Testing that speakers in phase?
 

Could someone remind me of the simple test involving placing 'left'
and 'right' speakers close together facing each other please? Am I
right in recalling that they are in correct 'phase' when the volume
sounds reduced/muffled? Or is it the reverse?

(I have some cable extensions to do on the speakers that came with my
new PC, and both wires are identical, so I want to be sure I get it
right.)

--
Terry, East Grinstead, UK

Testing that speakers in phase?
 

Terry Pinnell wrote:
Could someone remind me of the simple test involving placing 'left'
and 'right' speakers close together facing each other please? Am I
right in recalling that they are in correct 'phase' when the volume
sounds reduced/muffled? Or is it the reverse?

(I have some cable extensions to do on the speakers that came with my
new PC, and both wires are identical, so I want to be sure I get it
right.)

Woolly bass & an ill defined stereo image means they're out of phase,
solid bass & a clearly defined image means they're in phase. If your amp
has a mono switch, use it, & the sound should be stable & seem to be
central between the speakers. If the sound's woolly and/or diffused,
swap the phase on one speaker, & if it sounds better, it's now right.

They don't need to be close to each other, the test works with them in
their normal position.

If you can get one easily, there are sampler CDs with test tones & such
on them for 15 pounds or less from HMV or other record stores, & all
these have a phase test on them.

--
Tciao for Now!

John.

Testing that speakers in phase?
 

"Terry Pinnell" wrote in message
...
Could someone remind me of the simple test involving placing 'left'
and 'right' speakers close together facing each other please? Am I
right in recalling that they are in correct 'phase' when the volume
sounds reduced/muffled? Or is it the reverse?

(I have some cable extensions to do on the speakers that came with my
new PC, and both wires are identical, so I want to be sure I get it
right.)


Use the balance control to go from one extreme to the other. If the bass is
strong when one speaker is playing, but appears to drop away when centre
balanced, one of them is the wrong way around.

ss.

Testing that speakers in phase?
 

Terry Pinnell wrote:
Could someone remind me of the simple test involving placing 'left'
and 'right' speakers close together facing each other please? Am I
right in recalling that they are in correct 'phase' when the volume
sounds reduced/muffled? Or is it the reverse?

(I have some cable extensions to do on the speakers that came with my
new PC, and both wires are identical, so I want to be sure I get it
right.)


In reasonably decent room, you should be able to tell without moving
the speakers; if you can't, the room needs fixing.

Play a mono signal, and what you should hear is a sharply defined image
dead centre between the speakers. If you can't locate it with your eyes
closed, the speakers are probably out of phse.

If you are still unsure, then put the speakers face to face. If the
phase is wrong, the volume you hear will be severely reduced, and bass
almost non-existent.

d

Testing that speakers in phase?
 

In article , Terry Pinnell
writes
Could someone remind me of the simple test involving placing 'left'
and 'right' speakers close together facing each other please? Am I
right in recalling that they are in correct 'phase' when the volume
sounds reduced/muffled? Or is it the reverse?

(I have some cable extensions to do on the speakers that came with my
new PC, and both wires are identical, so I want to be sure I get it
right.)

The pink noise tests here (with downloadable tones) should do the job:
http://www.eminent-tech.com/music/multimediatest.html
--
fred
Plusnet - I hope you like vanilla

Testing that speakers in phase?
 

"John Williamson" wrote in message
...
Terry Pinnell wrote:
Could someone remind me of the simple test involving placing 'left'
and 'right' speakers close together facing each other please? Am I
right in recalling that they are in correct 'phase' when the volume
sounds reduced/muffled? Or is it the reverse?

(I have some cable extensions to do on the speakers that came with my
new PC, and both wires are identical, so I want to be sure I get it
right.)

Woolly bass & an ill defined stereo image means they're out of phase,
solid bass & a clearly defined image means they're in phase. If your
amp has a mono switch, use it, & the sound should be stable & seem to
be central between the speakers. If the sound's woolly and/or
diffused, swap the phase on one speaker, & if it sounds better, it's
now right.

They don't need to be close to each other, the test works with them in
their normal position.

If you can get one easily, there are sampler CDs with test tones &
such on them for 15 pounds or less from HMV or other record stores, &
all these have a phase test on them.

--


Maplin do (did) a very good one for about £16 - including a Chieftan
tank firing and a jet flying down a valley. Knockout!


--
Woody

harrogate three at ntlworld dot com

Testing that speakers in phase?
 

In article ,
Terry Pinnell wrote:
Could someone remind me of the simple test involving placing 'left'
and 'right' speakers close together facing each other please? Am I
right in recalling that they are in correct 'phase' when the volume
sounds reduced/muffled? Or is it the reverse?

If you've got radio on the PC check a male announcer on R4 - he should
appear to come from exactly between the speakers like there was just one
in the middle. Helps if you can switch to mono.
Or place the two speakers face to face touching one another. Change the
phase of one to incorrect. Bass should disappear.

--
*Sleep with a photographer and watch things develop

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Testing that speakers in phase?
 

Terry Pinnell wrote:
(I have some cable extensions to do on the speakers that came with my
new PC, and both wires are identical, so I want to be sure I get it
right.)


You need to ensure that cables to similar speakers are exactly the same
length - a millimeter out could completely ruin the phase relationship
and affect hearing. Also if marked with any directional indications -
those indications followed to the letter, or the electrons will cause
localised heating in the amplifier which may be a potential fire risk if
left unattended.

--
Adrian C

Testing that speakers in phase?
 

"Terry Pinnell" wrote in message
...
Could someone remind me of the simple test involving placing 'left'
and 'right' speakers close together facing each other please? Am I
right in recalling that they are in correct 'phase' when the volume
sounds reduced/muffled? Or is it the reverse?

(I have some cable extensions to do on the speakers that came with my
new PC, and both wires are identical, so I want to be sure I get it
right.)

--
Terry, East Grinstead, UK


I'd use an electrical meter (or light bulb and battery) to work out which
wire was which.


--
Michael Chare

Testing that speakers in phase?
 

"Michael Chare" wrote:

"Terry Pinnell" wrote in message
.. .
Could someone remind me of the simple test involving placing 'left'
and 'right' speakers close together facing each other please? Am I
right in recalling that they are in correct 'phase' when the volume
sounds reduced/muffled? Or is it the reverse?

(I have some cable extensions to do on the speakers that came with my
new PC, and both wires are identical, so I want to be sure I get it
right.)

--
Terry, East Grinstead, UK


I'd use an electrical meter (or light bulb and battery) to work out which
wire was which.

I marked one of the two identical black wires with spots of Tippex,
about 2 cm apart. So, when cutting and inserting an extension pair, I
could be sure I preserved the original status. To my untrained ear
they sound OK, but I will get around to a more rigorous test later.

BTW, I've found that some software doesn't play the rear speakers in
this 5.1 configuration.

--
Terry, East Grinstead, UK