall warts are a bummer but investing in their rackable PSU solves that, running 4 modules from a single conditioner outlet... and once you have 1 of these you'll want more. The rack mount kit is sturdy as heck and pretty cheap at about 50USD.

I have not been this happy with a brand new budget piece for a long time and plan to purchase a few more... and some moe eq73s!

Preferred Settings + Usage:

I will try this on anything. It's great on kick,, bass, guitar (270 and 330 at hiQ for electricguitar muck, 2k7 or 3k3 low for harshness, hi and low shelves or bells to taste), any vocal especially post compression! Try a little sandwich with a 1073 strip shaping the track into a varimu or la2a followed by the eq81 making corrections and boosting 15k as a shelf... and maybe pop a fet compressor in parallel... badaboom

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Keyboardist

Genres:

Electronic Orchestra Alternative rock