Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Calibrating the system: to adjust the phase

Hi,
can someone help me understand the way in which to identify the correct phase?
Thank in advance.
Umberto

Hi, Start with it all set to positive. Then the test tones should sound solid and centered as opposed to indistinct.
The differance can be subtle.
This is as I remember it. Cheers, Chris

Don't assume all positive is always correct (it usually is though). There is some weird sh$t that can happen that I don't know how to explain. I think things get complicated when they are not a nice even arc with equal distances. Center is most likely speaker to misbehave.

I have not done a phase test in a long time.

But what I do is for EACH pair being tested is bob my head side to side. If it's "correct" the sound will stay still (i.e. Solid like Chris says). When it's wrong it will kind of bounce around as you move your head side to side.

Moving your head amplifies the out phase sound reaching your ears and easier to detect.

Also when you have mixed equipment brands things can sometimes flip.

Hi,
I am playing track 5 of the following DVD-A :
Lowen & Navarro "carry on together" is a DVD-A produced by AIX records
I get a distorted sound when the contrabass plays.
This instrument is present only in this track.
Meridian told me to verify the phase.
I had put all on +.
When I flip the phase from + in -, I get a sound with less bass. I do it in speaker calibration.
The sound appears not to change.

A phase problem as far as I know would never cause a "distorted" sound.

It may cause poor imaging or hard to hear/understand vocals on a center.

But not "distorted".

My guess is, it's just in the recording.

You might post a separate thread with the name of the DVD-A title to see if someone else has it so they can compare.

Out of curiosity I would also try playing the "DVD" track if it has one (most do, but AIX always does things a little different). I'm not sure what that would tell you either way. You can switch the player to "DVD" mode through the 96 menu (see wiki). Or just stick it in a normal DVD player (i.e. your PS3).

Phase does also effect bass and usually you do get less bass with it out of phase (bass frequencies tend to cancel rather than reinforce). I suggest leaving phase alone and leave it all positive. And look elsewhere for the distortion problem.

You may also have a bad tweeter or driver and the DVD-A is just hitting the right frequency to hear it.

Really strange Meridian said to check phase for this issue.