I’m running into issues with A/B Testing and maybe my receiver just wont support it (TSR-7850), but I think there could be some good discussion on this topic. I currently have my AVR with line out to a power amp (Mitsubishi DA-A10DC) that does have an A/B selector.
What I would like is to EQ each set with the same woofer and switch between the two. I’m working with some Allison CD-9 (Sensitivity 90dB) vs KEF LS50 Meta (85dB). I suppose I could have someone do the switching for me and adjust volume for each. I’m guessing I need a receiver that I can easily switch zones on and set each one up like for like.
Anyways, do you have a good process? For the record, I think I still like my Allison speakers better, might need to adjust some positions though.
I bought an A/B switch off Amazon since I don’t use a multi zone receiver. Good Luck.
So I think adjusting the volume 5dB and switching between them is the way to go. Just need a friend to help out. I also turned off the sub (cross over configured by AVR) so that the Sub isn’t going up 5dB as well.
I use a sound level meter to make sure they are close to the same.
I was going to run them both through Room EQ Wizard and my calibration mic to get a reading on that.
What do you play for the SPL meter to read the same? I can tell the Allison speakers are much louder. I need to find my cal mic for my phone so I can do a quick SPL reading. Would be nice to A/B them with EQ and volume adjustments so they are as close to end game as possible on each channel. I forget where I read it, but there was a study of how quickly you forget sound comparisons so it’s a good idea to be able to switch back and forth quickly. Might have been the same article that showed volume greatly impacted the impressions as well.
You might try noise C weighted at 83 dB: https://www.digido.com/portfolio-item/level-practices-part-2/
Rapid A/B is recommended. The best representation is when all is still in short term memory so loops of 4 to 6 seconds.
Volume matching is crucial as out hearing is not only a-linear but the amount varies with the SPL. It is known as the equal loudness contour or as the Fletcher-Munson curve in honor of the guys who discovered this in 1930. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-loudness_contour
I’ll check that link out. Thanks.
I still have the pair of Allison Two loudspeakers I bought in college. I put new surrounds on the woofers and plan to re-do their crossovers once I finish my Beogram restoration that’s gonna take at least a year to do.
I’ve been in an Allison internet group for several years. Roy Allison would reply occasionally and there were some speaker designers on there as well. Anyways, everyone says to not screw with the cross overs. They are built very well and unless you see them leaking it’s just a pain to get in there.
I own One’s, Three’s, two Sets of Nines, and a pair of Six’s. I’ve always wanted 2’s and 4’s. I unfortunately don’t have a big house in the suburbs so only 3 pairs live in my house and surround sound isn’t really an option with my room setup. I have the One’s and Six’s are at a couple different friends houses though.
Anyways, I got them all pretty cheap and refoamed them as well. I’m eager to A/B test these with the KEFs…I can’t find my YPAO Mic at the moment though either. I think Allison Speakers are the best bang for your buck since they aren’t well known you can get them fairly cheap.