Mono VS Stereo


Hello,

For the last few years I stopped listening to my system in stereo mode and now only listen in mono. As soon as I started listening in mono my listening enjoyment went up about 300%. No longer did I become fatigued by the (Man made) stereo (Effects) created by the engineers in the studio. I grew to hate following these effects from the left speaker to the right speaker and back again with some recordings. When you attend a live performance be it Rock, Jazz, synphony or whatever, the sound comes at you in mono not stereo (Unless of course the sound man has other ideas. But as far as the band and the actual instruments are concerned there is no such thing as "Playing" in stereo. Give it a try, listen to your records or CD's in mono ( I hope you all have a mono selector on your preamps) it will be hard going back to stereo listening plus the soundstage and the way the "Band" comes across will be really cool.
nocaster
I too like mono sound. However, not to detract from your sonic joys, but do try repositioning your spkrs, as Shadorne suggests or even a bit further away (¬5'); the experience will be better for both mono & stereo material.
Keep in mind that "mono" is often sound re-channelled through the right (stereo) channel. It could be you're enjoying an artefact -- albeit a welcome one!
As ELdartford notes there are few mono cartridges around, some of them being just modded stereos. But it's worth trying out, I think, especially on mono recordings.
Nocaster, you do realize that the people responding here are being really gentle on you? Much of what you say makes no sense at all!

In a perfect world I guess all our systems should image and create a soundstage as it were like headphones.
the depth of field does indeed improve when in mono

You've repeatedly said your system sounds fantastic with a wonderful stereo spread, yet you prefer listening in mono. That's a really bizarre conclusion. That's no just a little out of left field type statement -- it's from two counties over from where the ballpark is. Reasonable audiophiles can only conclude that something is seriously wrong with your setup. It would help if you were to post your system with pictures of your listening space.

It's not just a case of "to each his own". There is a question of fidelity. Mono recordings are best heard in mono, but to limit stereo recordings to mono is to purposely distort them. It would be like going to a museum housing impressionist paintings and wearing infra-red night vision goggles because I don't like the vibrant color "effect". I'd quickly be in a small room explaining my "preference" to security personnel.
shadorne is absolutely correct. the artists and engineers have made records for 'stereo' since 'shep was a pup'...unless you specialize in collecting 'pre rock era' stuff, its a bit like the benefits of shoving a square peg in a round hole.
Stereo recordings are best heard in stereo and mono recordings in mono.

There are many mono recordings from the pre-stereo age that are quite excellent because they were designed and intended to be heard that way (in mono).

Same true with stereo. In general listening to these in mono is a course and lacking simulation of what these products are intended to sound like.

Of course, we all have the right to listen as we please for whatever reasons make us happy.
I know I know......I have been off the beaten path for much of my life when it comes to the "Norm". Stones over the Beatles, big money on small speakers (Guarneri), really old motorcycles, film vs digital, First off I really appreciate all you guys being "Gentle" in your observations about my mono comments. I know some you are probably thinking I should order one of those jackets with the really lond wrap around sleeves and allow six to eight weeks for delivery. I figure I'm in good company, they thought Columbus was crazy too!! But I honestly do prefer listening in mono, even if technically incorrect it's more enjoyable to me at this point. As I say I will play around with my system in terms of speaker positioning etc..later this week and see what shakes. I was just thinking what a blast it would be to have all you guys at my place having copious amounts of espresso etc...having this same conversation and listening to music. Ahh the spice of life. Cheers.