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Correctly Listening to Mono recordings

So after doing some experimentation and reading, I'm starting to believe the correct way to listen to mono recordings is with a single speaker, directly in front of you.

The phantom center image created by a pair of stereo speakers doesn't have the right tonal balance. Apparently Toole did some research on this before, but a speaker directly in front of you will have more apparent midrange than if you are listening to a pair of stereo speakers. This is a Head Related Transfer Function effect (HRTF).

So, if you listen to a mono recording, I suggest turning off one speaker, and facing the other one head on. :)

There are a couple of technical solutions. EQ the speakers, or use something like Neo6's Music mode to drive an actual center speaker. I haven't tried a mono recording via Neo6, but with stereo music it's a pretty nice process. In fact it may be recreating something intended by the early stereo recordings, for which I will have to go back and find. A famous recording engineer insisted 2 speakers = binaural, 3 was needed for stereo. Now that I have experienced how the phantom center is lacking, it's making more sense. :)

Best,


Erik


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Topic - Correctly Listening to Mono recordings - erik_sq 21:39:35 10/03/16 (4)

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