loudspeaker stereo imaging
 

On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 01:47:34 +0000 (GMT), Dave Plowman
wrote:

In article ,
Ian Molton wrote:
Its easy to obtain a stunning stereo image... wear headphones ;-)

But this is a fallacy. You can't position sounds accurately with
headphones as you can with speakers.

Oh, yes you can. Ever hear a BBC binaural broadcast? The realism is
quite stunning - so much so that if you turn your head, it can make
you nauseus as the world spins with you!
--

Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering

loudspeaker stereo imaging
 

"Stewart Pinkerton" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 01:47:34 +0000 (GMT), Dave Plowman
wrote:

In article ,
Ian Molton wrote:
Its easy to obtain a stunning stereo image... wear headphones ;-)

But this is a fallacy. You can't position sounds accurately with
headphones as you can with speakers.

Oh, yes you can. Ever hear a BBC binaural broadcast? The realism is
quite stunning - so much so that if you turn your head, it can make
you nauseus as the world spins with you!
--

Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering

I've not heard the BBC binaural broadcast but I have heard recordings made
via a Neumann dummy head system. I don't know how this compares with the
BBC's broadcasts ..but if its similar then I'd agree with Stewart.

Mike

loudspeaker stereo imaging
 

"Stewart Pinkerton" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 01:47:34 +0000 (GMT), Dave Plowman
wrote:

In article ,
Ian Molton wrote:
Its easy to obtain a stunning stereo image... wear headphones ;-)

But this is a fallacy. You can't position sounds accurately with
headphones as you can with speakers.

Oh, yes you can. Ever hear a BBC binaural broadcast? The realism is
quite stunning - so much so that if you turn your head, it can make
you nauseus as the world spins with you!
--

Stewart Pinkerton | Music is Art - Audio is Engineering

I've not heard the BBC binaural broadcast but I have heard recordings made
via a Neumann dummy head system. I don't know how this compares with the
BBC's broadcasts ..but if its similar then I'd agree with Stewart.

Mike

loudspeaker stereo imaging
 

On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 01:47:34 +0000 (GMT)
Dave Plowman wrote:

Its easy to obtain a stunning stereo image... wear headphones ;-)

But this is a fallacy. You can't position sounds accurately with
headphones as you can with speakers.

say what?

two sonically independant drivers (ie. no sound leaks across from one
ear to the other)

The closest you could possibly get would be to split your head in half
and put sound proofing in there too.

--
Spyros lair: http://www.mnementh.co.uk/ |||| Maintainer: arm26 linux

Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are tasty and good with
ketchup.

loudspeaker stereo imaging
 

On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 01:47:34 +0000 (GMT)
Dave Plowman wrote:

Its easy to obtain a stunning stereo image... wear headphones ;-)

But this is a fallacy. You can't position sounds accurately with
headphones as you can with speakers.

say what?

two sonically independant drivers (ie. no sound leaks across from one
ear to the other)

The closest you could possibly get would be to split your head in half
and put sound proofing in there too.

--
Spyros lair: http://www.mnementh.co.uk/ |||| Maintainer: arm26 linux

Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are tasty and good with
ketchup.

loudspeaker stereo imaging
 

On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 07:41:45 +0000
Ian Bell wrote:

Sure, you could build an acoustically neutral room with big pointy
spikes all over the walls, and position everything so that there
just the one perfect listening spot... but thats well beyond most
peoples budgets...

Not at all, there are some simple basic things you can do that will
significantly improve the acoustics of a room - people with home
studios do it all the time.

Yeah, but its not exactly scientific is it?

put the speaker where its 'scientifically accurate' in a room that is
not (even a little bit) and you could find it sounds terrible until you
move it 10cm further right, for no good reason.

Same thing applied to the (in)famous kef speaker that worked FAR better
with a sock in its bass port...

--
Spyros lair: http://www.mnementh.co.uk/ |||| Maintainer: arm26 linux

Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are tasty and good with
ketchup.

loudspeaker stereo imaging
 

On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 07:41:45 +0000
Ian Bell wrote:

Sure, you could build an acoustically neutral room with big pointy
spikes all over the walls, and position everything so that there
just the one perfect listening spot... but thats well beyond most
peoples budgets...

Not at all, there are some simple basic things you can do that will
significantly improve the acoustics of a room - people with home
studios do it all the time.

Yeah, but its not exactly scientific is it?

put the speaker where its 'scientifically accurate' in a room that is
not (even a little bit) and you could find it sounds terrible until you
move it 10cm further right, for no good reason.

Same thing applied to the (in)famous kef speaker that worked FAR better
with a sock in its bass port...

--
Spyros lair: http://www.mnementh.co.uk/ |||| Maintainer: arm26 linux

Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are tasty and good with
ketchup.

loudspeaker stereo imaging
 

Ian Molton wrote:

On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 07:41:45 +0000
Ian Bell wrote:

Sure, you could build an acoustically neutral room with big pointy
spikes all over the walls, and position everything so that there
just the one perfect listening spot... but thats well beyond most
peoples budgets...

Not at all, there are some simple basic things you can do that will
significantly improve the acoustics of a room - people with home
studios do it all the time.

Yeah, but its not exactly scientific is it?

Yes it is


put the speaker where its 'scientifically accurate' in a room that is
not (even a little bit) and you could find it sounds terrible until you
move it 10cm further right, for no good reason.

Have you actually tried this or is it just supposition on your part?



Same thing applied to the (in)famous kef speaker that worked FAR better
with a sock in its bass port...


So it was a poorly designed speaker. Your point is what?

Ian

loudspeaker stereo imaging
 

Ian Molton wrote:

On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 07:41:45 +0000
Ian Bell wrote:

Sure, you could build an acoustically neutral room with big pointy
spikes all over the walls, and position everything so that there
just the one perfect listening spot... but thats well beyond most
peoples budgets...

Not at all, there are some simple basic things you can do that will
significantly improve the acoustics of a room - people with home
studios do it all the time.

Yeah, but its not exactly scientific is it?

Yes it is


put the speaker where its 'scientifically accurate' in a room that is
not (even a little bit) and you could find it sounds terrible until you
move it 10cm further right, for no good reason.

Have you actually tried this or is it just supposition on your part?



Same thing applied to the (in)famous kef speaker that worked FAR better
with a sock in its bass port...


So it was a poorly designed speaker. Your point is what?

Ian

loudspeaker stereo imaging
 

In article ,
Ian Bell wrote:
But this is a fallacy. You can't position sounds accurately with
headphones as you can with speakers.



I think you got that the wrong way round.

Not at all. The ears rely on positioning things by more than just
different levels on left and right. Headphones remove this on a recording
made in the normal ways and balanced on loudspeakers.

Binaural recordings are designed to be listened to on headphones, but
these are not that common outside radio drama.

Of course, many domestic rooms have appalling acoustics for stereo due to
things like the current fashion for wood floors and minimal furnishings.
To really have good stereo imaging you need good speakers and a good room
- as near 'dead' as possible. Few have heard this, and it's an absolute
revelation.

--
*Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn