2. misc-audio
  3. 154568-104029

Balance knob ..

So I'd say I've been a budget audiophile for 40+ years. Used to sell audio at Audio Warehouse in Cincinnati in the '80s. Currently I have a pretty big room with 12' ceilings, but different open areas behind each of the Maggie 1.7is and the Emotiva BASX 10" subs behind each. All driven by an Emotiva XPA-2 Gen3 and old CJ PV-10AL preamp. Listening mostly through a Bluesound Node 2i. CD player is a Panasonic Aventage BD1060 disc player. I have the sound, honestly, pretty damn great. But I am realizing a bit of bias to the left speaker. I think this is because that speaker has a lot space behind and to the side whilst the right has less and more complicated space behind and a closer side wall. 

I have always been told - and believed - that you shouldn't ever mess with the balance knob. But if the sound is a bit UNbalanced isn't that what it's for? Just to "balance" the output? But then I think with more signal going to the channel that the knob is turned to - which will screw-up imaging, soundstage, depth, etc., no? 

I am kinda stuck cuz I can't move the speakers or have a dedicated listening room. 

Thoughts? 
jkf011

Showing 2 responses by mijostyn

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,175 posts
 
Newbie, bad idea. There are two factors that determine center stage. Volume and phase. They both have to be right on for the best image. By just moving over you change relative volume but you leave phase behind and blur the image. With a balance control you change the volume without changing the phase relationships. 
With the best systems a balance control is vital. The balance of many recordings varies 1 to 2 db which is very significant. I frequently have to adjust the balance a little to get the right image even on digital recordings. If you do not hear the variation in balance between recordings you have work to do. 
jk, use that balance control as much as you need.
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,175 posts
 
newbee, I think you are right. The CJ does not have a balance control.
Incorrect phasing is always important if you want a solid image as well as the right volume for the location of the image. 
In thinking about it it is hard to describe the effect when you drop the volume on one side 1 db while at the listening position. The louder channel takes on more weight I suppose. The image is crooked? The image is blurred to the louder channel? Certainly the instruments located on the quieter side lose some of their presence and gain some on the louder side. Instruments and voices in the center lose some of their definition. 
More to discover