2. cables
  3. 172431-82539

Position of speaker cables and irregular behavior

 I move my speakers around a lot, experiment with placement, also move a few different sets in/out of rotation.  Reason:  I have a persistent problem in that my left speaker is dominant. Playing in mono the image is centered about 2 feet left of center. In stereo, not only are vocals shifted left, the right side just doesn’t carry the same level of volume , soundstage and depth. 

Equipment: Bryston 7b monoblocks, Bryston pre, Opp BDP105, Grover Huffman Empress speaker cables, Siltech xlr interconnects.

I have swapped/reversed every single component to try isolating a culprit. No luck.

Although there are differences in left/right side walls in the room, the parts that matter ( reflection points ) are basically the same.

my speaker cables are 8ft so I have about 3-4 ft of excess. When I move the cables around it affects the dominance to either lessen or exaggerate to the left.  Sometimes I get close to almost centering the image , when that happens the right side blooms open. But it lasts a few hours or days and then I’m back to playing with speaker and cable placement.  I’ve suspended the cables off the floor , sometimes helps temporarily. 

I have tried adjusting the balance on the preamp . that makes the volume equal but not the brilliance of music which remains duller on the right.

There are even times when I’m listening to a song and as I’m listening the image shifts either more to left or more to center.  I thought it might be a sound pressure issue in my room, then I move the speaker cables and it gets better....for a while.

its not my hearing, when I attend audio exhibitions or meets the sound is equal.

I have moved my speaker cables so many times, like bending a wire hanger back and forth, they eventually broke. Grover huffman was kind enough to repair my speaker cables...twice.. Have some bending going on to fasten on binding posts. 

I sprayed Deoxit on all connections, that didn’t make a difference.

i routed all power cords neatly and away from speaker cables.

I’m thinking of getting 4ft speaker cables so that I have a straight run. Otherwise I’m out of ideas.

any help?

 

 

jacksky

Showing 5 responses by jacksky

jacksky OP
100 posts
 

Ghdprentice; I switched L with Right speaker. 

I swapped the tower speaker (Thiel CS5) and put Egglestonworks Andras in place. 

Now have Martin Logan Monoliths - this didn’t help.

MC; I have 2 other sets of speaker cables, I’ll try those. I’ll even try reversing direction one at a time.

holmz: I don’t understand what you mean by playing speaker singularly and using REW, can you explain?  I will try taming reflection one side at a time at the usual mirror spot side wall. Regarding rear wall reflection behind speaker, these are planers, I think they are supposed to utilize that reflected sound, not deaden it. But I’m game, I’ll try it.

jacksky OP
100 posts
 

Ok, lots to do today:

clean cable terminations with Flitz

try an alternate set of cables

SPL test each speaker ( someone please recommend an ap I can load on my android Galaxy phone)

get my ears flushed and tested (Dec 3 so results will have to wait on that one)

Regarding room symmetry, 15x22. With speakers at front and sitting position at rear: front wall is solid bare Sheetrock. Right wall is solid with large centered window. Left wall first 4 ft is solid, then 7ft opening to adjacent room then solid to rear. Rear wall is almost completely open to adjacent room.  Floor is wood with large area rug.

i will do a walk around to measure differences.

jacksky OP
100 posts
 

sorry, a little delay in getting back tot he nice folks that took time to offer help...

I thought it best to be methodical in carrying out changes so I decided to start at back end. switch left/right speakers, then cables, and so on.

first think I learned is that I am not as limber as I used to be, its a pain bending and doing things with 2 hands that could use 3 or 4.

before touching anything I tried self testing my hearing so I listened to familiar music on headphones. image is balanced and centered.  then I listened to my system warts and all as is, nearfield. then I turned around to listen with my back to the speakers. image, brightness and intensity is consistently skewed left.

I don't think its my hearing. 

I physically switched L/R speaker positions. image still centered left.

I physically switched L/R speaker cables. Image still centered left.

tomorrow I will switch L/R monoblock amps followed by interconnects.

ya know, this kinda stuff can drive a person crazy.  when I moved the speakers I noticed the right (weak one) is a little wobbly, started turning the foot screws. I coulda sworn it made a little difference....then nah, just wishing.

 

jacksky OP
100 posts
 

Ahah!,,,,

I swapped every conceivable...

switched every permutable.....

flipped pos/neg , reversed flow... AND THEN:

switched the speakers again. Sound field moved to opposite side!

shook all connecting items, and then shook the speaker.

darn it! The wire going to the electrostatic panel is LOOSE.

i can now get it to shift to one side or balance to the center by giving a light push at the base of the ESL panel.

I am sooooooo relieved.  This process took me, maybe14-16 hours of fussin’.

I CAN deal with this. I have real options (resolder connection, get new panels, wedge a dime in there...)

many thanks to all that nudged me along and a very happy holiday season.

 

jacksky OP
100 posts
 

I haven’t used cable risers but I did try suspending the cables off the ground.

 One lift point at edges of audio stand was enough to lift entire cables off floor. I didn’t notice a difference. I’m willing to try it again using wood blocks , if it helps I’ll get proper lifts.

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