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From: lauck@bergil.DEC
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: Stereo Imaging at Live Concerts
Message-ID: <2392@decwrl.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 30-May-85 19:24:08 EDT
Article-I.D.: decwrl.2392
Posted: Thu May 30 19:24:08 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 1-Jun-85 04:05:21 EDT
Sender: daemon@decwrl.UUCP
Organization: DEC Engineering Network
Lines: 26

The quality of stereo imaging at live concerts has been called into question 
recently by net.audio, as have, by implication, those audiophiles who expect 
concert hall realism in their audio systems.  I've had some bad experiences 
in some halls, especially with bad seats or nearly empty halls.  But this is 
NOT always the case.

Recently, I attended a National Philharmonic concert at Kennedy center in 
D.C.  The program was Mahler's Third Symphony.  I sat in the 8th row, right 
side.  In all respects the sound staging and imaging were superb, exceeding 
the capabilities of any high end audio system I've heard.  This was not a 
visual illusion, since my perceptions were unaffected by closing my eyes.

I did notice one curious effect.  In several of the loudest "tutti" passages 
the sound levels became suffiently intense that my ears began to distort.  
The result was a brief "collapse" of the sound-stage and a blending of the
individual sounds.  I have never noticed this effect before in a live 
concert.  Perhaps it was a result of my closeness to the orchestra. I would 
estimate that the peak levels reached 115db.

In short, the qualities of imaging that the high end is seeking are indeed 
the qualities obtainable in the concert hall.  I recommend that any doubters 
purchase good seats in a good hall for a good concert.


                           Tony Lauck
                          ...decvax!decwrl!rhea!bergil!lauck