Phonitor 2
27
Laterality
In acoustics, laterality refers to the deviation of
sound perception to either of our ears. With the
Laterality control you can compensate perceived vo-
lume differences between channels that may be due
to hearing loss.
This control has a narrower range than conventional
balance controls. When it is turned fully left or right, the level of the
opposite channel is not reduced to zero. Its resolution is very high,
which means it can be finely adjusted. Further, Laterality works like
a scale with values ranging from +3dB to -3dB. This means that, when
hard left, the level of the right channel is reduced 3dB while that of the
left channel increases 3dB.
The maximum difference amounts to 6dB, which is more than enough
to compensate for significant differences: +6dB equates to doubling
the sound pressure level (to achieve a doubling of the perceived loud-
ness, the overall level ought to increase 10dB).
Volume
The Volume level control allows you to decrease
the signal level from between 0 and -97 dB.
To this end we employ a high-grade ALPS RK27
motorized potentiometer. It distinguishes
itself through a high headroom, very low tol-
erance and excellent handling that on the one
hand offers sufficient resistance while, on the
other, avoids stickiness.
The Volume control is calibrated in a relative
dB scale that references the input level. The fully
clockwise position represents 0 dB, where the input
signal is led to the output with an unaltered level (unity
gain).
Control Elements
