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Balance Knobs- who actually use it?

I certainly don't want to use the balance adjustment after spending a bunch of time dialing in the azimuth and anti-skate on my tonearm. Complicating things is the balance control doesn't have a detent to get back to a reference.
 
Running zero on the balance on a stereo is akin to flying an airplane with no trim tabs and no trim dialed in. The airplane would need to be aerodynamically perfect, and loaded exactly balanced on its CG which would not only be nice to fly but also be at its peak efficiency. This of course never actually happens. Either the pilot holds the plane true in flight or adjusts trim..
 
I use mine due to my listening space which is a large open living/dining/office are. The right speaker has a loveseat to the side of it which affects the imaging along with the asymmetrical shape of the room. From my usual listening spot, a setting of about 12:30 centers the image perfectly. It bothers me a little that I have to use it, but I'd rather have a proper image! I'm lucky enough my wife allows speakers of such magnitude in our living room so I'm not about to ask her to rearrange the house for them so I can get my balance knob centered.
 
My mono blocs have level controls on them and I believe they are not set correctly so, yes I use the balance control. Also not all connected devices have equal output on each channel, so a balance control would be sorely missed
 
Its obvious he does't listen to that much analog. During the days of LP the balance control was always needed. Today I must admit things are better. Also back in the old days when conventional ganged pots were used they were so in accurate you most definitely needed a balance control. I for got to look at his equipment list but if he is using point source speakers instead of horns or line arrays the speakers imaging and staging isn't accurate anyway and the balance control may not be needed.
 
twiiii said:
Its obvious he does't listen to that much analog. During the days of LP the balance control was always needed. Today I must admit things are better. Also back in the old days when conventional ganged pots were used they were so in accurate you most definitely needed a balance control. I for got to look at his equipment list but if he is using point source speakers instead of horns or line arrays the speakers imaging and staging isn't accurate anyway and the balance control may not be needed.
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The ganged pots on my late 60's amp are slightly misaligned. And you're right, it's pretty common in older gear. I was a little worried when I first discovered this, but the balance pot is indeed there for a reason. Nothing wrong with the amp, and nothing wrong with balancing it out.
 
i think its essential. my friend used it like the fine focus on an SLR camera, when he got it right it was uncannily more real. it would pop into focus just like THAT.
 
My main system I don't, but the system in the reck room has four speakers up on stands and to get the sweet spot right so I can't tell where the sound is coming from actually takes a bit of adjustment !
 
The only unit I ever owned that needed the balance adjusted on was a Mcintosh MX110 tubed pre. Every other pre I've owned stays centered. But the balance function certainly is handy when a problem arises
 
I used balance control way back in the college dorm days when I was forced into odd speaker and seating arrangements. It really helps to "balance the sound".

Today I have a dedicated 2 channel listening room so that problem is solved. I don't have balance or tone controls on my current preamp and really don't miss them.
 
If I was using really old equipment, yes I could see the need to balance out the system due to the old pots that where mechanically in accurate when new anyway. The unit as a whole can have other issues with age that shift the true balance as well.

But with newer equipment with digital micro processors for controls, fresh mono blocks and stereo power amps. Having a sweet spot to sit, proper table setup and a fully balanced system there is really no need. However my system has one if the seating needs to change.

But maybe the next time someone wants to mention how the quality of 40 year old equipment is not beat today should think about advancements in audio. Even 20 year old equipment will perform better till it gets older and older.
 
In my living room system (where my wife determined where the speakers go) I use the balance all the time depending on the recording. Other systems, I don't touch it. I'm glad they put one in there, and I don't wire it out because of it's usefulness.
 
4-2-7 said:
If I was using really old equipment, yes I could see the need to balance out the system due to the old pots that where mechanically in accurate when new anyway. The unit as a whole can have other issues with age that shift the true balance as well.

But with newer equipment with digital micro processors for controls, fresh mono blocks and stereo power amps. Having a sweet spot to sit, proper table setup and a fully balanced system there is really no need. However my system has one if the seating needs to change.

But maybe the next time someone wants to mention how the quality of 40 year old equipment is not beat today should think about advancements in audio. Even 20 year old equipment will perform better till it gets older and older.
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Even as a user of nearly 50 year old equipment, I'll agree with that. It's all been restored of course and was very nice when released, but it won't best TOTL modern equipment as far as performance goes. I still think my older gear provides excellent value versus comparably performing modern pieces, but it clearly wouldn't beat a brand-spanking-new Mac setup or the like.
 
ChefE said:
My stereo receiver has a balance knob. That one has a balance slider. That one has a dial.
Do I use them? No.
Yes. Sometimes I use 'balance' control to test each side for sound. Then it goes back to the middle position for the remainder of its life without use. It's not like today I'll just play the left just because I can and tell the right "your not on right, ha ha."
Who actually use in their system the balance control aside it's integral function?
Just curious.
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I use it because the circumstances of the room require one speaker to be closer to me than the other. I adjust the balance to make the sound appear to come from the middle. This makes balance controls rather important to me.
 
bberkom said:
Even as a user of nearly 50 year old equipment, I'll agree with that. It's all been restored of course and was very nice when released,
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Well everything can get restored to a point. I'v always think about that when someone says their stuff is restored and just as good as new. Well only some things are changed in the unit and most of the mechanicals are just cleaned, cleaning doesn't fix ware. All old mechanical switches ware and get faulty functions, bleed though, faint contact, let alone power supplies and transformers.

My point was when I first thought about the question and said who needs a balance control. Then twiiil brought up old pots, it hit me when I used to have predominantly very old equipment, in that case it's needed.
 
ChefE said:
My stereo receiver has a balance knob. That one has a balance slider. That one has a dial.
Do I use them? No.
Yes. Sometimes I use 'balance' control to test each side for sound. Then it goes back to the middle position for the remainder of its life without use. It's not like today I'll just play the left just because I can and tell the right "your not on right, ha ha."
Who actually use in their system the balance control aside it's integral function?
Just curious.
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The only reason I use mine is the same as you, or to dial in the imaging for one side to the other one by one. But yes your right, it gets moved a few times an that's it for the rest of its life. But hey it's just one more nice silver shiny knob to look at right!? Lol
 
4-2-7 said:
But maybe the next time someone wants to mention how the quality of 40 year old equipment is not beat today should think about advancements in audio. Even 20 year old equipment will perform better till it gets older and older.
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True enough to a point. New hi tech stuff is really a modern day miracle except for the rare times when it fails and replacement parts are not made or obtainable any longer. My 40+ year old Kenwood 700 separates are still balancing perfectly after a rebuild from EchoWars and I suspect they will continue until I am in the grave and someone in the inheritance chain will either garage sale all this "old worthless junk" or discover a real treasure..
 
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If you play vinyl you will experience LP's that do not have equal channel balance. This is obvious. All one need do is listen. It only takes 1dB or so to throw off a soundstage.
 
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