Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo A/B-ing speakers

Forgive me for a potentially stupid question, but I don't have a switch for A/B-ing speakers so when I was testing the M60s and M22s side-by-side, I had to continually swtich the wires (and I didn't have banana plugs to make it easy).

What would be the problem with hooking, say the left channel to one M60 and the right channel to an M22? Maybe also switching to a mono mode to make sure the same signal was going to both?

I don't see a problem with that, assuming the equipment you have them hooked up to has discreet amps.

Right, psych, no technical problem at all. In fact it's sometimes suggested that it's better to compare speakers in mono to get a better idea of tonal differences, if any, between them, which might be more apparent in mono. One further point would be that since the M60s are slightly more sensitive, the balance control should be adjusted slightly to the M22 side(i.e.when listening to the M60 alone, the control shouldn't be all the way over) so as to equalize the volume. A speaker(or any other component)which is even slightly louder is often credited with being better. Of course, the speakers should be placed in positions as acoustically similar as possible, since variation in positions can also affect volume and frequency response.

Yeah, but obviously, mono listening will NOT give you any info with regard to the imaging and soundstaging performance of these speakers. I believe that a basic A/B switch box would be a very good investment for you -- I seem to remember that Craig (spiffnme) got one for $30-40.

Yep...just drop by your local radio shack. I think it was closer to $20-30. It makes A/B'ing speakers a joy.

damn, I wish I had thought of that before, or had picked up one of the switches. of course, I think if I had asked my wife if it was ok to spend even another $20 when I was already upgrading from the 22s to the 60s (after already spending what she considered a ridiculous amount of money on a system) would have sent her over the edge.

thanks all.

$20.00 is cheapier than a case of good beer!

In reply to:

---

...would have sent her over the edge.

---

For $20??? GROW A SACK** and remind her that she isn't going to micromanage you!


**courtesy of Semi_On.

Beer and cahones already? After so few posts? Apparently, the only things missing from this thread are some power tools and sports references.

Well, I started with an approved "budget" for the entire HT system. When I listed the equipment I wanted, the cost went a little beyond the budget. "But, Pumpkin, I got all this great equipment at a local dealer's moving sale and I got it for such great prices I just COULDN'T pass it up!" (she said she could have passed it up). Of course, I somehow forgot to mention that I would also need cables/wires, a rack, etc. She wasn't happy with that and she never even saw the receipts so she really doesn't know the total cost of all those. Then she saw the SPL meter one day and then the AVIA disk so I had to explain those. Then, I was somehow able to convince her that we really should have floor-standers instead of bookshelf speakers on stands. At some point along that series of purchases, I think I had to surrender my "sac" to her in exchange for her 'ok'. I just didn't have anything else to barter with, even for $20. (oh, and I surrendered the parts that usually go with the sac, long ago for a third car, that z3 coupe).

Of course, she also hasn't noticed how our DVD collection has been slowly, but consistently growing...

Are you sure she hasn't noticed? Perhaps she's choosing her battles and saving her disapproval for a GIANT SMACK-DOWN in the near future.

That's exactly what I was thinking. Believe me, she's noticed.

Any questions?

huh?

Ive got it easy when i compare speakers, my amp has remote a/b speaker switching so i can be sitting in the sweet sopt and instatly change the speakers back and fourth with the push of a button

oh yea... so does mine. doh!

ok, nevermind.

She really did that to you? Yikes! That thing gives me the willies!

Oh man, you got to be kidding ???? hahaha.. LOL...!!
Don't feel bad, I can't count how many times I've done this:
Holding tape measure in right hand, reaching arcoss to left, running out tape, having to read the figures that are now upside down.. (say 75 inches).. Then, going over to the saw and cutting the piece at 57 inches !!! DOHHHHHH !!!

Peter, notice the two BIG GROWN sacks? It is HE!!!

I though you were telling us that your wife has one of those in your house, and that is where you had to sacrifice to get your speakers.

Seriously, though. I thought those were feet!

Hmmm, I don't remember seeing the tanuki spirit anywhere in "Spirited Away"?