How important is it for you to attain a holographic image?

Maybe we should ask this question differently.

If you had to sacrifice something, which would you sacrifice first:

• Smooth FR
• Bass
• Imaging

For me, I'd sacrifice imaging first.

Another recent example was the McIntosh XR50.

Great transparency, and imaging when vocals weren’t rattling the driver frame. :)

Of course, having it all is ideal, but I have so far seen frequency response and imaging to be independent features in most speakers.

I guess this is what should separate the truly great from merely useful speakers. :)


Best,
E

Do you realize that it is impossible not to have these things, and at the same time to have "holography".

I think it depends on what we are calling holography. If you mean a precise or too-precise stereo image, then no, you are not restricted to the FR like I have proposed. As I have mentioned, there are tweaks that enhance imaging at the expense of the FR.

Separately in another thread I discussed a speaker with very good imaging, and exaggerated vocal sounds.

This is a perfect example. Great imaging, wide sweet spot, and a FR that is not that natural to my ears.



Best,
E

The best imaging I've ever heard however was from a HT system running Neo6 in music mode.

It filled in the center very nicely.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying there's NO imaging. lots have studies have proven our ear/brain mechanism along with HRTF can localize objects in a 3D space!!

I'm just saying, I've heard speakers do it MORE than real.

The Guitarron was really interesting because even though it is a plucked instrument, it's sound is pretty low, as low as a double bass to my ears.

Best,
E

Hey Gang,

So this past weekend I heard a 3 piece mexican acoustic band at a restaurant. A harpist, guitar, and something that looked like a very fat guitar, called a guitarron.

Interestingly, I could place the harp and guitar, but not the guitarron. I was looking right at them, about 15' away.

Also, it reset my expectation for what 3D sound is like in real life. I still like my original statements: Live music is not that holographic, but we may sure like it. :)

E

I was thinking about this some more. I think there are a couple of things I'd rather have more than holography:
1. Smooth FR. One that does not call attention to itself, but feels effortless in dynamic range and endless to the edges in the bass and the treble.

2. Transparency. To me, what I mean is the aural equivalent of standing on a mountain top, and realizing you can see for miles farther than you ever could.

Both of those characteristics matter a lot more to me than imaging. And imaging is important.

Best,
E

First, I think it's important to reset with going to a symphony now and then and closing your eyes.

We rarely get holographic sound in person.

But we may desire it, especially since we cannot see the musicians.

And possible, depends on the recordings, but I will say my experience is that you can improve the holography by improving acoustics in the same plane.

Also, I believe there's serious trade offs. Imagine may be enhanced at the loss of treble, or lower midrange. When I hear cables enhancing the imaging, it seems this is always a trade off.

But always, to your own ears and pleasure be true. "realism" is oversold.