The plot thickens.
Tekton Design - New IRL Technology - Lifelike, Real, Immersive
Consider the last time you were in an airport, or walking down a busy street, and heard the sound of a real live instrument. Did you know the instrument was real before you saw it? If you are like me, you may have had many experiences walking in a crowded and noisy environment, but were still able to pick out the sound of a violin, or guitar, recognizing immediately that it was a real instrument. Now for a moment of honesty – how many times have you confused your stereo for the sound of a real instrument?
A couple of weeks ago I was invited by Tekton Design’s Eric Alexander to listen to his new patented recording and playback system, that he has dubbed “IRL” (In Real Life). Eric was excited and described an audio technology that seemed a little too good to be true. I tend to be a skeptic, and the more excited someone is about an idea, the more skeptical I become. That said, I obliged and visited Eric’s shop, and was completely blown away by what I heard.
IRL is a technology that could be the end of two-channel audio as we know it. In short, IRL produced the most lifelike, real, and immersive hifi experience I have ever had. Period. The music coming from an IRL playback system just sounds real. Eric played a demo reel of various sounds, like birds chirping, a train passing, and F-35 jets taking off from Hill Airforce Base. The sounds were absolutely lifelike, and sounded like they were coming from every angle! In the portion of the reel where birds were chirping, there is a Cessna flying overhead, and I looked up above me to see the Cessna. The F-35’s sound just like they are going overhead then into the distance, and the passing train sounded as if a locomotive was actually passing through the room! Incredible.
Music was even more impressive. Audiophiles always like to talk about separation between instruments, timbre, and imaging. IRL destroyed every concept I have about what “stereo imaging” could be. Musical instruments sound real, as if the player is really in the room. I know the hyperbole of many reviewers often claim that stereos can image like the musician is in the room, but this was next level. Close mike’d Piano’s sounded like they were right in front of me, and the timbre of different pianos was immediately distinguishable. Eric also recorded a jazz session with artists including Billy Drummond and John Hébert, and the experience was as close as I have heard to hearing the same thing in person.
From a technical standpoint, IRL records music using an array of four microphones, and plays back using four speakers (a 5.1 audio format can be used by omitting the center channel). The speakers are arrayed with two being to the front in normal stereo positioning, and two flanking to the left and right facing inwards at 90 degrees, and just slightly behind the listening position. From what I could tell, the system didn’t quite project a full 360-degree sound field (I don’t think I heard sounds directly behind me), but it was pretty close. I also don’t know if it could reproduce sounds directly behind the listener, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it could. The sounds that were both slightly behind and overhead were uncanny in their realism.
Maybe one of the most remarkable things about the demo was the equipment Eric was playing it on. It wasn’t special. We are talking Crown amplifiers, a 5.1 audio receiver, and an iMac. Not the equipment that audiophile dreams are made of. But despite all of that, this lowly equipment produced an audio experience I haven’t had with any stereo system, regardless of price.
I hope to write more about this in the upcoming months in Stereo Times after I get a couple more listening sessions in. For the time being, it suffices to say that I think this technology could be game changing. I know Eric has been running all kinds of people through his demo system: musicians, engineers, audiophiles. The feedback has been very consistent, from what he tells me – extremely positive. But, if you are curious and want to hear what is possible with IRL technology, give Eric a call. I am sure he’d invite and welcome you for a listen.
Be warned. You’ll may never be satisfied by your stereo rig again.
