Thank you for the old ears advice. I'll try it.
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Erik, I'll try that first. |
I'm sorry to keep bugging you, but... I'm still unclear where it goes in the system. Right before the amp as a preamp? So I'd plug-in my receiver D2 to it and then output from it into the amp?
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I just tried sitting backwards. Bingo!
What can I do if it's my ears?
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For now, I found a way to widen the distance between the speakers. Barring kids and pets visiting--unlikely these days--they should be okay/safe from harm. Then I matched the distance from the speakers to the listening post as best I could. By necessity, one speaker could be exactly right, but the predominant-sounding side had to be 6 inches farther. It's not worth explaining why beyond fixed wood stove, side wall, no wall at all, intervening door, etc.
I figured what the hell, let's try it. So I experimented with toe-in next. Lots of toe-in gave me a strong, equally heard center but a narrow soundstage and a loss of airiness that I didn't care for. I switched to no toe-in, which hadn't worked previously, and lo and behold,I heard a distinct improvement in soundstage with no loss in any other dept. I had to wriggle my seating around a bit to make it work.
I'm happy for now. Someday I'll see how much better my system can sound by trying some of the things posters have suggested. Thanks to all. I really appreciate your help. I wish I could be more helpful to others here, but I guess I find a way to do it in non-audiophile realms. |
I'm still hoping someone has ideas about how to adjust for unequal hearing. I guess I was trying to that when I toed-in the less prominent side.
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Elliot. Never mind. I found a close-up of the remote and there was the balance control, allaying my insecurity. Do you know this will work with my system? I'd like to get one if it does.
Details: Deezer and Qobuz to Mac to Audioengine D2 DAC via USB to wireless D2 receiver to MFA308 integrated amp via RCA to ATCs. Where would it go in that chain? Do I have the right inputs, etc? Remember, I'm an idiot who needs basic instruction.
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Elliot, when I read about the remote controller, I don't see anything about balance. Otherwise, I'm intrigued. |
Erik, are you suggesting that I try narrowing the distance between my speakers or changing the toe in? I'm not sure I understand. As y'all can gather, I'm much less versed in all this than most people here.
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Yogiboy (an intriguing name): I didn't realize there were limitations with an integrated vs separates. Or is it just my amp in particular? |
How much do you have to spend to get an EQ with balance that doesn't mess the sound up? If I go that route, I won't want spend a lot.
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Thanks, Russ. I think my best bet to start with--one that costs $0 and entails the least inconvenience as an experiment-- is to keep playing with speaker and seating position.
I wish I could employ room treatment or switch to another room or buy expensive equipment to fix things, but right now, none of that is practical. For that matter, how about a miracle cure for minor hearing loss? Or a lottery win?
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I just looked at the Schiit a few minutes ago. $150 to run an experiment is doable, but EQ only.
If I recall, I'm using the tape hookup to hear the TV.
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Thanks for great suggestions. More details: it's not the amp--no problem with different speakers. Equilateral distances and height and rear wall distance all the same. One rear wall is a thin layer of veneered plywood, the other is plywood backed by the metal frame of a large oven. I have one speaker toed-in more than the other, which helps vs hinders the problem That one is facing a wall of angled picture windows across a shorter distance than the other one. which faces more complex, longer angles. The high ceiling above them is slanted differentially too. I could hardly draw a room map, it's so complex.
My source(s) are the same as before when I had my old speakers-- the weak spot in my chain. But why would they suddenly worsen the moment I set up the ATCs? And I totally trust the wonderful guy I bought the speakers from. They worked impeccably in his system.
The volume from speaker to speaker is consistent. It feels like a romm/placement deal.
Of course I'll check out all the things y'all have mentioned, as well as the products/devices.
It definitely could be my ears. I'm 68 and I know I hear a bit better in one ear than the other. It didn't occur to me that this could affect soundstage. It's just something i'm used to.
I'll check connections. I did have trouble with one of the terminals on one of the speakers originally, It was very fussy.
I can't help thinking it's at least partially things about my room that are more unfriendly to the newer speakers. They're closed boxes and the KEFs were rear ported. Maybe this makes a difference? I would think it would help with a difficult room. Any more simple placement ideas? Maybe something counterintuitive?
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Yeah, switching speaker connects didn't change things, and a DB reading said they're the same in volume.
Hearing aids, huh? You youngsters...
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I probably wasn't clear earlier, but I'm happy now that I repositioned things--an obvious improvement. |
Thank you, Elliot. I really appreciate this. |
Larry, I've been using various familiar tracks. Are there specific tests? How would noise help?
I improved things by eliminating toe-out and playing around with the dimensions of everything until the soundstage extended most of the way on the short end without wrecking the center. It's not perfect, but I'm happy with it. The room is so ridiculous, i can't expect perfection. |
