2. speakers
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Make speakers disappear. Simple, cheap

My pet peave...

This simple visual trick is without question the biggest improvement in creating the illusion of stereo image that I've ever done. The illusion created is amazing and the improvement is HUGE. However I rarely see it used in two channel systems. I don't see any You tube reviewers using this illusion. When I go to audio shows it amazes me how MOST of the displays overlook this simple trick. (there are a small handfull of high end displays that get it)

I also have difficulty getting anyone to try this effect. It's too much of a commitment? WAF factor maybe??  They spend 10's of thousands on equiptment then miss the target on the biggest improvement of all!!

I'm flabbergasted when I see PS Audio new listening rooms that completely miss the mark on this illusion. Their rooms are bright as day and there is ZERO abience created. I think Pauls wife decorated the rooms and unfortunatley knows nothing about lighting.

You need to create the 'canvas' for the image to appear.The back wall behind the speakers should be flat black and as dark as possible. NO lights on the center back wall. My favorite is a matte dark black fabric that also aids in reducing reflections off the sheetrock.

You want to create the illusion that there is NO back wall. Just a deep, dark abyss from which the instruments will magically appear. This can be further enhanced by dimming the lights elsewhere in the room. Much like a movie theater. Ever notice a broadway play or a Las Vegas magic show is all about controlled lighting?  

It's also a great effect to hi-light the speakers face with very low level up light. (Cheap at Ikea) or even a candle will do. Gentle lighting in front of the speakers or a down spot light in the middle of the room can even make the back wall darker.

Black paint will also work but I prefer a dark velour fabric.

The effect is dramatic and absolutely worth the little cost and effort yet no one does it. 

 

gdaddy1

Showing 2 responses by treitz3

treitz3's avatar
treitz3
46 posts
 

When a system performs so superbly, even if your eyes are open and you have visual cues and a true 3-D experience? When a system makes you want to close your eyes to experience even more? 

That's when you know you are listening to a stellar system. 

Tom

treitz3's avatar
treitz3
46 posts
 

A book could literally be written about some of the questions presented in the last two posts. Near field is something that I have done before, but isn’t my typical listening style. It can sound fantastic, and has, especially when there are no side walls and there is a valley behind you. 

If you are wondering how that was achieved, we set up an outdoor system on a porch that forced you to sit near field. The side walls were pretty much non-existent, because to the Left, only a foot worth of a stone chimney darted out from the wall 17 feet away (fireplace was inside) and there was nothing on the other side. Behind us, the mountain literally dropped off a cliff hundreds of feet below us and didn’t come back up for about a 1/4 mile. That was the absolute best I have ever heard a near field setup. 

You do speak truth, in that the microphones do not capture things the way our ears do. That said, the recording and mastering engineers have ways to manipulate the sound, that "recreates" the event, according to how they want it to sound. The best we can ever hope for is the best "approximation" of the original event. Even with the best gear, microphone placement, mastering and recording techniques. Even when utilizing one’s favorite playback format. At the end of the day, it's still just an approximation. 
 

Tom

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