According to one embodiment, a system for processing data includes a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor. The logic is configured to individually set, for each of one or more range-constrained finite impulse response (FIR) filter taps configured for use in a FIR filter, a predetermined range of values suitable for controlling an equalizer response. The logic is also configured to pass data through the equalizer comprising the FIR filter to obtain equalized data. Each of the one or more range-constrained FIR filter taps are individually adaptive within its predetermined range of values. Also, the data is read from a magnetic storage medium.