Speakers versus Balance vs Amplifier
I’ve been leaning towards a Pass amp to try the magic of Class A but couldn’t commit to an amplifier without a “balance” adjustment. Love the reviews of the new Int-60.
Yet, when I listen to my Mc 252 through my SF Olympia IIIs, I find the “balance” feature is NOT the same as moving my seating position to the midpoint on my loveseat. I always sit on the right side and try to “balance” the sound by increasing the left side volume.
Should be good, right ? Most definitely not !!
But, If I just shift my body 15” to the left, center if the of the loveseat, ALL manner of magic happens . . . the music and singer are now right in front of me . . . wide, deep, tall . . . amazing ! No sense of sound on the right or left . . . mostly just right at me !
I cannot achieve this effect with the “balance” adjustment and I’ve been trying for 4+ years ! ! !
So, maybe I’ll try the Pass amp, forget the balance control and just sit in the middle!
And, yes, I’ve had the speakers and JL subs toed in, straight, toed out, baffles aimed inwards, aimed outwards, etc, etc, etc
My seat is about 8’ back from the amp (in the center) with the speakers about 5’ to each side !
I guess Nelson knows “balance” adjustments controls just don’t get it . . . . center listening position does !
So, do others agree or am I just not smart enough to use the “balance” control feature.
All feedback welcome BTW, tonight, 54 years since first listened to, I find the musicality of AquaLung still awesome ! The louder the better . . . being 72 still has its benefits . . especially when you’ve got the house to yourself !
Thanks for reading this ramble !
Balance adjusts the VOLUME of one channel vs the other. Moving your seating position changes the TIMING of the sound waves arriving at your ears. You can’t adjust timing with a balance control. As other have suggested, you might be able to change the toe-in to get better imaging, but that is changing the received dispersion from your speakers, again, that doesn’t affect timing. Your best be is to move you or your speakers so the timing is appropriate. Then you can adjust the other things to dial it in. |
@hickamore Phillips. Sold and fitted through Costco.
Actually I think a lot of hearing aid manufacturers are realizing younger people with only minorly degraded hearing are starting to wear hearing aids (like glasses) and are starting to off these features and others. |
Simple. Either move your loveseat 15" to the left or move your speakers 15" to the right. Or if you think your wife will notice, move the loveseat AND the speakers 7 1/2" to the left AND right respectively. As you have already deduced, the balance control knob will not solve your sweet spot issue. Or you can just listen in the dark. You will automatically move to the sweet spot. |
