Mono recordings - Listen with one speaker or two??

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.

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.

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.

If you are listening to the two speakers from a position which is centered between them, then the fact that there are two speakers would have the advantage of tending to smooth out unwanted room effects. So two speakers would likely be better in that situation than listening to a single speaker directly in front of you.

If you are listening from random other positions around the room, then I would imagine that having a single speaker might be better, because with two speakers comb filtering effects might arise due to having the same sound reaching your ears at multiple arrival times.

I've listened to numerous mono recordings (classical) with two speakers, from a properly centered listening position, and I've never sensed anything amiss. Like Chashmal, "I love the way it hangs in space."

Regards,
-- Al

five speakers if you like...or earbuds.