AC polarity and speaker placement
Tech Tips
Don't consider speaker placement final until you've discovered the correct AC polarity for all components.
Incorrect AC polarity from just one component can make your system sound harsher than it should because the components change of reference ground point of the internal power supply transformer.
Usually it's on the shield side of connectors and interconnects. Since this shield is common to both channels, it can present a slightly 'grungy' center fill that you may not notice until it's been eradicated.
If you have carefully set your speakers up for a precise stereo image, and then you correct the AC polarity, depending on the polarity's interaction with the other components, you may get a 'hole in the middle' when the artificial center fill (mono) information is removed.
With some systems, we've found the need to bring the speakers an inch or two closer together to correct for what had been a false center fill. Try it and see what you think...
PS Audio's How to Section offers an in-depth step-by-step guide to help you get absolute polarity correct. You can click here to visit our How To Section.
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