March1960 Electronics World
Table of Contents
Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics. See articles
from
Electronics World, published May 1959
- December 1971. All copyrights hereby acknowledged.
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Perhaps one of the most frustrating
situations to find yourself in if you are a hard core audiophile is being an unmarried
enlisted man in the military, living in the barracks. Unlike residing in a college dorm
where comparatively there is no iron hand of peaceful existence enforcement to quell
a desire for music hall sound levels with bass saturation that can rock you off your
chair (other than dorm mates threatening to beat you to a pulp), in a military establishment
there is an immediate threat of arrest, rank demotion, monetary fines, or a
letter of
reprimand (aka nonpunitive punishment) for blasting a stereo (and your barrack mates
might beat you to a pulp). One guy I shared a USAF barracks room with had a couple thousand
dollars worth of stereo equipment in a 19" rack in the room. It had something like a
1,000 watt quad speaker amplifier (vacuum tubes for the output drivers of course - none
of those emotionless transistors), reel-to-reel tape deck, dual cassette tape deck, AM
/ FM / shortwave tuner, professional quality turntable with a precision balanced tone
arm and jeweled stylus, quad channel equalizer, and other gizmos that I can't recall
what they were. Oh, and of course there were four monster speakers with finely tuned
crossover networks for sub-bass, bass, midrange, and tweeter speakers. On Saturday nights
sometimes a pre-arranged demonstration of the system's capability was given. Boston's
"Don't Look Back"
would be played on the reel-to-reel and the volume cranked up (turntable couldn't be
used because the vibration would cause it to skip). After the bodies got up off the room
and hallway floors, congratulations and beers went 'round. Base security probably thought
an explosion had been detonated on the base.
See also "Room
Acoustics for Stereo" in the February 1960 issue of Electronics World.
More About Wide-Stage Stereo
By Paul W. Klipsch / Klipsch and Associates,
Inc.
For stereo coverage of a wide listening area the addition of a center channel speaker
along with a pair of corner speaker systems is recommended.
Stereo enhances reproduced sound by supplying the sensations of depth, improved definition,
and enlargement of apparent volume of the listening room.
Defining "high-fidelity" as the accurate reproduction of original tonality has its
counterpart in stereo as the accurate reproduction of the geometry of the original sound.
The two should convey to the listener the mental picture of the original sound, both
in tonality and geometry. The essentials of stereo are:
1. Breadth or apparent width of the sound source.
2. Spatial continuity or a continuum of sound rather than several point sources.
3. Directionality or the ability of the observer to locate sounds across the stage
in approximately the locations as originally generated.
Fig. 1 - Arrangements used in experiments.
Steinberg and Snow1 showed that three sound channels were necessary and
sufficient to achieve a reasonable approach to these requirements. Experiments by this
writer confirm their conclusions, including the feasibility of deriving three channels
from two sound tracks.
Fig. 2 - (A) Actual locations of sound sources. (B) Apparent locations
with two speakers. (C) Apparent locations with center speaker added. (D) Apparent locations
during live listening experiment.
Fig. 3 - Bass response of speaker system.
Two-Speaker Stereo
The author's own early experiments in stereo led to the conclusion that if two speakers
were far enough apart to produce a satisfactory stage width, there was a tendency toward
a two-source effect.
In a 16 foot by 25 foot room, the various arrangements of speakers shown in Fig. 1
were tried. In Fig. 1A, the stereo effect was noted only at close proximity to the array;
in Figs. 1B and 1C, the listening distance was greater but the two-source or "hole-in-the-middle"
effect was objectionable. In Fig. 1D there was a lack of stereo effect while in Fig.
1E, the stereo effect was evident, but the dependence on wall reflections resulted in
poor mid- and high-frequency response and a hole-in-the-middle. In all cases, focus of
a soloist was possible only for one listener on the axis of symmetry.
Phantom Center Speaker
The derivation of a phantom center channel has been the subject of a number of articles
but seems to have been done first by Steinberg and Snow in 1933. The manner of derivation
has been discussed in various publications.2,3,4
Qualitatively, the derived third channel resulted in retention of the geometric integrity
of a string quartet and a large orchestra; a soloist standing some six feet to the left
of the podium was reproduced a little to the left of the center speaker.
