Your speakers are matched. Your cables are identical. You measure distances to the millimeter. Still, the center image leans left. You swap channels. It persists. Then you discover the balance knob. But should you touch it?
What to Do
Use your preamp or integrated amp’s balance control to correct minor center-image drift—especially if room asymmetry or furniture can’t be resolved. Shift by small increments while listening to mono recordings or tracks with strong central vocals. Re-center by ear, not by math.
Here’s Why That Works
Small differences in wall reflection, channel gain, or speaker response can shift the phantom center. Even a 0.5 dB imbalance can cause image drift. The balance knob reweights the stereo field without altering signal quality or speaker position.
It’s not cheating—it’s calibrating. Don’t be afraid to center the stage if the room won’t.
