Newbie Q: Right speaker louder than left

[crisco]

Hi Everyone,
just set up my new system. I've never done this before and have a quick question - as my title indicates - the right speaker is clearly louder than the left speaker (RTiA7's). I'm running 14 gauge wire with bare ends to the binding posts. Any ideas as to the cause?? Any suggestion much appreciated :)

[doctor r]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new system.
More information would help. Tell us about the rest of your system amplifier, source, ect. If you switch speakers from one side to the other does the increased volume stay with the one speaker or with the same side of your system?

[crisco]

Hi Thanks,
I'm running a NAD L53 (50 watts/channel) to 2 RTiA7's. I really haven't messed with it yet - just noticed the defect last night. So, I haven't had the chance to switch the speakers etc. Could it be as simple as a wiring issue?

[doctor r]

The speaker wires should not cause that much of a difference unless they are not well conected or have a break. Check if there is a balance control that got slightly moved from center by accident. Switching the speakers will give you more insight to the problems location to help start tracking it down.

[bobman1235]

OK, some simple questions :

- Does the NAD have a balance knob that can be adjusted?
- Some / most receivers have a way to adjust individual channels. Read your owners manual, and see how to do this on yours, and make sure the right and left channels are adjusted correctly.
- Is your room a funny shape? This can cause one side to appear to be louder.

[busterapco]

I would first, switch the connections of the two speakers, if still the same you know its not the wire or the speakers and therefore must be the amp. I would then check to see if there is a set up for speakers, possible the db is higher on the one side then it should be. If everything appears normal, check the voltage rating of the amp and make sure it is good enough to power the speakers and not set at 4? for an 8? speaker. If all is correct I would say it is a defective amp. The first sign of an amp going out then it just going out is channels going out.

[crisco]

thanks for the quick replies everyone.
I'll run some tests tonight when I get home. The unit doesn't have a L/R knob per se, but it does have a settings button from which the L/R volume/balance can be adjusted. I bought the unit as a demo - so perhaps the in store settings were adjusted/messed with.
I'll also swap the speaker wire connections to see if it is the speakers or the amp.
I'll report back tomorrow.
Thanks again. :)

[crisco]

well, the solution was of course very straightforward. Looks like the settings were altered in the store, so that the left speaker balance was at -4. I adjusted it back to 0 - problem solved.
At any rate, I love the system. I realize that its not a super high end setup but I never had anything remotely close to this before. I was worried that the L53 wouldn't be powerful enough - but it seems more than adequate for my needs (i'm not blasting the speakers etc). Anyways, thanks for the input everyone. I'm sure I'll have more questions in the future...

[ohskigod]

not a surprise, NAD makes good gear, and from what I can gather, they notoriously low ball there power stats (a good thing in my mind)

thats a good set up you got there, I dont think anyone will tell you different. Some say the RTi have a tendency to be a tad bright, but NAD usually runs on the laid back warm side from my experience. I got a feeling you have a nice little synergy going there with that set up.

Believe me, you can spend thousands upon thousands on gear, if the synergy isnt there, it's gonna sound like a mild train wreck. I dont think you have that problem on both fronts. have fun with it :)

[crisco]

Thanks!

I am indeed enjoying the system. It is a tad bit 'bright'. But my living room isn't really helping either. We've just moved into a new place and the floors are hardwood and we don't have any art or curtains up yet. I'm sure it'll improve once we decorate etc.