Graphic equilizers?

I wouldn't recommend a graphic equalizer. You'd be better off saving that money and putting it toward a new purchase that eliminates the problem at the source rather than covering it up artificially. In addition, you'd be adding another set of cables and electronics into your system through which the signal must pass, and that's always better avoided if possible.

The problem is most likely the speakers or possibly your source -- the Creek should be fine and cables more often than not are just reproducing what they're getting. If you remind us what else is in your system you may get more informed suggestions. I would caution that, although Vandys are excellent speakers, many people find them a little rolled off or dark in the treble range for their personal tastes, so you should pay particular attention to this area to see if they may be too much of a good thing for long-term enjoyment.

My advice: borrow decent quality speakers and a source component from a dealer or friend and see which one solves the problem. I'd start with the CD player cause it's easier to transport(no pun intended) and, as they say, it's better to fix the problem at the source(pun intended). This route obviously takes more effort than simply buying an equalizer, but in the long run you'll be much better off and you'll learn a lot in the process. Best of luck.

A graphic equalizer is a Band-Aid that will never stop the bleeding. Unless you have a horrible room it is wiser to fix the problem at its source. Try other speakers and/or other electronics with the speakers you have.

if the HF's are that awfully harsh then you have some other problems, not frequency-response related, that an Eq will not resolve. Synergy & cabling issues are a good place to start. Cleaning up your AC power & using some decent AC cords would be another good place to look into.

IMHO unless you can afford the expense of a good one like a Cello or Sigtech or TacT you'll probably make things worse. Your new speakers might help. The money spent on a cheap equalizer might be better spent on room treatment.

I've noticed that the harshness is most noticable on CD's, and not FM or the satellite feed. My CD player is a Rotel 951 and I'm using Silver Serpent cables from Better Cables. Someone advised me that an MSB Link would smooth things out, and I have one one the way. The III with the upsampling card.