[Vintage-Audio] Speaking On Speakers

[Bob]

Duane...(and others)..

Stereo is not having two speakers with similar sounds. It
started that way back in the 70s, when individually mik'd
instruments were "assigned" to either the left or the right
channel, but it has EVOLVED. Nowadays there is an attempt to
create a sound field where the various sounds are located in
3D space and this location is carefully established using
typical speaker separation (not binaural earphones). The
recording industry goes to some length to preserve this
sound field by carefully controlling phase and amplitude
through the recording process. On the repro end you too must
use care to realize this carefully created sound field. 

It really isn't just the same thing coming out of each
speaker, in a carefully designed repro system you can sit in
your chair and shut your eyes and locate every player,
instrument, tell who is breathing and who has hum in his
earphones. The spacial isolation allows your brain to focus
on hearing just one instrument in an orchestra, much like
you can focus your hearing on one person speaking in a
crowded room with your brain filtering out the other
speakers. 

Sounds great doesn't it...but it really doesn't work that
well. Two speakers isn't sufficient to create a really
detailed sound field. Three speakers is enough, but it takes
three channels of full range audio to create it. This is
what SACD (and DVD-A) is trying to do.

WBob

"Duane Fischer, W8DBF" wrote:
> 
> Robert,
> 
> If you really want to hear stereo separation, you need some older recordings.
> Especially anything recorded in the RCA studio in Nashville, TN.
> 
> Much of what they call music today (patented Fischer smirk) is electronic, no
> humans playing instruments, or very few. The same sound is on both channels most
> of the time, sounds more like mono, frankly. The difference is not striking or
> obvious, as it once was.
> 
> Yes I have a digital surround system with three channels fed by CD, LD or DVD. I
> even have a Sony DSS UHF high end tri-element dish set up.
> 
> If you want to hear the difference, come on over! Bring some corn to pop and we
> will park in my sound area and rattle some timbers.
> 
> Duane W8DBF
> 
> ----------
> From: Robert Nickels <W9RAN@oneradio.net>
> To: vintage-audio@mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Vintage-Audio] Speaking On Speakers
> Date: Wednesday, July 31, 2002 12:03 AM
> 
> > 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
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/vintage-audio
> List Administrator: Duane Fischer, W8DBF
> ** For Assistance: dfischer@usol.com **
> _______________________________________________
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/vintage-audio
> List Administrator: Duane Fischer, W8DBF
> ** For Assistance: dfischer@usol.com **