1. Home
  2. misc-audio
  3. 197663-196729

Balance Control

ok...not sure what category to start this in so....here it goes.

i know balance control options are not widely available, at least from what I have seen.  However, with volume loss and damage to my right ear, I am looking for a way to adjust, offset, some of that loss.

To keep what i have simple and relevant, I run a Hegel 190v, a few years old, newer model.  Monitor silver series speakers and an Audeze MM-500 headphones.  Also run a pair of Lokius - table and cd

Of note, I like the Hegel, but not sure it is the absolute best  to pair with the Silvers or vica-versa...so these might or could change over time, in no rush as happy enough and the EQ takes edges off when needed.

75% of the time i am using the headphones.  No dedicated listening room and a lot of later night listening....plus i like it.

So, looking for the collective wisdom of this place to give me possible solutions, options, possibilities, recommended units and such.  I have come up with either replacing the Hegel with a unit with balance control - or with a unit with separate left and right channel volume control - or since i listen mostly to headphones, a headphone amp that can do the same..and just suck it up for now on the speakers.  However, not sure about so much as to what is out there.

This is not something i need to do immediate but looking to map a plan so to speak. Gather input. Trying to avoid doing one thing only to change to another. 

I truly appreciate any input as reading this forum has help over the years.
 

kinglek
irjones
84 posts
 

I too have a hearing defect. My left ear hears mid to high frequencies less than my right, which is correct. So I started to move my listening position, to the left. After many days of experiments, I was pretty sure, that was the way to go. So I moved my speakers on the right, further to the right, by 2 meters.

This really was the way to go, not only sorted for myself, but put the right hand chair in the sweet spot.

As far as h/phones go, I can adjust the sound by moving my jaw. The best sound on my h/phones is with my jaw fully open!

irjones
84 posts
 

AAAAAAAARRAGH ! We are DEVO.

mitch2
4,747 posts
 

If your goal is to simply correct the channel imbalance due to your hearing, and you don't want to either move your speakers or purchase a new preamp that has a balance control, you could try Rothwell Attenuators (link).  The cost for a pair of attenuators is around $106 USD (plus shipping), but maybe you could purchase just one. You simply place one of the attenuators in-line with the channel you want attenuated.  The default value is -10dB, but they come standard in several higher attenuation values.  If you want/need an attenuation value less than -10dB, then that would be a special order.  It seems a simple and inexpensive thing to try before buying a new preamp or adding DSP.  They also come up for sale in the used market occasionally.  You could post a wanted ad as I am sure there are some folks on this site or at USAM who have a forgotten pair stashed in a box somewhere (as I do).

elliottbnewcombjr
7,782 posts
 

@mitch2 

OP needs to balance 3 sources prior to entering the Hegel preamp with the built-in headphone jack. He would need 3 pairs of those.

OP just bought a Chase RLC-1 remote line controller (new, $45.) with 4 remote selectable inputs, vol, bal, mute, tone, and auto/progressive bass boost for very low volume listening.

I expect it will not only solve his needs, but he will also confirm that it does it’s job undetectably. I cannot count how many times I have yanked it out, and put it back, no one can tell it’s in line, or when alternately use via a tape loop.

kinglek OP
14 posts
 

@lanx0003  - i like this....pricier than what i ordered (the Chase) but very nice...might try this as well...if just to play with....very pretty, lol....and i like the design and options.


@elliottbnewcombjr  - might be a bit before i get to it as i never have the time and still a week before it gets here give or take - but yes, i will definitely report back here once up and running.

These will be the two options i will explore for now.  If i decide to change integrated amp for another or separates, I can still do so moving forward and owul dmake sure i have balance option.

More to discover