A method and an apparatus for a channel estimator comprising a plurality of distinct filters each of which has a set of different coefficients and each of which is selectively coupled to the input and output of the channel estimator. The channel estimator further comprises a switching circuit that receives an error signal and switches to one of the plurality of filters based on the value of the error signal relative to an established threshold. The error signal is from a decoder coupled to a communication channel whose response is being estimated by the apparatus and method of the present invention.