Can a system sound too Holographic?

@carlsbad2

I would like to hear other opinions here about the meaning of "holographic", but I don’t agree with yours. I always understood it to mean three dimensional images of voices and instruments. I have only heard it in person twice. Once was a pair of Watt Puppy 5’s, and there did seem to be ghosts of the singer and the instruments in three-dimensional space, but overall, I didn’t like the sound as it was too thin.

As far as something being "too holographic", I can’t imagine what that person was hearing when he said it, but he was probably describing some other sonic anomaly and using the wrong word.

If a holographic soundstage is part of the recording, too holographic has never been a problem for me. If the system is generating it, then yes....I suppose too much could happen and would be less desirable, but I can think of worse traits.

@knotscott

Yeah...if he said, it was too bright, too forward or added an metallic sheen to everything then I could understand that being an issue. But he claims he is trying to get use to it. We shall see lol

@aniwolfe

Yeah...if he said, it was too bright, too forward or added an metallic sheen to everything then I could understand that being an issue. But he claims he is trying to get use to it. We shall see lol

Audio is a journey that often has a different route and destination for different people. A lot of systems add significant coloration that might be perceived as "pleasant" by some. Not my cup of tea, but I can certainly understand how someone might enjoy it, and might not want to know the audio truth that could interfere with their enjoyment of the music. My wife for example! 😉

One of the most incredible system I have ever heard was a Wilson Bamm or Wham or something like that / Rowland. The system was set up perfectly. Images were precise and sounded spherical suspended in the sound stage… one 12’ forward 3’ above the floor at 10 o’clock, another 5’ above the floor and 6’ at 2 o’clock… like that. It was the most incredible experience I ever had. I came away just blown away, saying… “That is the most incredible thing I have ever heard… I do not want that… but that is incredible.

So, yes.

Some folks want to be engulfed in sound… enfolded, or have a wall wash over them. Holographic imaging does not do that to them. So, yes again. You’ll see some dynamic speakers system six feet high with tons of midrange and woofers. Typically those are designed for more of a wall of sound and less for holographic sound.