Got a new hifi recently (Panasonic PMX92) for my home office. Very nice little unit, decent sound, connectivity, etc and generally very happy with it. However, it appears that in what I can only assume is a means of keeping the cost down, they have completely omitted any way of controlling the balance - there's no physical control and there's no menu option available either (I even checked with Panasonic support and they confirmed this). The way I have it set up, the sound comes slightly from the right when I'm sat in my chair; with my old hifi, I simply tweaked the balance slightly to the left and hey presto, problem solved. However, as it seems it's not physically possible to do that with my new hifi, I'm left with lopsided sound.

 

I can't move where the speakers are and I don't have the space (or, if I'm honest, the inclination) to start faffing around with reflective panels and all that stuff. 

 

What I'm wondering is whether it's possible to fit a DIY balance control? Is that possible? Has anyone ever done this or have any idea how it would be done? Tbh if it's a whole heap of work and hassle, then I may end up just having to lump it and put up with lopsided sound, but I thought I'd at least check it out...

50 minutes ago, slicendice said:

a DIY balance control? Is that possible?

Well, I've never heard of a simple balance control as a DIY addon. I have heard of an add-on graphic equaliser that could offer the functionality you discuss, but I'm not sure you have the space for one from what you say.

If you were using a phone as a source then you could adjust the balance in the phone, or if it was something plugged into an analogue input you could buy a third party balance control that adjust levels pre your amp. Otherwise, I guess you would have to load up the louder speaker which isn't ideal as adjusting high level outputs isn't a great way to do things 😞 

Just had a weird thought. It isn't ideal and it's a bodge at best but.....

 

If you took a line level output, or failing that, the headphone output but turned down quite low, you could run it through a small intermediate device with a balance control and reinsert it into the line level input of the amp. It might work if the headphone socket doesn't defeat the loudspeaker output when a jack is inserted. I realise it isn't exactly high end hifi to do this, but if it's just for easy listening in a home office it might well suffice. Something like this, although it looks to be unbalanced which again isn't ideal. With a bit of hunting about I'm sure you could find something (if only Maplins still existed)

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-AMP800-Channel-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B000KU87SM/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=line+level+input+balance+control&qid=1580137547&refinements=p_36%3A138894031&rnid=389035011&s=electronics&sr=1-5

 

or even this, which might be better if a little cumbersome

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/behringer-502-Behringer-Xenyx-mixer/dp/B000J5UEGQ?ref_=ast_sto_dp

 

beringer kit is much better than it used to be, just keeps levels down to protect headroom  

Edited 27 January, 20206 yr by Lady Elanore

Although there is not a physical means of doing this, is there a Panasonic app for doing it?

 

I had a set of headphones (Motorola, I think) that had buttons for the basics (fast forward, rewind and play), but if I wanted to change anything more than that I I could do it via an app on my phone.

I had a look at the pdf instruction manual and couldn't see any way of adjusting the balance. I suspect that the OP is using built in sources like the CD player, in which case there is no easy solution 😞 

That's pretty poor.

 

Two suggestions;

 

1. Slightly turn/swivel the furthest away speaker so that it is aiming it's output more towards you.

 

2. If possible, take it back to where you purchased it and state it is not fit for (your) purpose. I cannot think of any kit I own that does not give me control of balancing the sound, whether directly from it; TV, Bose 2.1 computer speakers, or via the audio source; Bluetooth headphones via mobile or TV.

The more you turn the speaker away from you, the more the high frequency sound will be lost 😞 Also you lose any chance of a stereo image too 

Edited 28 January, 20206 yr by Lady Elanore

12 hours ago, FirstAndLastSkoda said:

 

1. Slightly turn/swivel the furthest away speaker so that it is aiming it's output more towards you.

For the benefit of the 3 people who appear to be Hard of Reading,

 

I said turn the speaker towards you, not away from you. It's what I initially had to do with some laptop speakers before I realised I could adjust the balance via the laptop.

 

Anyway, to the OP, best wishes on getting this resolved.

Good point well made. But then the reverse will happen as increased HF will hit the listener (assuming they weren't pointing at him in the first place) 

On 13/01/2020 at 14:27, KenONeill said:

Well, I've never heard of a simple balance control as a DIY addon. I have heard of an add-on graphic equaliser that could offer the functionality you discuss, but I'm not sure you have the space for one from what you say.

as I understand it ( from my days of DIY HI FI systems) , each source has an input equalisation network to send an audio flat frequency response into the pre amp and at the output of the preamp tone/volume  and balance are fitted. This is where theoretically a balance should be fitted to control the relative levels into the power amp. Any modifications to the output might place a strain on the power amp components.

i did say theoretically- whether it is practical is another discussion. And again, my dabblings were done in the days of analogue modules.

11 hours ago, VWD said:

as I understand it ( from my days of DIY HI FI systems) , each source has an input equalisation network to send an audio flat frequency response into the pre amp and at the output of the preamp tone/volume  and balance are fitted. This is where theoretically a balance should be fitted to control the relative levels into the power amp. Any modifications to the output might place a strain on the power amp components.

i did say theoretically- whether it is practical is another discussion. And again, my dabblings were done in the days of analogue modules.

Agreed, but I thought the practical bulk of the add-on was an issue to the OP regardless of the theoretical arguments about graphic equalisers.

it's not just theoretical arguments about graphic equalisers. it's the placement. It's not a good idea to fit a low signal level device on the output of a power device. So OP would need to fit a graphic equaliser designed to cope with the power level in from a power amp. not being picky, but do these exist ? personally I'd suggest the best way is to take it back and find a system that does have balance on the output.

Looking at the instruction manual the only way to take an output from the device that is not a high level speaker feed is from the HP socket. Not ideal but it can be managed around line level approx and then run through something like the things I posted or a separate graphic eq. The signal can then be reinserted into the line inputs on the rear. As I said it does depend on whether the headphone socket is designed as a break jack input as it will cut the speakers. It's an easy fix though if you dare to open up the case  

 

Sadly there is no clean and easy way to balance high level outputs to speakers, it should be done at the low level or line level really 😞 It's also a shame that the OP hasn't been on the site for a fortnight  

Was there ever any outcome to this post. The OP hasn't replied yet?