Switch Between Multi Speakers ? ?

hap123

I'm looking for a low end (not expensive) unit that will let me switch between multi set of speakers. Mainly A or B set to compare the sound of each. My surround processor does not have that feature and i know something does. Can someone please direct me in the right direction. I think there is a stand alone unit that will do that.

Thanks - Hap

danger boy

http://seattle.craigslist.org/ele/145825114.html

this might be what you need to switch between speakers.

Holydoc

hap123 wrote:

I'm looking for a low end (not expensive) unit that will let me switch between multi set of speakers. Mainly A or B set to compare the sound of each. My surround processor does not have that feature and i know something does. Can someone please direct me in the right direction. I think there is a stand alone unit that will do that.

Thanks - Hap

Hap,

When you compare speakers like this remember that you will need to calibrate each set so that you get a good comparison. When I did my comparison, I also used such a switcher box. However I did the following first.
1. Turn switcher to Speaker A and calibrate to reference level.
2. Write down the settings on your receiver for Speaker A at Calibration level
3. Turn switcher to Speaker B and calibrate to reference level.
4. Write down the settings on your receiver for Speaker B at calibration level

Now you must show an assistant how to set the calibration on your system so that when they switch from A to B, they also set your receiver to the correct calibration level for the selected speaker. It is rare that the calibration setting will be similar for different speakers.

If you do not do this, then your ears can mislead you to think that the difference in volume is a difference in detail. This is especially prevalent when testing an 8ohm speaker to a 4ohm one.

Since your mind has a very short term memory of sound, I would also recommend using a paper and pencil to annotate sounds or nuances that you may not have heard from A to B. This will allow you to really narrow down the detail and judge what you really prefer.

Note: A trick that you can do if you have a good size room and the calibration settings between A and B is very close, is to place speaker A and B at different distances from you to adjust the calibration "physically" rather than "electronically". This will simplify the process considerably since you can then just have an assistant switch from A to B randomly while you take notes and listen. No pause between sound allows for less memory loss.

Have fun!

hap123

Thanks for the quick reply, a spaker switcher is exactly what I'm looking for. I will print this info (really do have short memory:-) and use it at the correct time.

Thanks again - Hap

heiney9

Adcom makes a very nice audiophile grade speaker switcher. Check ebay, they show up quite often. Also Niles Audio makes a line of speaker switching boxes that from what I've heard are nice.

http://www.nilesaudio.com/product_selection.php?catcdID=7

H9