[Vintage-Audio] Speaking On Speakers

[Bob]

I agree that the mono sound is beyond anything. But
consider, to generate the stereo field those who master and
record are assuming that the phase center for the two
speakers (or 5.1 Dolby or any multi channel sound) is
staying fixed in two (or more) descrete positions. This
makes the time delay and therefore the phase of the sound as
heard by the listener to be one configuration. The relative
phase and amplitude of the sound coming from the speakers is
what makes up the position of the instruments and therefore
the sound field. Done correctly some ears can even find the
third dimension of depth and be able to isolate individual
instruments in a large orchestra. With horns this
relationship is not what the recorded data is calibrated to
generate. The sound waves in the horn, particularily the low
midrange so important in generating the psuedo location of
the sounds, is delayed due to the propogation group delay as
the waves shuffle down the horn and this phase shift is
frequency dependent (dispersive). 
What this mess of physics can cause a wide range instrument
like a piano to actually move from the left toward the
center depending upon which note is being played. (maybe it
moves the other way, I forget.)

BTW, I think ANY mono sounds better than any stereo, but
with the current SACD presentation of the original 3 channel
stereo of some stuff (Miles Davis, "Kind of Blue") this
opinion may change. 

Oh yeah, this is vintage audio since this recording was made
in 1959..

WBob

WBob

Robert Nickels wrote:
> 
> > One must also consider that the horns have a phase center
> > that moves with frequency and really messes up stereo's
> > sound field.
> 
> Bob originally made this comment in response to my previous post about my
> Altec Lansing Valencias, which are living room styled versions of the A7
> Voice of the Theater speakers, and I've been pondering it since...
> 
> While I agree with Bob on everything else (including the "Bose sound", ala
> my basement 901s),  I'm not sure about this "sound field" stuff.   I am no
> "golden ear" type, but I know good audio when I hear it and all I can say I
> wouldn't trade the sound of my Altec Lansing horns for most anything I've
> heard, which includes some pretty impressive speakers.   To my ear at least,
> the stereo separation (and what at risk of sounding like an audio-phool)
> I'll call "transparency" sounds fantastic.  I play all my Dish network audio
> thru them as well and sure don't hear any phase center error on either CD or
> digital audio sources.
> 
> One speaker that could turn my head might be a pair of Klipsch's, which as
> Bob says, is simply awesome.   An old buddy and I thought blowing out
> matches at 15 ft. was impressive, but breaking windows with "Victory at
> Sea"...yeah, I can see that!
> 
> Not trying to stir the pot - I find these posts very informative and
> appreciate Bob and others sharing their knowledge.  All I'm saying is that
> if you have a chance to glom onto a pair of horns, don't be afraid to give
> 'em a listen.
> 
> 73, Bob W9RAN
> 
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