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The sonic rightness of a mono system.

Many conventional stereo systems are producing smaller shortened indistinct soundstages that one must sit dead center of while sounding poorly off-axis. So I wondered is the small loudspeaker in stereo the equal to a large one in mono? So I have pursued that line of thought and have come to the conclusion that no a small speaker in stereo is not equal to the large one in mono. I've tried this with some of the most advanced loudspeakers available and they all failed when running up against one large horn in mono. The large loudspeaker just always had a more physical solid presentation the sound stages near the same in size while the stereo always had this tiring artificial sound that the mono system did not. Maybe our brain gets fatigued trying to fill in for what is missing stereo is an artificial technology designed to fool the ear brain system maybe that in itself is the problem. Mono just sounds right. If I had the choice one large horn in mono is what I would select over any 2-way bookshelf no matter what its cost. Nice thing about mono is its ease of entry give it a try you may have all the needed gear stored about. It's also an excuse to buy that cool solo collectable speaker you know the one that is too big to house 2 of. As always YMMV and this is my opinion after much research and we all have a bias I keep that in mind when I do such things but am human and can not fully escape my human limitations.
128x128johnk
phusis's avatar
phusis
1,221 posts
 
To all out there who dismiss mono over stereo, have you ever heard mono-reproduction over a very large all-horn speaker and compared it to the sound of a smaller stereo pair as outlined in this particular context? No need to beat around the bush, because this IS about a single large (all-)horn speaker vs. a pair of comparatively small, direct radiating speakers; it's the whole premise of the OP. 

So, to reiterate: this is about what a single, large horn speaker can supposedly do that small stereo DR pairs can't - not only to one individual's ears. An intriguing thought, I find, and worth looking into. I'd wager the real point of contention here, apart from the heretical notion put forth of potential mono-providence, is a big horn speaker, so people fancy modifying the scenario into whatever applies to their specific setup, and simply substracts one of two similar speakers that aren't big all-horns (likely without placing the remaining single speaker smack in the middle, if it ever gets past a mere thought experiment). Indeed that would be missing the whole point. 

So, is this just about big vs. small speakers? No, that's too crude; it's about a single very large horn speaker playing mono vs. a pair a small(er) direct radiating speakers playing stereo. 
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bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,893 posts
 

I long ago learned that I prefer music reproduced by drivers having large radiating surfaces (ESL’s, magnetic-planars) rather than comparatively-small direct radiators (domes, 3"-5" cones), and that I prefer line-sources to point-sources. Small drivers/point-sources make music appear to be coming through two bricks (one for each channel) removed from a wall separating myself from the performers.

I also like voices to appear to be coming from the height of the mouth of a standing person, rather than at knee or even waist height. I like the performers to be above ear-level, as if on a raised stage, rather than looking down at them from a balcony. Also, small loudspeakers miniaturize the sound of a grand piano, drumset, upright bass, etc., turning a life-size house into a dollhouse.

What I haven’t heard is a large loudspeaker that is a line array of small drivers, like those designed by Danny Richie of GR Research (and others, of course).

So, whether mono or stereo, size matters to me. And though mono recordings can sound smaller in the left-to-right plane, they can still possess great depth.

perkri
909 posts
 
Been helping a friend prep his house for upcoming sale.

Have a battery powered Tivoli radio that I move around with me as I'm working on different parts of the house. VERY mono :) and most definitely not very HiFi :) or, a large horn...

(There is no stereo/music in my friends house...)

There is something about filling a room with sound with a single speaker though. I am reminded of the old short wave radio I listened to while growing up in Norway. When I'm listening to my system now,  it sounds wonderful from my listening position. However, if I have to walk around the room for any reason, a lot of the magic is lost. A single speaker fills a space quite nicely, and it sounds "even".

I would certainly not be adverse to setting up a single large horn running mono in living/dining room. I wonder how many have set up a "proper" single speaker with a "proper" source as a way to fill a room with sound? Most folks will have a small radio, BT speaker or the equiv for this. 

Also, as I am losing my hearing in my left ear, the issue of stereo is not as great as it once was. The idea of a single driver could be a reality in the future.

Thanks for the post.

P


perkri
909 posts
 
Oh, and as for the B/W photography analogies, I will have to respectfully disagree...

While in film school, my design theory professor spoke about photography. He felt, and I agree, that a great photographer making a great photograph can do so in B/W. As the skill set goes down, the photographer could make the image in color. If that doesn't help, then they could consider adding a large mat to the image. If that doesn't work, they could add a fancy frame. And if that doesn't work, make it big...



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