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Speakers versus Balance vs Amplifier

I’ve been leaning towards a Pass amp to try the magic of Class A but couldn’t commit to an amplifier without a “balance” adjustment. Love the reviews of the new Int-60. 
 

Yet, when I listen to my Mc 252 through my SF Olympia IIIs, I find the “balance” feature is NOT the same as moving my seating position to the midpoint on my loveseat. I always sit on the right side and try to “balance” the sound by increasing the left side volume. 

Should be good, right ?  Most definitely not !!

But, If I just shift my body 15” to the left, center if the of the loveseat, ALL manner of magic happens . . . the music and singer are now right in front of me . . . wide, deep, tall . . . amazing !  No sense of sound on the right or left . . .  mostly just right at me !

I cannot achieve this effect with the “balance” adjustment and I’ve been trying for 4+ years ! ! !

So, maybe I’ll try the Pass amp, forget the balance control and just sit in the middle!

And, yes, I’ve had the speakers and JL subs toed in, straight, toed out, baffles aimed inwards, aimed outwards, etc, etc, etc  

My seat is about 8’ back from the amp (in the center) with the speakers about 5’ to each side !

I guess Nelson knows “balance” adjustments controls just don’t get it . . . . center listening position does ! 

So, do others agree or am I just not smart enough to use the “balance” control feature.

All feedback welcome  BTW, tonight, 54 years since first listened to, I find the musicality of AquaLung still awesome !  The louder the better . . . being 72 still has its benefits . . especially when you’ve got the house to yourself !

Thanks for reading this ramble !

 

128x128teboerio
gregm
3,396 posts
 

No doubt, you’ve checked the speakers are equidistant from the seat & that the toe-in angles are identical.

In my case correcting a tiny difference (1 degree!) in the angle of the left speaker made an astonishing difference to the sonic coherence.

BTW, reading your message got me to play Aqualung again!

erik_squires
15,824 posts
 

You need better room acoustics.  Absorbers and diffusion on both sides will widen your sweet spot considerably.

newbee
4,751 posts
 

FWIW I find your findings reasonable except for your description of the soundstage when you are sitting 15" off center. When you are sitting 15" off center is the center of the image in front of you or does it remain centered between your speakers?

I think the balance control was designed more for use when you encountered a recording which was not balanced and just needed a small tweak. When I had one I never found it useful in correcting a set up issue. I don't really miss it now.

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