Balancing internal/external speakers

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openmedia

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#16852 31-Oct-2007 15:45

I have an old Kenwood amp with A/B channels that I use to feed 2 pairs of speakers.

Internally I have a pair of JPW mini monitors on the A channel, and externally I have a pair of weatherproof speakers on the deck. Now I can run both A + B at the same time, but there is a serious volume difference between the pairs of speakers. Generally I need more volume outside, but the indoor pair are far louder.

Now I do like having the A/B connectivity to turn on/off a pair depending on what we are doing, so I basically need some sort of fader to decrease the loudness of the indoor pair, without seriously impacting the quality of the sound.

Any suggestions?

Steve

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

Fraktul

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#93159 31-Oct-2007 16:11

Hmm just a little fader POTS would do it I guess. Not sure what kind of distortion this would induce however, you would probably need something digital if you wanted accurate reproduction.

wmoore

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#93174 31-Oct-2007 18:16

I think a volume POT on the indoor speakers will be fine. I don't think distortion would be an issue as you are reducing the
volume. And I don't think the sound quality will be effected.

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." -
-- Abraham lincoln

richms

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#93177 31-Oct-2007 19:06

You need an L-Pad - there are transformer based ones, or resistor ones. - transformers will color the sound more but are more efficiant, resistor ones will waste power and get hot, so if you are pushing several watts they will need cooling.

But they will stuff your damping factor up in either case so if you have difficult speakers, then you will end up with loose flappy bass. Ok on small inwall/cieling speakers for background music but not for listening to music with.

Also, some amps will series up the speakers when both outputs are turned on, this is really really non-ideal, especially if they are different types.

Really you need a second amplifier for the speakers. That way you dont compromise the sound inside.

Richard rich.ms