Reproduced recordings can reveal high-frequency detail inaudible in live concert halls

Evidence

We know that relatively close microphone locations and skilled mixing by recording engineers can deliver rewarding loudspeaker listening experiences in small rooms. They are certainly different, but not necessarily worse in all respects. In fact, if one looks at air attenuation alone (see Figure 12.19) the combined high-frequency losses in the direct and reflected sounds in large concert halls means that much high-frequency detail is missing in the live experience for most of the audience. Headphone listening is even more different. In both cases one can hear details that are inaudible in most of the performance environment. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 582

Categorization

Category: Contrarian or Surprising Claims

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