There are some decent pro units that don't break the bank. They'll do RTA or digital EQ for 2 channels (but not both at the same time). One is the Behringer DSP8024 (< $200 US), the other is the Alesis DEQ230. I prefer the Behringer DSP8024 for living space use, the auto-EQ works reasonably well for getting in the ball park on 2-channel material, you've got all the control you need, and cosmetically it's not as ugly in a living space (the rack ears are removable, there's a single backlit LCD).
Unless you're listening to a test source (pink noise, for example), the RTA is pretty useless. I guess some might find it pretty, but it would annoy me to have it enabled while watching a movie and I'd much rather have EQ than RTA (can't have both unless you daisy-chain two units).
The Behringerhas balanced I/O at pro level (+4dBu), I use a Rane BB44X to convert to -10dB unbalanced for connecting to consumer gear.
