Virtualized loudspeaker playback can compete with real multi-speaker systems on listener preference.

Evidence

At two large trade shows, “VMAx Phantom Home Theater” was demonstrated in instantaneous A/B comparisons with a conventional five-loudspeaker implementation, using identical loudspeakers everywhere. The comparison was blind in the sense that the playback form was not announced, just described as A or B, which was randomized. When asked afterwards which system they preferred, about half had no preference. That alone was gratifying, but even more encouraging were the 20% who preferred the phantom theater. Why? The seamlessness of the soundstage and the impressive sense of depth. One was always aware of the five real speakers, whereas the virtual loudspeakers drew less attention to themselves. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 310

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the reader’s stated interest in psychoacoustic models applied to real products; also echoes the earlier theme from One Square Inch of Silence that absence/attenuation of the source can heighten perception of the recording itself.