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Mono recordings - Listen with one speaker or two??

I have been listening to the mono Beatles recordings using the two speakers of my 2 channel system and they sound great. But today I was daydreaming and wondered whether the mono recordings might sound even better using only a single speaker, since that is how they must have mixed/mastered back in the day. Does listening through two speakers somehow diminish the true mono experience? I have not tried it yet, but I intend to. Anyone already done it or have an opinion?
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cyclonicman
693 posts
 
You raise an interesting point! In the past, I beleive that people did listen through only one speaker! I have never done it, but my guess is that the soundstage would be reduced or lost by using one speaker instead of the two. Certainly, you would have to move either the speaker or your listening position to a center point as well.
casey33
260 posts
 
You kids kill me "In the past,I believe that people did listen through only one speaker!" Before that,even paster,we listened directly to musicians playing, no speaker at all!At one time,much later,they tried to make us buy four speakers,but we wouldn't do it.Check out Gene Hackman in the film "The Conversation" for some truly hot one speaker action.
chashmal
605 posts
 
Years ago I had an old Altec triangular corner cabinet from the 50's. I used to listen to mono recordings through it alone, and it was really interesting. However I prefer mono through 2 speakers. I love the way it hangs in space.
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