So, being an audio nut with a fascination with music and sound reproduction in general, I wanted to share an interesting link. This is from Princeton University, and is research concerning the fundamental aspect of spatial hearing in humans. For those who have read about ambisonics and other odd-ball approaches, this will ring a bell. The research is not about creating an enveloping soundscape a la surround sound, but rather a realistically three dimentional sonic image. Be sure to watch the video on this page, the bug circling your head effect really works.
http://www.princeton.edu/3D3A/index.htmlThis made me ponder my little se84 amps and their ability to pull off a rather compelling semblance of 3-D imaging. If the Princeton guys can make a fly buzz around your head from two forward located speakers using cross-talk cancellation/manipulation, what do my se84 amps do in terms of crosstalk, and how may that be influencing the perceived image?
There are a couple aspects of the se84 amps relevant to cross-talk and how it may be doing some interesting things. First, the "Carver effect", i.e. high output impedance mediated speaker microphonicity; your speakers pick up the sound of the room and play it back at you, which would involve considerable cross-talk and phase differences; and second, shared cathode resistors in the circuit. What I wonder is if this mish-mash of real, measurable cross-talk effects have direct bearing on holographic trickery? It sure is enjoyable, whatever the cause.
I think this may be why I prefer se84 amps in stereo over bridged se84 amps; the bridged amps obviously don't share cathode resistors between channels, and so that ingredient of the holographic pie is missing.
Feel free to discuss, hopefully while enjoying the music.