133 responses Add your response
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That sums up exactly my attitude and opinion going into the demo. But look, I've spent my fair share of time obsessing about getting the best possible out of my stereo gear, like a lot of people here have. I think I've got a good sounding setup, but when I got back from the demo, I thought it sounded like the faint outlines of music. There's a fair amount of concerts recorded in 5.1 out there. For the most part, they sound good; but, they don't necessarily sound like you are AT the concert. Surround sound and and IRL are trying to achieve the same thing. I think IRL does a much better job of it. |
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There were four channels on the recordings. One channel for each speaker. Part of the patent is on the microphone array, another on the processing of the channels, and another on the speaker array and playback (I think). That said, Eric mentioned that there is some processing that could be done to traditional stereo recordings to make them play back with more separation and dimensionality on an IRL system, though it wouldn't be to the same degree as an actual IRL recording. |
Thanks @willrich47, you just gave us a peek at the distant future. As long as my generation is still around, they will cling to their vinyls, turntables, class A amps, two channel systems and $500k floor standing speakers. I am grateful they let flat screen TV in but newer technologies such as DSP, digital, class D amps and multi channel systems will just have to wait till that generation dies out to see their full potential. Sorry about my bitter rant in your otherwise illuminating thread. |
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*has patented. I was able to find two on google patents last time I looked.
I am describing a couple of new patents obtained by Eric Alexander that outline a new method for the recording and playback of music, with my thoughts about how that sounds on a prototype system. I do not know how or when said patents will be monetized. There is nothing that can be purchased at this juncture: "no 'Tekton Recordings,'" no Tekton quadrophonic system, no special speakers. I am merely commenting on a new technology that was very impressive to me, and that I feel audiophiles would be interested in. Nothing more. “Cling.” That’s an interesting and appropriate adjective to use to describe some of the reactions to this thread! Another great adjective for this thread is “irony.” I think the goal of many audiophiles is to assemble a music playback system that allows them to get as close to the sound of “real” music as possible. The irony here is that even though I’ve suggested that there is a method of reproducing music that is much closer to that audiophile ideal, most of the posts in this thread are hopelessly fixated on speakers (and especially tweeters). While I don’t necessarily think that progress in the audio industry need be stifled by waiting “…till that generation dies out…,” your commentary on human nature and the desire to cling to that which is familiar is apropos. |
@willrich47 - very intriguing! Is Eric planning to demo this at an upcoming audio show or some such event? |
Interesting thread! Although we hear in binaural fashion, hearing impediments aside, the world comes at us from all directions. I think part of the reason why "stereo" is the dominant playback method was the technology for both recording and playback that was available at the time. Quad was an attempt at presenting a more realistic aural presentation. I did not say "sound stage" as that would imply that the performance was coming exclusively from in front via a "stage". Now that HT is here with it's digital technology, there are more possibilities on how to present a "soundstage" of course. Part of the trouble for us as music aficionados is however that in HT recordings, the sound is manipulated artificially with regards to placement in the soundstage. That CGI spacefighter, that doesn't really exist in the first place but sounds like it's coming from over your left shoulder, was put there by a sound engineer. What ostensibly we are listening for as music fans is an accurate representation of a musical performance. Not many of those are done "in the round" with the audience at the center. The french horns don't usually fly around the room! 😀 Please understand: I'm not deriding Mr. Alexander's work, nor even the OP's post. I'm simply curious as to how IRL will work with existing stereo recordings.
Happy listening.
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I believe so; not sure when though. Describing it is one thing – actually hearing it is another. Quite frankly, describing the system is challenging because we already have things like 5.1 surround, binaural recordings, and Dolby Atmos, and people (rightly so) think to themselves "how’s this different" or "why does it matter"? What I can tell you is that when I first listened I was expecting to hear a sound that was "gimmicky," but was quickly shaking my head in disbelief with how realistic IRL sounded. A lot of people just won’t "get it" until they hear it, and at least until there’s some version of IRL that is commercially available, an audio show may be the best way to get people to experience it. |
1. Don't know. I don't think there needs to be any special format, I think a standard 5.1 format could work. 2. I don't know what Tekton has in mind. Eric didn't mention any special hardware to be sold by Tekton. |
A professional audio reviewer clearly posted and stated he was "completely blown away by what I heard." Respectfully, it's looking like most of you skipped right over his review to go on the attack. As a lifelong musician, audiophile, audio designer, and the designer of the technology in question here my advice is to believe his words - ALL OF THEM. My promise is this technology will confound all preconceived notions, astound, and amaze. Sincerely, Eric Alexander - audio designer |
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