It seems that the first time I open /dev/dsp I get a tiny click out of the left speaker, when my empeg is sitting on my desk.

Right, this is consistent with my experience. Left speaker only. The main difference is that my car amplifiers are hella powerful, so when this happens in the car, you're talking a serious amount of sound.

But that EQ thing is interesting, see my other post!

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Tony Fabris