Test CD : In Phase / Out of Phase test

I was in a hurry when I typed out my response this morning. Also, with the posting delay, things can get confusing. The last post I see is Kiwi from today, the 3 paragraph states he will try my recommendation (zd542). Just to keep context, this response in response to everything up to the post I just mentioned.

Something I need to clarify. When you say test discs, I'm taking that literally. These are actual recordings that are to be used in the set up and evaluation of audio equipment. That's what I'm going on. If the recordings you are referring to are just a bunch of well recorded, audiophile pressings of music that are great for really testing a system, then my first post probably doesn't apply.

The reason I said that there is nothing wrong with your system is that the phase test that you describe, should sound messed up. Its typically used to show what a system will sound like if you made an error connecting your speaker cables. If that's the case, there really is nothing to fix. I had a look at the 2 systems you have listed. It looks like you really know what you are doing and take audio very seriously. Given that, I just don't see you messing up connecting speaker cables. That's why I say there is nothing wrong with your setup.

hello again Zd542.

My response was rushed to. I guess that is modern life.

To your question, yes, I have test CD's from Chesky Records, Nordost and Stereophile. These test CD's carry a number of audio tests which include channel identification, phase, LEDR, test tones, signal sweeps, absolute phase, burn in tones etc.

Using Stereophile test CD2 in my main system, I achieved results similar to yours. My speakers are not equidistant from the sidewalls. The whole system is shifted to the left side of the room and my listening position is centered between the speakers. In addtion to that, neither sidewall is similar as far as surface is concerned. Since the system sounds fine otherwise, I won't worry about it.

In my secondary system which is my reference system, the speaker position and the room are much more symetrical. The result here was an even shift between channels and a lack of central specificity. I never did sense the out of phase signal to envelope or wrap around the listening position. The speakers are postioned quite close to the sidewalls in this room with a fair amount of toe in. The seating position is also closer than in my main system.

You could experiment with some alternate speaker positions or try a few absorbers in different areas and see what happens.

I guess I will clarify, too. The Test CD I was referring to is the XLO Test CD. TRACK 4 is the Out of Phase track for determining speaker locations without guesswork. The methodology of the Out of Phase track on the XLO Test CD eliminates a lot if guesswork involved in trying to find the optimum speaker placement in a given room strictly by ear. The problem with the move a little/listen a little method for speaker placement is you never know when you've found the optimum location. That's the beauty of the XLO Out Of Phase track - you can find the absolute best locations for the speakers. The disadvantage, if you want to call it that, of this methodology is that you have to address room anomalies in order to get to the point where you start hearing the effects of the Out of Phase track - where sound seems to be coming at you from all around your room, even from behind you. Unless room acoustics are addressed minimally it's virtually impossible to hear what they're talking about. As an old philosopher once said, "It ain't easy McGee."

Using the in phase/out phase track to position your speakers/listening spot may result in the best positioning for soundstage/imaging info, but it will not necessarily give you the smoothest tonal balance.