Quantitatively, a study was made of the geometry of reproduction.3 Sounds
were generated in the pattern shown in Fig. 2A. With a two-speaker playback, an observer
plotted the apparent sound sources as shown in Fig. 2B. With the three-channel playback
using the derived center channel, a typical observation was that of Fig. 2C. As a "control"
the same observer listening to the original sound (not over the loudspeakers) plotted
the apparent sources as shown in Fig. 2D. The sounds were generated by a person speaking
at the indicated locations, outdoors, and reproduced in a 16 foot by 25 foot room with
speakers on the 25-foot wall. The results in Fig. 2D were obtained with the observer
wearing a hood so he could see to plot his results but could not see the person speaking
at the indicated locations.
Observers as much as 11 feet off-axis plotted results which were almost as accurate
as those shown. This corroborates the work of Steinberg and Snow, indicating only small
shifts of the virtual sources as the observer moves in front of a three-channel array.
Fig. 4 - Increase in area of stereo effect.
Phantom-Channel Theory
The philosophy behind the phantom-channel technique may be stated as follows:
If two microphones are properly placed relative to each other and to the sound source,
their combined output is that of a single microphone in the middle; this microphone "that
wasn't there" can be reproduced by re-combination. The output of an actual third microphone
can also be recovered by re-combination.
In practice, this combination may be accomplished by simple addition. The theory of
the third channel derived from two sound tracks is still being developed, but it appears
that crosstalk is subordinate to signal mutuality. (Crosstalk is the inadvertent transfer
of signal from one channel to another; signal mutuality is the natural consequence of
one microphone in a stereo array picking up signals pertinent to other microphones.7)
The fact that the center channel carries sound from the flanks as well is true whether
the channel is derived or independent. Experience shows that with proper adjustment of
levels, a high degree of accuracy of geometric reproduction may be obtained with either
the derived or independent center channel. As little as 2 db can produce a shift in the
virtual sound source.
Speaker Placement
In the experiments involved with Fig. 2, the flanking speakers were placed in corners.
This was deemed desirable for improved stereo geometry and also for improved tonality.
Referring again to Figs. 1A, 1B, and 1C, no sound appears to come from outside the speaker
array. Although the arrangement of Fig. 1E produced a "wide-stage" effect, it could not
fulfill the requirements either of good geometry or good tonality. Thus, the arrangement
of Fig. 1C plus a center channel was regarded as the only feasible array.
Fig. 5 - Simple method of obtaining the phantom channel after the
power amplifiers. Speakers have 16-ohms impedance and equal efficiency. Connection to
400hm tap results in half (3 db less) power to center speaker.
Fig. 6 - Deriving the center channel.
Fig. 7 - Method proposed of combining the same polarity signals without
cancellation.
Fig. 8 - This circuit may upset feedback ratio and cannot be used
in all amplifiers.
Fig. 9 - Another method proposed by the author to obtain a sum and
difference phantom-channel signal with 1:1 transformer.
Fig. 10 - Method of obtaining a sum signal from two power amplifiers
by first reversing phase of one of the input signals.
Monophonically the speaker response is improved by corner placement as a result of:
1. Complete room coverage with 90-degree tweeter radiation angle; 2. Better tonality
or response; and 3. Accuracy in the lower three octaves of response.
Fig. 3 illustrates the benefits to be derived from corner placement - as far as tonality
is concerned. A 15-inch driver unit in a 6.7-cubic-foot closed box on legs was tested
four feet from the walls at a corner, on the floor in the same place, and on the floor
in a corner. The curves show the responses for these various locations. Most noticeable
is the improvement below 60 cycles, but actually of comparable importance is the smoothing
out of the 100-200 cycle range.
One must conclude from this that tonality and geometry demand corner placement of
flanking speakers.
An experiment, not reported elsewhere, concerns a corner center speaker with wall-type
flanking units, arranged in an "L" configuration. It was found that the geometry of reproduction
was unnatural. Attempts to bring the center unit into proper geometry by increasing its
signal input had the effect of causing it to "jump forward" into monophonic prominence.
It is believed that the delay effects of some 5 to 10 milliseconds cannot be compensated
successfully by increasing the volume, at least experience thus far negates the use of
this configuration.
