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Getting phantom image perfectly centered

This is driving me nuts! I can't get the image centered unless I turn the balance control on the preamp to the 1:30 position. I've tested the system from source to loudspeakers from an electrical standpoint, so I know each speaker is getting the exact same electrical signal with a test tone and each speaker outputs the same dB with the same test tone.

So, it HAS to be the speaker room interaction, right?

I've read http://www.linkwitzlab.com/listening_room.htm and I THINK I understand everything.

All of the following measurements are in inches:
The room is 189 long by 144 wide. (15.75 feet by 12 feet)

The speakers are precisely 45.5 inches from the back wall.
They are each 26.5 inches from the side walls with a caveat. The left speaker is 27.5 inches from the window sash, which is 1 inch deeper than the wall. It's 30 inches to the top panes of glass and 28 inches from the lower panes of glass. But measured from the actual wall, both speakers are exactly 26.5 inches from the wall.

The speakers are precisely 90.5 inches apart.

The listening position is pretty close to 45.5 inches from the back of the room. The back of the room is open to the rest of the house and the wall on either side of the opening is symmetric with each partial wall being 36 inches.

Listening to a recording were I know the voice is dead center, the voice is actually just to the left of centered, and I mean "just". Would you recommend moving the left loudspeaker towards the center an inch or two?

What kinds of techniques to you use to "dial it in" when you've got a really revealing system and you are past the "math" and it's all more art than strict science?

I think you should be able to see a picture of my listening room here: http://orion.quicksytes.com/download/file.php?id=3096

My apologies if this isn't the right sub-forum to post this question to.
marktrav

Showing 3 responses by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
21,835 posts
 
The window to the left and sound reflections from that almost certainly has to be a factor resulting n more reflected sound energy to teh left rather than right.

Do you hear a difference if the shade is up or down?
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,835 posts
 
Whatever works. Every room is different. Not every setup will have symmetrical acoustics so there is no rule that says your speaker placement must be symmetrical either.

Also all speakers have different dispersion patterns at various frequencies. Its usually a good idea to get a handle on that case by case in order to figure out best placement option faster.

Its always best to avoid early wall reflections for best imaging. The tradeoff is that distance from walls often will lower bass levels. What sounds best always varies case by case. So don't be afraid to experiment and do whatever works. Should not be needed is all is well but having a balance control provides yet another option.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,835 posts
 
yes good point that ears could be part of the problem. An ear cleaning kit is a very cost effective tweak on occasion. 👂👂
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