Does balance keep the overall volume the same?

Posted by: Consciousmess on 26 May 2018

Is it just as straightforward as lowering one speaker volume and raising the other? I ask as I presently have my daughter sleeping on me, my head is forced to the side and so I counteract with the balance.

But when I put the sound towards the centre again the overall volume seems to rise.

(Maybe I’ve got too much time on my hands to ask inane questions!)

Posted on: 26 May 2018 by Pedro

Quite possibly.

Posted on: 26 May 2018 by packerman

A balance control normally does not include any amplification. It reduces left or right volume without increasing the other so overall with left and right together you have less volume when the balance control is not central.

Ian

Posted on: 26 May 2018 by Consciousmess

Thanks Ian

Posted on: 27 May 2018 by joerand

A (free) decibel meter app would be an easy way to solve the question. As Ian said, the balance is a volume attenuator, so you'll get less when you go from center.

Posted on: 27 May 2018 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Consciousmess, there could be varied reasons, however if your daughter is sleeping on you I guess the volume must be pretty low??? But with normal listening levels room reflections can be different from left and right speakers providing a degree of variation from each speaker other than simply from the balance control.

Posted on: 27 May 2018 by Consciousmess

Thanks for the info Simon in Suffolk. As it happens, the daughter sleeps through anything. Enter Sandman at 9 O’Clock (volume) is an example!

Makes me wonder at what age others’ loud music annoys us??

Posted on: 28 May 2018 by joerand

Consciousmess posted:
the daughter sleeps through anything. Enter Sandman at 9 O’Clock (volume) is an example!

Pat Boone's or Metallica's version?