Unbalanced hearing

I have dealt with this since 2003, when I suffered sudden loss in my left ear when someone blew a party kazoo in my ear at point blank range (New Year's Eve). The first thing is to accept that stereo imaging will never be the same as what it was prior to the loss. No amount of speaker placement, EQ, volume configurations can replace what correct hearing provides. However, one can correct as much as possible for the imbalance with proper balance adjustments and EQ. I have used a Beringer EQ via a tape loop on my preamp to finely tune balance. I have been able to achieve a correct center image (completely impossible prior), but at the expense of increasing ALL left channel info. The right ear now hears excessive left channel info, thus destroying the overall stereo image. I can easily detect balance shifts as little as .5dB as they affect the center image, thus the Beringer, which has .5dB increments. I wish you luck, as this has been a bear for me.

Psag,

Yes, the Beringer allows independent level and EQ of each channel, and it really does help my situation considerably. I also found that if, for example, you need 3dB of boost for the left ear, you should decrease the right channel by 1.5dB and increase the left channel by 1.5dB. This way, your good ear (in my case, right) is not hearing a 3dB boost in left channel information. I have 4 saved settings to accommodate a 1.5dB, 2dB, 2.5dB, and 3dB balance shift. I find that vocal recordings or anything with a clear center image requires 3dB, while I can get away with one of the other settings for orchestral or jazz. I find that even a slight change can make all the difference between enjoying listening and saying to hell with it. You can get the Beringers for a good price ($225-$250 used or a little more new), and they are very effective and completely transparent in my system.

Psag,

I suggest the Ultracurve. It has a 31-band per channel EQ as well as programmable settings. I think it might suit your needs better than the 1502, though it is a little more expensive.