Sound Pure's Take

The Cranborne Carnaby HE2 is one of those pieces that makes you rethink what an EQ can actually do.

At a glance, it looks familiar—three bands, straightforward controls—but the moment you start using it, it becomes clear this isn’t a traditional EQ. Instead of just boosting or cutting frequencies, it shapes tone through harmonic saturation, which means every move you make is also adding depth, density, and character. It’s less about fixing problems and more about enhancing what’s already there.

What really stands out is how musical it feels. You can push it further than you’d expect, and instead of falling apart, things just get bigger, richer, and more dimensional. The top end opens up in a smooth, almost “produced” way, the midrange can bring sources forward without harshness, and the low end has a weight that feels solid without getting muddy.

In practice, it’s incredibly versatile. It works just as well for subtle mix bus polish as it does for more creative tone shaping on individual tracks or stems. And because of the way it interacts harmonically, it often feels faster to dial in than a traditional EQ—you’re not just chasing frequencies, you’re shaping a vibe.

The Legacy Edition adds a bit of extra appeal, but at its core, this is about the sound and the experience. It’s a modern design that still feels rooted in analog sensibility—intuitive, musical, and inspiring to use.

For engineers who want something beyond standard EQ curves—something that adds character as much as it shapes tone—the Carnaby HE2 is a genuinely unique and rewarding tool.

From Other (Miscellanous Used/Vintage/Consign)

The Cranborne Carnaby HE2 Legacy Edition is a truly unique stereo equalizer that redefines what analog EQ can be—blending traditional tone shaping with harmonic saturation in a way that feels both familiar and entirely new.

At its core, the Carnaby HE2 is a dual-channel, 3-band parametric EQ, but instead of relying solely on conventional filter-based EQ curves, it uses Cranborne’s proprietary HarmonicEQ® technology. This approach enhances or attenuates frequencies through controlled harmonic saturation, allowing you to shape tone while simultaneously adding depth, density, and musical character.

Each channel features three interactive, bypassable bands with up to 10dB of boost or cut, along with sweepable frequency controls. The high band delivers smooth, airy extension, the mid band adds focused harmonic presence, and the low band can introduce everything from subtle warmth to powerful sub-harmonic weight. The result is an EQ that feels more like a tone-shaping instrument than a corrective tool.

Designed for modern workflows, the Carnaby HE2 supports stereo, dual mono, and mid-side operation, making it equally at home on individual sources, stems, or full mixes. Its fully analog signal path is paired with digital control and recall via USB or network connection, allowing for seamless integration with DAW-based setups and hybrid studios.

The Legacy Edition adds a collectible, boutique element to an already forward-thinking design. Limited to a small production run, it features vintage-inspired aesthetics and comes housed in a custom rack case, combining classic visual appeal with Cranborne’s modern engineering.

Whether you’re looking to add subtle polish or push into more creative, harmonically rich territory, the Carnaby HE2 Legacy Edition offers a distinctive and musical approach to equalization that stands apart from traditional designs.

Technical Data

  • Test Signal Path: APx555 (Line Out) - Input - Line Output - APx555 (Line In)
  • Max Input Level: 
  • +26.0dBu (<0.003% THD)
  • Max Output Level: +26.0dBu (<0.003% THD)
  • Noise Floor: <-93dBu all bands bypassed
  • Input Impedance: Line = 10 kOhms
  • Output Impedance: Line = 150 Ohms
  • Current Draw: 140mA per rail - idle, 160mA peak

EQ Specifications

  • Hi Band
    • Filter Type: High Shelf Filter
    • Frequency Range:  5kHz - 25kHz
    • Boost/Cut:
      • ±12dB,  @ -6dBu
      • +13dB, - 18dB, @ +14dBu
    • Harmonics:
      • ~8% THD+N (100Hz, +4dBu)
      • ~12% THD+N (100Hz, +14dBu)
  • Mid Band
    • Filter Type: Peak Filter
    • Frequency Range: 200Hz - 6.2kHz
    • Boost/Cut:
      • ±5dB @ -6dBu
      • +10dB, - 18dB @ +14dBu
    • Harmonics:
      • ~8% THD+N (100Hz, +4dBu)
      • ~12% THD+N (100Hz, +14dBu)
  • Lo Band
    • Filter Type: Low Shelf Filter
    • Frequency Range: 20Hz - 420Hz
    • Boost/Cut:
      • ±8.5dB @ -6dBu
      • ±12dB @ +14dBu
    • Harmonics:
      • ~8% THD+N (100Hz, +4dBu)
      • ~12% THD+N (100Hz, +14dBu)
  • Hi Cut Filter
    • Type: Progressive slope low-pass filter
    • Slope:
      • 1st order - 3db per octave
      • 2nd order - 6db per octave
      • 3rd order - 12dB per octave
    • Frequency Range: -3db, 8kHz -40kHz
  • Lo Cut Filter
  • Type: Progressive slope high-pass filter
  • Slope:
    • 1st order - 6db per octave
    • 2nd order - 12db per octave
    • 3rd order - 18dB per octave
  • Frequency Range: -3db, 18Hz -180Hz

1/4" TRS Inserts

  • Type: Balanced, dedicated send & return, normalled
  • Config: Post M/S encoding & Carnaby, pre M/S decoding
  • Max Input Level (return): +26.0dBu (<0.003% THD+N)
  • Max Output Level (send): +26.0dBu (<0.003% THD+N)

Mid/Side

  • Type: Encoder/decoder
  • Matrix: Sum-difference matrix

Environmental

  • Operating Temperature: +1 to 35 degrees Celsius
  • Storage Conditions: -20 to 50 degrees Celsius

Dims/Weights

  • Unit
    • Width: 48.3cm (19”) (Rackmount)
    • Height: 8.9cm (3.5") (2u)
    • Depth: 23.6cm (9.3")
    • Unit Weight: 6kg (13lbs)
  • Shipping carton
    • Width: 60cm (23.6")
    • Height: 18cm (7")
    • Depth: 35cm (13.8")
    • Carton Weight: 6.5 kg (14 lbs)

Warranty

This item is sold without the Sound Pure 3-year warranty (used / B-stock / dealer-exempt). Coverage terms for items in this category live in Terms & Conditions, Section 27.

Returns

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