balance knob?

ctrulock
ctrulock Posts: 73
edited October 2007 in 2 Channel Audio
My room is messed up. It has a passageway (no closing door) about 1/4 from right wall. I have switched wires, amps, speakers from left to right but just can not solve the right channel playing too low problem. I am now resolved to play the balance knob game. I have to turn the balance to the right up to 2.5 (max 5) BUT i get perfect soundstage and image when i do this. My question is, "is balance control a cardinal sin?" The tone controls do not have to be adjusted at all as they still sound the same as when i do not use balance knob. Am I going to mess up my right speaker by adjusting my balance? Also do any of you "audiophilies" use the balance for poor room accoustics?
Post edited by ctrulock on
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,644
    edited October 2007
    just move your right speaker closer

    Balance knobs are for n000bs ;)

    My preamp dosnt even have one!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited October 2007
    Sure. Why not? That's what it's for. I have to put a little extra on my left channel to level out for the acoustic differences between speakers. Just a hair.
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited October 2007
    If it ain't broke...
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited October 2007
    ctrulock wrote: »
    Also do any of you "audiophilies" use the balance for poor room accoustics?
    No.

    Have you eliminated the source/pre/amps/IC's as a suspect?
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited October 2007
    No. No. No. I've used built-in gain controls in the past, and some pre-amps have individual volume for L&R but this has rarely been an issue for me personally. If it sounds good to you, rock on.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited October 2007
    treitz3 wrote: »
    No.

    Have you eliminated the source/pre/amps/IC's as a suspect?

    Why not? Isn't that essentially what we are doing when we use an SPL meter to calibrate speakers for acoustics for HT? The difference here is that a turn of the knob affects both speakers. Am I missing something? (totally possible):p
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited October 2007
    wingnut4772 wrote:
    Why not? Isn't that essentially what we are doing when we use an SPL meter to calibrate speakers for acoustics for HT?
    2 channel only kinda guy here.

    I know jack about HT except that I'm not a fan of it, so I cannot comment.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • ctrulock
    ctrulock Posts: 73
    edited October 2007
    Well im gonna eq (balance) sounds rock solid. My room is really f-ed up but do to waf (wife acceptance factor) i am stuck with this room. lsi9-yammy rx797 in 12x14 room 8 foot ceilings and polk 404 sub is YUMMY even if i have to balance knob alot! Peace.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,644
    edited October 2007
    Here is what I will tell you about HT calibration

    I am a firm believer if you have to adjust your L/R volume to match in a HT setup - you need to pull out your tape measure... JUST saying! ;)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited October 2007
    That's a ridiculous statement. Calibration isn't about the tape measure, it's about listening position.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • ctrulock
    ctrulock Posts: 73
    edited October 2007
    I am running 2.1 music rig lsi9 with polk 404 sub. Why? Because a band called "The Beatles" existed!!!!!
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited October 2007
    treitz3 wrote: »
    2 channel only kinda guy here.

    I know jack about HT except that I'm not a fan of it, so I cannot comment.


    Well. Room acoustics affect sound differently from each speaker ,as you know, and a lot can happen by the time it reaches your ears. The goal is to have the level from each speaker the same SPL as the sound hits your ears. When you calibrate the speakers with an SPL meter one may be 'lower' than the other and need a boost in the signal to level it out so it reaches your ears evenly.

    I suppose ideally one would have a symmetrically acoustic layout for strict two channel which would eliminate the need for any similar calibration. In ctrulock's and my case, our layouts are less than ideal so short of having a menu that will allow us to calibrate individual SPL levels in a 2 channel pre, the balance knob will have to suffice.

    That's my take anyhoo..
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited October 2007
    ISP check please. Sorry for the interruption.

    wingnut4772......

    Carry on.;) :D
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited October 2007
    Put the sub where it sounds good, adjust it so it sounds better and have fun. If you put too much thought into it, you'll be one of these nutjobs....including me.

    It's not hard to enjoy music but there are folks that will certainly have you jumping through hoops to figure that out.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited October 2007
    Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote: »
    Here is what I will tell you about HT calibration

    I am a firm believer if you have to adjust your L/R volume to match in a HT setup - you need to pull out your tape measure... JUST saying! ;)

    Gotta disagree ..I am ANAL about this stuff. Laser level, Tape measure. You name it and I still got different readings from my L/R in my HT just due to the room, furnishings, etc.

    And yes. I said anal.
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited October 2007
    treitz3 wrote: »
    ISP check please. Sorry for the interruption.

    Carry on.

    HA!:D:D
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • ctrulock
    ctrulock Posts: 73
    edited October 2007
    TY, wing. Ever try to level left and right speakers to Beatles "Revolver" LoL its like pissing the wind. I did get some help from Mr. Ray Charels on my balance knob adjustment. BTW Mr. Ray Charles is the shizzle!
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,644
    edited October 2007
    I guess I am so use to not having those capabilities - I pretty much rely on precise measurements on 3 sides of the speaker... from the wall (side and rear) - between speakers and from listening position...

