Provided are an equalization apparatus and method of compensating a distorted received signal. The equalization apparatus includes: a filter unit removing inter-symbol interference (ISI) from a multi-channel signal that is received; and a zero-offset controller identifying a zero offset of the multi-channel signal and determining operating coefficients of the filter unit by reflecting the identified zero offset. A response filter, which reduces loss and noise, can be used, and the structure of the response filter can be simplified. In addition, channel characteristics are estimated in real time at an initial stage of data transmission and reception. Thus, an equalizer optimized for channel interference characteristics can be provided.