Stereo Speaker Switch

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 15 Jul 2001 10:24 am

Would anyone happen to know the part number and source for a switch capable of reversing the speaker wires to one of the stereo cabs.
I've heard John Hughey uses this effect but I haven't found a swicth capable of the current demands. It would most likely be a DPDT configuration. I use a DPC-1000 so the current factor is significant. They usually arc and burn open after a few operations. Thanks in Advance ! Regards Paul[This message was edited by Paul Graupp on 15 July 2001 at 04:28 PM.]

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 15 Jul 2001 12:08 pm

How about putting two jacks on that speaker. One wired "normal" and the other one wired "reverse". Then when you want to reverse the phase just plug into the one you want.

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 15 Jul 2001 2:43 pm

Jack: That's the solution I use with the exception that it is on one of my speaker cabs. That could be on the sidekick but they want to be able to switch without pulling a plug and that is what I was trying to build for them. BTW: Have you used this arrangement for speaker phasing and if so, have any comments about it ?

Regards, Paul.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 15 Jul 2001 6:01 pm

I have used miniature 6A switches for just this use with no problem. As long as you're not switching the thing in the middle of a fat chord, there should be very little current flowing. There are standard-size, and large bat handle toggle switches that will handle 10-20A, and that should be more than enough! Any electrical supply house will have them. You might even pick one up at the large home supply stores (like Home Depot, or Lowe's) in the electrical department.

Yes, you want a DPDT switch with no "center-off", and stay away from "import-cheapies".[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 15 July 2001 at 07:02 PM.]

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 16 Jul 2001 9:17 am

I hadn't heard of John, or anyone, purposely reversing the speaker leads of one speaker. What is the purpose/advantage of putting one speaker out of phase with the other?

Blake Hawkins · Post by **Blake Hawkins** » 16 Jul 2001 9:40 am

Paul, this may sound stupid...'cause I don't know the way your system is configured.
However, couldn't you reverse the phase at a lower level, like the input to the stereo power amp?
That way you wouldn't have to deal with switching the power.
If the inputs are unbalanced, this could be done with a switch and an isolation transformer at the power amp input.
If the inputs are balanced, you'd only need a switch.
Blake

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 16 Jul 2001 11:37 am

Jack and Donny: Common sense should have told me those answers but I guess I was too impressed by other peoples statements.

Jim and Blake: You know, when I first heard of this, I was the most skeptical person in the world. All I saw was cancellation to one degree or another. Even when I rigged the first system using Texas Sound cabs for another player, I could not hear what the others were hearing.

I've tried it myself and still could not hear the change but I've now learned that this was because my speakers were too close to each other. When I seperated them about 6 to 8 feet apart, I got the effect and I mean to say I really heard it !! It surprized me at how large the change was, after all, I was a skeptic, wasn't I ?

Originally, the change was made with 15 inch speakers but the cabs I'm using now have eight 5 inch Bose type speakers in each cab.
I'm thinking this complex wave form in front of the speakers has a lot to do with the stereo swirl and mix of the sound waves from both or either side. I try to imagine 16 patterns instead of just two but it is more something that you'd hear instead of visualizing.

All I can say is that when you have it, the effect is really nice. I sounded like that program they have on PBS called Echoes. Others have made the statement that when you get "That Tone", you will know it ! The same is true here, you'll know it.

As for an earlier change to the phasing, I don't think the results would be the same. If that were true, we could hear stereo from a single speaker. Stereo is in the Ears of the Listener.

Regards Paul