    To me, with no balance or level control - its all I got.

    And I must admit, it works darn well
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited October 2007
    Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote: »
    I guess I am so use to not having those capabilities - I pretty much rely on precise measurements on 3 sides of the speaker... from the wall (side and rear) - between speakers and from listening position...

    To me, with no balance or level control - its all I got.

    And I must admit, it works darn well

    If you have a pretty symmetrical room there for the speakers to interact with that's a beautiful thing.
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,644
    edited October 2007
    One thing for the topic starter to consider...

    Get like an acoustic panel on like a stand

    Move it in place directly beside the speaker to see if that helps -- may create an artifical wall perhaps...
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • ctrulock
    ctrulock Posts: 73
    edited October 2007
    I did level my rig but I am sorry I just could not stand the look (in daylight) of one speaker 1 foot closer and toed out too much. God I wish I had a better (dedicated) room!. When I get one I will bi-amp monoblock so fast it will make your head spin, LOL!
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  • ctrulock
    ctrulock Posts: 73
    edited October 2007
    BTW it still sounds good. ATM im listening to Cat Stevens!
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  • jakelm
    jakelm Posts: 4,081
    edited October 2007
    Just break out the SPL meter and use the balance knob....
    Monitor 7b's front
    Monitor 4's surround
    Frankinpolk Center (2 mw6503's with peerless tweeter)
    M10's back surround
    Hafler-200 driving patio Daytons
    Tempest-X 15" DIY sub w/ Rythmik 350A plate amp
    Dayton 12" DVC w/ Rythmik 350a plate amp
    Harman/Kardon AVR-635
    Oppo 981hd
    Denon upconvert DVD player
    Jennings Research (vintage and rare)
    Mit RPTV WS-55513
    Tosh HD-XA1
    B&K AV5000


    Dont BAN me Bro!!!!:eek:
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited October 2007
    Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote: »
    One thing for the topic starter to consider...

    Get like an acoustic panel on like a stand

    Move it in place directly beside the speaker to see if that helps -- may create an artifical wall perhaps...

    No offense Trey, but is this question REALLY at that level, at this point? I'm out folks, run this poor guy into the ground with overkill suggestions. Ctrulock, good luck and welcome to the forum.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited October 2007
    dorokusai wrote: »
    No offense Trey, but is this question REALLY at that level, at this point? I'm out folks, run this poor guy into the ground with suggestions and how he should spend his money. Ctrulock, good luck and welcome to the forum.

    I just said turn the knob. It's free.:D
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited October 2007
    I completely agree, Wingnut.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,644
    edited October 2007
    GIK has one that cost like 80 bucks...

    Not very expensive, may help him out
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • jakelm
    jakelm Posts: 4,081
    edited October 2007
    And for what its worth to all you "2 channel philes".:mad::mad: You callibrate a HT the same as you do 2 channel.:D:D

    Think of HT as 2 channel times 4...lol



















    ......think you all so special with your big towers of 2 speakers...hmmmmm aauurrrggghh...wheres my stapler.....excuse me..i believe you have my stapler..thats MY stapler....he took my stapler......i could burn this place down....
    Monitor 7b's front
    Monitor 4's surround
    Frankinpolk Center (2 mw6503's with peerless tweeter)
    M10's back surround
    Hafler-200 driving patio Daytons
    Tempest-X 15" DIY sub w/ Rythmik 350A plate amp
    Dayton 12" DVC w/ Rythmik 350a plate amp
    Harman/Kardon AVR-635
    Oppo 981hd
    Denon upconvert DVD player
    Jennings Research (vintage and rare)
    Mit RPTV WS-55513
    Tosh HD-XA1
    B&K AV5000


    Dont BAN me Bro!!!!:eek:
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited October 2007
    jakelm wrote: »
    And for what its worth to all you "2 channel philes"
    That's all I could take before I started crying. I'm SO sorry.:(

    They are still knobs of sin and I am just answering the new gentleman's question.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • jakelm
    jakelm Posts: 4,081
    edited October 2007
    Keiko wrote: »
    I took the IC and speaker cable challenge just recently and WwwOwwW! What a difference.


    Oh LOORRDDD...Another one..:p
    Monitor 7b's front
    Monitor 4's surround
    Frankinpolk Center (2 mw6503's with peerless tweeter)
    M10's back surround
    Hafler-200 driving patio Daytons
    Tempest-X 15" DIY sub w/ Rythmik 350A plate amp
    Dayton 12" DVC w/ Rythmik 350a plate amp
    Harman/Kardon AVR-635
    Oppo 981hd
    Denon upconvert DVD player
    Jennings Research (vintage and rare)
    Mit RPTV WS-55513
    Tosh HD-XA1
    B&K AV5000


    Dont BAN me Bro!!!!:eek:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter