Stereo and multichannel listening make listeners more forgiving of loudspeaker flaws
Evidence
When put to the test—proper double-blind tests as discussed above—the added perceptual dimensions in stereo turn out to be influenced as much or more by recordings than by the loudspeakers. Instead of making loudspeaker sound quality requirements more demanding, it turns out that the recorded spatial information in multiple channels makes listeners more forgiving of loudspeaker flaws. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 467
Categorization
- DEFINE: Overturns the common audio-forum assumption that stereo reveals more loudspeaker defects than mono.
- SEED: Article angle: why mono evaluation is the true test of a loudspeaker, and stereo mask its flaws.
- corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 467
- XREF: connects to: Stereo presentation masks audible differences between loudspeakers found in mono. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 443; Listeners adapt to loudspeaker flaws and still enjoy reproduced sound; Mono listening produces stronger and more consistent loudspeaker quality opinions than stereo — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 236 (+7 more)
Broader Connections
- Listeners adapt to loudspeaker flaws and still enjoy reproduced sound
#expands(0.85) - More playback channels increasingly mask audible loudspeaker resonances
#expands(0.82) — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 568 - Listeners habituate to reproduced-sound faults without comparison listening
#expands(0.82) — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 158 - Mono listening produces stronger and more consistent loudspeaker quality opinions than stereo
#contradicts(0.80) — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 236 - Early reflection control often concealed flawed off-axis loudspeaker performance.
#exemplifies(0.72)