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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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stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
To properly listen to mono you should cover one ear, otherwise the stereo perspective of using 2 ears will degrade the pure mono experience. I started with mono, 2 speakers are better.
plato
1,543 posts
 
My friend says that using a mono phono cartridge is the way to go... no vertical component in the groove wall and way less noise. He said there is a Denon model for less than $200 that is very good.

Other than that, I don't think it makes that much difference whether you listen to one or two speakers, although if you're listening directly on axis to only one speaker, the sound will likely be brighter and have less bass.
gawdbless's avatar
gawdbless
1,235 posts
 
Surely mono means one, and stereo means two, so if one listens
through 2 speakers, then surely it is stereo, no?
Or have I missed something?So, if one listens to a mono recording through four speakers is that then quadraphonic?,
remember that? good old Quad, died quicker than laserdisc.
Mono recordings indeed do sound excellently airy also, the sound I agree just hanging somewhere.
wildoats
339 posts
 
I listened to one speaker of the Beatles mono re-masters when I was getting one of my speakers re-foamed. It is much better with two.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
2 speakers but make sure you plug 1 ear.
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