Analytical observations.


From NYT Science article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/06/science/06sound.html?_r=1&ref=science
siddh

Showing 4 responses by plato

The article makes some interesting points about acoustics and psycoacoustics... but it does read like one big commercial for Audyssey receivers with digital room correction...
Really Siddh? Did you ever hear such a system properly set up with decent components? Just curious...
So Neil does that mean you got rid of your speakers and now listen only to binaural recordings on headphones? Do tell, is there a large catalog of binaural recordings?

I chose the other route and now use a Lyngdorf DPA-1 digital preamp with room correction built in. It works wonders in my room. The system is better balanced and a lot more detailed, which also translates to more engaging and musical. In fact, my listening session today made me wonder how I got by without room correction for so long. I was playing Rodrigo y Gabriela's 11:11 and there were copious details on that excellent recording that I had never heard before (anywhere).

Cheers!
Siddh, I'm glad you clarified the purpose of your post as it was not quite clear.

I likewise have heard (and presently own) a two-channel system with excellent imaging, depth and marvelous tonal colors. That said, I'm sure it could be improved even more by inserting a Lyngdorf Room Perfect component.

One of the great benefits of using room correction like the Lyngdorf is that you can lay in other voicing curves (subtly different from one another) at the touch of a button, to get the best possible presentation from any given recording (both in the main listening position and in other positions you select during set up in your room).

For me, that kind of awesome control and flexibility is surely worth the price of admission. That and the fact that it sounds wonderful and can replace 3 or 4 other pieces of gear. In fact, I just sold my Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2 because with the Lyngdorf it was no longer needed. I also removed a very good tube line stage because it didn't improve anything.

On the other hand, in another room I have a 5.1-channel Home Theater setup and it sounds marvelous because the room is excellent. Still, it does not approach the ultimate transparency and majesty of the Lyngdorf 2-channel system, which admittedly uses higher-end components throughout.

The bottom line is that it does not take more than 2 stereo channels to get great sound and imaging in a given room. We seem to be in agreement on that point.