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Subdued Voices - Phase problem?

I recently moved my speakers around to equalize the distance to my prime listening position. When I found the "sweet spot" where voices sounded like they were coming from the center, it had an unfortunate side effect: the voices receded back into the soundstage, and their volume was significantly lower than sounds coming from either side. On many albums (although not all), it is now hard to make out the singer over the louder instrumental accompanyment. I have checked the phase of the speaker wires, and everything looks correct. Any suggestions?

My system is: Flac music server over Squeezebox to Benchmark DAC1 Pre to Bel Canto Ref 1000 mono blocks to NHT Classic Three speakers. Cables: radioshack Toslink from Squeezebox to DAC; Balanced Kimber Hero to amp; Speltz Anti Cable speaker wires.
alsteinnj
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
One really odd aspect is how much the effect varies by recording. For instance, on any Nora Jones recording, her voice is crystal clear and near the front of the soundstage. On most other recordings, it sounds like the recording engineer lowered the gain on the singer's microphone

Another possibility is that one woofer is FRIED or is sticking or rubbing in its voice coil. This would affect male vocals more than Norah. Another issue could be phase on the woofers - if one is wired out of phase then it could sound ok except for sounds between 300 and 800 Hz - lower midrange.
rleff
1,065 posts
 
Have you moved them back to original positions to see if the problem is still there?
Any chance speaker cables got closer to a ac cord or some cables got crossed over the top of others?
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
FWIW: I would consider upgrading the speakers at some point anyway (next
step). They are nice speakers at their price point - possibly even giant killers -
but your source and amplification could easily drive something a bit higher end
- especially at nine feet back from the speakers (you lose about 9 db SPL at that
distance which places you close to their upper limit when listening at moderately
loud levels - dynamics may be lost and sound may be strained/distorted)
alsteinnj OP
5 posts
 
Moving the speakers closer together helped, as did moving the listening position a bit closer. I don't think I was overdriving the speakers. In fact, the balance is better louder. Thanks for the advice. I really love these speakers, but I recognize they are now the weak link in the chain. If I upgrade, I'm thinking about the Usher Tiny Dancers, the Harbeth 7ES or the Dynaudio C1, but convincing the spouse is not going to be easy. If they just came in a glossy black, I could probably slip them in . . .
casouza
239 posts
 
The Stereophile Test CD has two phase test tracks that will allow you to diagnose any phase issues.
I have seen speaker pairs with one driver wired out of phase.
Good luck
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