I would argue the other way. Use photography as an analogy. If you enlarge a photo and the color balance of the enlargement is identical, then the process is neutral. That is, no colors are highlighted or muted (a stereo system is basically a signal enlarger). If the enlargement is blurred or distorted, then the process is not transparent - the lens could be low quality, defective or dirty. But it still may be neutral, and you may not discern it because of the distortion. Transparency is needed to see neutrality, IMO.
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 ?
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 ?
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- 13 posts total
Gs5556, good analogy. I guess the definition of "Neutral" in photography with respect to the color spectrum seems to agree with the definition in audio for frequency response. To my knowledge this is the usual meaning and the definition of neutral in general. Mrtennis, you interpretation of the term "Neutral" does in my opinion not agree with the generally accepted definition, and is rather based on your own subjective interpretation of the word. If you can find a good reference that defines the term Neutral in your way, please let me know: To MY knowledge the term Neutral is a very precise term and refers to the flatness of the frequency response only. The term you like to introduce would be more "Accuracy" to the source/truth etc. "Neutral" could be defined as a subset of "Accurat". Again from the Stereophile Glossary: accuracy - The degree to which the output signal from a component or system is perceived as replicating the sonic qualities of its input signal. An accurate device reproduces what is on the recording, which may or may not be an accurate representation of the original sound. Maybe this helps to clarify the use of terms. Best wishes, Rene |
For the automobile engine analogy, Watts = HP, Volts is analogous to Torque and the amps are analogous to the rpm of the engine. HP=C x Torque x RPM. The analogy is not quite accurate, since HP is actually a rate of work done in electricity the term Watts is the amount of work done and not the rate. At any rate, the analogy doesn't serve any usefull purpose, since not manny people understand the distinction between Torque and HPower and thus only confuses the issue!. Bob P., |
The distinction is actually one of some subtlety requiring experience to discern. Neutrality is a lack of tonal coloration, transparency the absence of distortion that would interfere with the clarity and detail of music. Neutrality is a quality often associated with audio components made in Switzerland and other nonaligned countries, transparency a quality often associated with audio components having parts fabricated from glass. Thorens turntables are neutral; Rega turntables are transparent. Or something like that... |
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