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Is soundstage just a distortion?

Years back when I bought a Shure V15 Type 3 and then later when I bought a V15 Type 5 Shure would send you their test records (still have mine). I also found the easiest test to be the channel phasing test. In phase yielded a solid center image but one channel out of phase yielded a mess, but usually decidedly way off center image.

This got me thinking of the difference between analog and digital. At its best (in my home) I am able to get a wider soundstage out of analog as compared to digital. Which got me thinking- is a wide soundstage, one that extends beyond speakers, just an artifact of phase distortion (and phase distortion is something that phono cartridges can be prone to)? If this is the case, well, it can be a pleasing distortion.
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geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Newbee - Exactamundo! You have my guarantee if you see an for a fabulous plasma TV on your crappy Samsung 24" tv you will not be seeing it in its full glory. By the way, soundstage is real as a colonoscopy. What's the rumpus?
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
The latest Dead Can Dance CD has soundstage and dynamics to die for. Their first CD in 16 (count 'em) years!
csontos
1,311 posts
 
Geoff, it's interesting you would consider Newbee's comment ie: 'soundstage capabilities optimized', absolute. According to who? Him? You? Were you there? Are Newbee's ears perfect? Are instruments perfect?

Doesn't change what Al said one iota.

Oh, but it does dismiss your comment.
Exactamundo!

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,807 posts
 
The verdict is in. I just listened to Roger Waters' Amused To Death. I must say I'm definitely not amused. Sound engineers definitely 'are' magicians! I'm hearing point source information as far to the left and right of my speakers as they are apart. Truly amazing.

Csontos, if the system is working correctly, you should hear sounds *outside* the width of the speakers. I once did a demo for a 'sound engineer' at my house with that recording. He said after the demo that he was distracted by the neighbor's dog outside the window (to the left of the left speaker). When I explained that the dog was on the recording (and played it again) his jaw was on the floor.
csontos
1,311 posts
 
Thank you, Ralph. My experience is consistent in that regard but I wasn't kidding about just how far from the speakers I'm hearing this effect on that particular recording. I mentioned it because it blows away my earlier premise and confirms Al's and Rodman's evidence. I wasn't aware that was possible. I still can't get my head around it. It's incredible. Like surround sound without the side speakers. I have a Bedini B.A.S.E. processor but it's effect is not that strong.
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