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neutrality & transparency: what's the difference ?

neutral and transparency are often considered the same by some hobbyists.

in fact they are not.

neutrality implies no alteration of the signal, whatsoever.
i have used the term "virtually" neutral to imply no audible coloration. of course this is a subjective term.

transparency is a subset of neutrality. it implies a perfectly clear window on the recording.

let me illustrate. suppose an amplifier has a slight deficiency in bass reproduction, e.g., it cannot reproduce any frequencies below 40 hz. that amplifier would not be considered a neutral component.

if said amp reproduced all "information" on a recroding within its range, i.e., above 40 to whatever, without covering up any detail, it would be a transparent device.

thus transparent includes the pssibility of an error, but also implies the passing of all information within the range or capability of the component.

transparency is a subjective term. often when used it means "virtual" transparency because it is possible a component may be hiding information that one is not aware of, but yet one perceives that no information is missing.

any thoughts ?
mrtennis

Showing 1 response by mrtennis

mrtennis OP
3,295 posts
 
by neutrality, i mean accurate or the truth. if the input doesn't equal the output, there is inaccuracy, error hence not accurate not neutral.

transparency is a window on the music, if a component(s) is restricted in frequency response, and a source is also restricted in frequency response , i.e., within the range of the equipment, the result is transparency. you hear what is on the recording.

if there is some veiling, but very slight, you may still hear everything on the recording. however, in this case the result is less clear the the recording, hence not the truth, not neutrality, not accurate, but possibly transparent enough to be assigned the term

since perfection does not exist, there is no absolute transparency there is inaccuracy.

however, for listening purposes, audibility, one acknowledges imperfection and still uses the term transparency.

i still maintain that if a stereo system/compent is virtually neutral, transparency is implied.

if a stereo system is virtually transparent, virtual neutrality may or may not exist.

the attribute of virtual neutrality is more rigorous in its requirements than that of virtual transparency
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