tlniec
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2010
- Posts
- 115
- Likes
- 11
Quote:
OK, these phones are starting to drive me nuts. Earlier this week, I listened to a couple of hours of music, and was very happy with what I heard. The next day, I watched a Blu-Ray movie (Saving Private Ryan) and was highly impressed with sound quality/sound-stage/surround effect, but did notice that my old channel imbalance problem seemed to be creeping back (right was slightly, but noticeably, quieter than left). Last night, I listened to a concert Blu-Ray (Tom Petty), and the soundstage seemed constricted and the perception of channel imbalance was very noticeable. Finally, I played some Halo: Reach through them, and they sounded pretty much right again (but perhaps SLIGHTLY channel imbalanced).
I realize I've jumped quite a bit between sources here, both in terms of content and equipment. I can easily believe that the particular concert I watched was just recorded in such a way that the soundstage feels closed-in. What I have a harder time understanding is why the perception of a channel imbalance seems to come and go! It seems least noticeable when playing 2-channel music directly from my CD player or from an A/V receiver. Occasionally a bit noticeable when gaming with an XBox 360 thru an Astro MixAmp wireless. Just short of bothersome when watching a movie (DTS-HD MA soundtrack) with my Blu-Ray player into the Astro MixAmp. And downright annoying when watching a concert (also DTS-HD MA) with the same Blu-Ray player/MixAmp chain.
I did A/B between the AD700s and a cheapo pair of earbuds to see if the channel imbalance appeared to be caused by the source content or equipment, and it seemed that the channel imbalance went away with the earbuds (of course, sound quality was another matter). I'm starting to wonder if I need to return the pair I have and get a replacement...
Even just a day later, and things are already getting better. Not sure if it's a product of letting the phones "burn in" a bit (though only for a total of around 12 hours so far), or different music selection, but the left channel is already ceasing to overwhelm the right, and crunchy guitars are starting to sound more correct/present. I'm also starting to pick up previously unnoticed details some more (listened to all of The Fragile, left disc... beautiful). I think these are keepers for sure -- just can't let my wife see me with 'em on my head.
OK, these phones are starting to drive me nuts. Earlier this week, I listened to a couple of hours of music, and was very happy with what I heard. The next day, I watched a Blu-Ray movie (Saving Private Ryan) and was highly impressed with sound quality/sound-stage/surround effect, but did notice that my old channel imbalance problem seemed to be creeping back (right was slightly, but noticeably, quieter than left). Last night, I listened to a concert Blu-Ray (Tom Petty), and the soundstage seemed constricted and the perception of channel imbalance was very noticeable. Finally, I played some Halo: Reach through them, and they sounded pretty much right again (but perhaps SLIGHTLY channel imbalanced).
I realize I've jumped quite a bit between sources here, both in terms of content and equipment. I can easily believe that the particular concert I watched was just recorded in such a way that the soundstage feels closed-in. What I have a harder time understanding is why the perception of a channel imbalance seems to come and go! It seems least noticeable when playing 2-channel music directly from my CD player or from an A/V receiver. Occasionally a bit noticeable when gaming with an XBox 360 thru an Astro MixAmp wireless. Just short of bothersome when watching a movie (DTS-HD MA soundtrack) with my Blu-Ray player into the Astro MixAmp. And downright annoying when watching a concert (also DTS-HD MA) with the same Blu-Ray player/MixAmp chain.
I did A/B between the AD700s and a cheapo pair of earbuds to see if the channel imbalance appeared to be caused by the source content or equipment, and it seemed that the channel imbalance went away with the earbuds (of course, sound quality was another matter). I'm starting to wonder if I need to return the pair I have and get a replacement...