Speaker selector boxes ... Do they effect the sound?

[theplantguy]

Am thinking of getting a speaker selector box but was wondering how they might color the sound. What is your experience with them?

 

[FantasySage]

Most of the cheap ones are going to have crappy internal connections. If I really needed one, I would hit up parts express and built one myself.

 

[theplantguy]

what about the better ones in the $100-$200 range? wasn't thinking of a rat shack $10 one.

 

[thedelihaus]

Even some of the $100-$200 models will degrade sound somewhat.

It's dependent on your ears, room and system as to how much.

Check specs- some models feature an advanced "bypass" that routes one set of speakers very direct with minimal bunk to clutter up the sound.

 

[kneeOhFight]

My Adcom GFS-3 has virtually no effect on speaker sound..I have some sensitive speakers connected, too..Kirksaeter Scala's, DCM Time Window 1's, and my little Infinity RS 3.25's....I was on the lookout for problems, but, then again, I went with the little Adcom unit so I wouldn't be creating a problem for myself :thmbsp:

 

[Freezer7Pro]

I don't see how a relay or switch would effect the sound in any noticeable way as long as it isn't made out of iron.

 

[harleyfatboy]

I use 2 of them..for 2 different locations..I bought used ones off ebay...so although they were probably around $150-$200 new, I got them for around $40....

I can't tell any effect they have on the sound..speakers sound same to me with or without the speaker selector...

 

[thedelihaus]

I don't see how a relay or switch would effect the sound in any noticeable way as long as it isn't made out of iron.

More stuff in the path. Also circuitry to change load.

Usually it's nominal, if at all noticeable. Becomes more an issue with higher-up gear.


Ever activate the "bypass" switch (bypasses tone controls and filters) on your pre-amp? I have, on my PSE, B&K, Holman, Philips and Sansui CA-2000, and the sound becomes nominally, but noticeably improved.

Less stuff in the signal path.

 

[anytune]

I use an Adcom router in one system and a Niles in another. Both work well and I can't hear any difference.

 

[soundweasel]

I'm using a Niles right now with no noticeable impact.

I'm only running one pair of speakers at a time so perhaps I'd hear a difference if I were running several pairs simultaneously. :scratch2:

Anyway, it's much easier than crawling around behind my gear stack to add or remove speakers. :yes:

 

[gearhound]

I'm using an ADCOM GFS-3 also, because it has a dedicated headphone jack, that my system lacks.
BUT.....the ADCOM unit I have, does NOT have multiple use binding posts.
What you see, is what you get.
IF.....you can live with that, it is actually a VERY good unit for the money.


Steve

 

[Freezer7Pro]

More stuff in the path. Also circuitry to change load.

Usually it's nominal, if at all noticeable. Becomes more an issue with higher-up gear.


Ever activate the "bypass" switch (bypasses tone controls and filters) on your pre-amp? I have, on my PSE, B&K, Holman, Philips and Sansui CA-2000, and the sound becomes nominally, but noticeably improved.

Less stuff in the signal path.

The difference is that those switches bypass active (as in "there-to-alter-sound") components. A switch box is just like a speaker connector, a piece of metal that connects and disconnects stuff. It can be compared to the bypass switch itself.

 

[marqueemoon]

Just curious, but any possibility of amp or speaker damage with a failure?

 

[whoaru99]

Any time you add complexity there is increased risk of failure.

With any failure there is the possibility of cascading damage.

That said, a box with some wires and switches is a relatively inert device.

Impedance matching switchers have more parts but, IMO, may present less risk overall. You would be less likely to expose the amp to risk of damage from low impedance because of too many speakers in parallel.

The greatest risk, IMO, is the possibility of getting some wires crossed/shorted when you hook it up.

 

[Fred Sanford]

There have been lots and lots of threads on this subject here at AK, search around a bit for hundreds of opinions.

I have an Adcom and a Niles and one of the cheap $10 Rat Shacks, and have installed many dozens more in people's systems. I've always heard a difference myself, usually in high freq loss or reduction in stereo imaging. It's the price you pay for the convenience. I only use mine for testing or for outdoor speakers, where I'm not as concerned with quality.

There's a few threads here where I outlined some measurements I took with the selectors in & out of the circuit, maybe I'll find them again & link them. Hopefully some day this subject can become a sticky...

Keep in mind that if the selector is a load-protecting/volume controlling/multiple amp input box, you're sending the signal through multiple switches and components before it hits the speakers. Some brands out there also common the "-" side, so beware if you have an amp that doesn't play nice with that.

ProCo makes a nice pro-grade switcher, but it's for listening to one pair of speakers at a time, not multiples (control room/mixing use).

je

 

[no1maestro]

I have had good luck with Adcom, Niles and Sonance. The Sonance is really a re-badged Niles for all practical purposes. The Adcoms I use are for the six sets of speakers. When running one pair at a time, there is no audible change. The only time I can hear a small difference is when three or four sets are running and the protection button is depressed. This obviously switches in more electronics in order to keep the ohms within range. There is a slightly lowered volume level and a high frequency dip. Outside of that, I have had no problems.

 

[Fred Sanford]

Here's one of the old threads:

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=186833&highlight=selector

je