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In Reply to: What makes an amplifier have a deep soundstage? posted by Doughter on March 28, 2007 at 05:38:14:
The answer is a complex one and really requires two sets of explanations:1) How the human ear/brain combination detects/decodes the spatial cues of direction and distance.
2) How recording engineers capture/generate these cues
This response will not attempt a detailed explanation, but just touch on the key aspects.
The spatial cues are perceived using three main indicators:
a) Timing
b) Phase
c) IntensityBecause we have two ears, most of the subconscious analysis is based on relative or differential values perceived for each of these indicators.
Let's take the simplest first - Intensity.
In early stereo recordings, the only real spatial information incorporated was "lateral directional" (or "left/right") and this was achieved using differential intensity between left and right channels.
In this way, a signal that was louder from the left than from the right was perceived to come from the left, etc.
Timing (or, more correctly, differential timing) is also "decoded" to assist with directional and to capture some of the distance-related information.
The ear can detect a time difference as slight as 30 microseconds. Both the comparison of left and right ear receptions and the evaluation of the sound’s intensity are done automatically, without any conscious thought, allowing us to identify the approximate location of the origin of a sound.
Phase-related information plays the major role is determining distance, while also conveying some some directional cues.
By combining all three of these, the human ear/brain combination is able to locate a sound source in three dimensions.
So, if we accept the above elements, then the characterists of an amplifier that delivers a deep soundstage need to include accurate and faithful reproduction of:
- Timing
- Phase
- IntensityNext, we need to consider that the amplifier, on it's own, simply cannot deliver anything but a modulated electrical signal, sourced from elsewhere, to a set of speakers and that it's actually the "whole" that delivers the required accuracy in these three areas.
One critical aspect is the interface between the amplifier and the speakers - and here is where a high damping factor can contribute by helping to maintain enough control over the drivers to improve the accuracy of the air pressure modulation to that of the electrical signal.
Isn't nature wonderful?
DevillEars
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Follow Ups
- Some thoughts and ideas on the subject (long-ish) - DevillEars 13:46:14 03/28/07 (0)
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