But there is no “flat.” The recording is the idiosyncratic tonal balance subjectively determined by the recording engineer. When we play something back flat –– with no tone controls –– all we are doing is hearing and implicitly blessing the subjective recording decisions of the engineer. There is no “true neutral” to be reproduced.
Rather than a balance control I like the totally independent left channel and right channel attenuator method (e.g., Lamm, Aesthetix).
Speakers should never be released if they differ from one another
Speakers should never be released if they differ from one another
I agree, but then there would be only good speakers in the audio marketplace.
I agree, but then there would be only good speakers in the audio marketplace.
Agreed. Some do say that you can adjust balance by moving one speaker back or forward if there's a mismatch induced by acoustics (I've even read a manufacturer's manual stating as such), but in my experience it is best if the sound waves from both speakers hit you at the same time. If they don't, that may affect perceived dynamics, among others (perhaps I am deluded about that, but this is my limited experience). I always use laser measurements for distance.
The center phantom image should be rock solid. Correct speaker placement in my experience is very important and the clarity level of the system helps greatly. Lot's of work to optimize everything but well worth it.
Heh and then there would be no debates and no forums
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