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IMAGE PROBLEMS VOCALS OFF CENTER

My image is off center.
I have changed practically everything.
Swapped interconnects, cd players, placed left speaker on the right and right speaker on the left and vice versa. Switched amplifiers, power cables etc etc. The image (noticeable on vocals) is about a foot to the right of center. DRIVING ME INSANE!!!!!!! I have this gear in an architecturally sound room. It was designed by Obsession AUdio in the U.S. and it is definitely not a room issue. It is not my hearing (as first thought) because others have noticed and confirmed the problem as well. HAS ANYONE ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM?
Could it be an electrical issue coming in to the house????? Is that even possible?
Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Randy
butterscotchmusic
57 responses Add your response
butterscotchmusic OP
24 posts
 
Thanks everyone for your input and responses. I am sure it was informative for anyone with image issues.

I finished all the traps in my room and have added just about all the diffusion panels and tubing etc. IMAGE IS DEAD ON. Vocals are now right where they should be. I can't figure out why everything has popped into place, but it has. Those of you who guessed it was a room issue must have been correct.

I am guessing that I was experiencing reflections fromt the speakers. That must have been the issue.

Thanks again for the many suggestions and opinions. It is nice to know that there is help for any of these issues.

Randy
psacanli
535 posts
 
Stop worrying about equipment. You are experiencing the interaction of the power/polar response of your speakers with the surfaces of your room. To confirm simply take a square cushion approx 30 inches square from a sofa, support it at ear level, perpendicular to & adjoining the wall approximately 5 feet in front of the speaker on the side the image seems to come from. You will find the reduction in reflected sound will cure the problem. Once you are satisfied this is the case you can consider some 'more acceptable' ways of taming the reflection. Let me know your results,Pete.
rrcpa
37 posts
 
Such simple straight forward advice is what makes this forum great. Some things have complex answers so we come to expect everything to. It has been my experience that the simplest answer generally tends to be the best.

Thanks Pete!
maril555
619 posts
 
It's funny I stumbled upon this thread. Just a few days ago I realized I'm having the same problem: center image is slightly to the left- confirmed with mono recording and few listeners, other than myself. Everybody was absolutely certain.
I'm sure the problem is new, and I haven't changed anything in the system.
I have an inclination to blame my power amp. (BAT 75 SE), maybe one of the tubes is giving up.
What is the easiest way to check the output signal in both channels?, and what should I use for that purpose?
Please, help.
P.S. I haven't done any speakers swaps yet ( they are quite heavy).
newbee
4,767 posts
 
Yeh, check your tubes. A weak tube on the right side of your amp or pre-amp (whatever) could cause your problem.

I just had a comedy of sorts. I found my sound stage compressed as hell. I blamed the CD quality, etc and was dumbfounded by the change (because I hadn't analyized my system yet). Short version - I put in new tubes in my pre-amp - everything back to normal. This is the first time I've ever had tubes fail uniformly in both channels.
maril555
619 posts
 
Update: swapped two super tubes, everything is "back to center", go figure.
theaudiotweak
2,797 posts
 
Phase coherence or lack there of in just one channel could skew the image balance off to one side. This effect can be caused by either your electronics or an acoustic inbalance in your listening room {a variance in pressure}. Tom
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