Corner placement permits the maximum separation and consequently the maximum listening
area. The listening area is proportional to the square of the distance of speaker separation.
(Refer to Fig. 4).
Outdoors, two speakers seven-feet apart could be detected as "stereo" at a distance
of more than 50 feet.5 Indoors, the distance decreased, with 14 feet providing
barely discernible stereo effect. The maximum satisfactory listening distance was about
7 to 10 feet. Wider speaker placement insures adequate angle while addition of the center
channel insures proper focusing so that the angular stage width becomes that of the original
sound. Recall that the string quartet and soloist were properly located on playback as
well as with a large orchestra.
Microphone Placement
Early stereo demonstrations appear to have concentrated on spectacular effects rather
than reproduction of true stereo geometry. One such appears to have achieved a "three-peep-hole"
playback effect by placing three microphones too close to the three separated sound sources.
Most current tapes and discs apparently have been cut using microphone placement
which is compatible with three-channel playback. The bulk of this author's experience
has been with two microphones. The current trend toward recording three sound tracks
and later dubbing these to two involves a technology which is an art and science in itself.
It is possible that microphone techniques which are capable of improving two-channel
playback will offer even greater benefits in playback using three channels.
Deriving the Phantom Channel
The re-combination to derive a center channel may be accomplished in various ways.
The original circuit2 is shown in Fig. 6. This represents a "sum" combination
while the "difference" circuit is shown in Fig. 5.
Systems using only two power amplifiers are based on intrinsic amplifier stability
(precluding types using "damping control" or other forms of positive feedback).
Some recordings have been encountered in which focus of the center channel required
a "sum" re-combination while others required a "difference" treatment. This option may
be taken using the circuits of Figs. 7, 8, and 9. Fig. 9 employs the Electro-Voice XT-1
1:1 transformer. Fig. 7 involves the use of a special coil which is still in the experimental
stage and not currently in production. It is believed the frequency at which 90-degree
phase shift occurs should be placed at about 100 cycles."
Fig. 8 derives the "sum" or "difference" without the exciting current and possible
distortion of an additional transformer or coil. Fig. 10 shows a "sum" signal derivation
using a preamplifier which permits a polarity reversal. ("Polarity" is used here rather
than phase. "Phase" is the angular relation between two directed quantities where the
angle may be any value while polarity applies to the special case where phase angles
are confined to 0, 180, and 360 degrees.)
All of the circuits, except that employing three amplifiers, assume speakers of approximately
the same sound pressure output per volt of input. Impedance mismatches have been made
in "tolerable" directions and assume speakers of 16-ohm nominal impedance. Output difference
up to 6 db may be compensated by choice of output taps in two-amplifier systems. Speakers
need not be of equal "efficiency" or output per volt input, but may differ as much as
6 db even in two-amplifier systems. Where a pad is indicated, the "L" pad is to be preferred
over a "T."
The theoretical level of the center channel has been derived as 3 db down from the
flanking channels2, but experience shows this to be a function of environment.
Room geometry has dictated center-channel levels from 0 to -9 db relative to the flanking
channels and these values may not include all extremes.
Latest Experiments
Stereo geometry experiments have been conducted comparing three independent channels
with two-track-derived three channels." These experiments are still under way but those
completed thus far indicate the two-microphone, two-track, three-channel system approaches
the three-microphone, three-track, three-channel system in performance and exceeds the
two-channel playback in accuracy of geometry.
This author is in agreement with Steinberg and Snow's' conclusions, i.e., that the
center channel is necessary for the preservation of a reasonable approximation of the
original geometry in stereo playback. Addition of the center channel permits wider spacing
of flanking speakers, culminating in the natural limiting case of corner placement and
the natural angular rotation of flanking units for complete coverage of the wide listening
area. Wide-stage stereo means wide listening area as well and the corner-limited arrays
permit full advantage to be taken of the improved tonality afforded by corner-placed
speakers and, preferably, corner-designed speakers.
References
1. Steinberg, J. C. & Snow, W. B.: "Symposium on Auditory Perspective-Physical
Factors," Electrical Engineering, January 1934.
2. Klipsch, Paul W.: "Stereophonic Sound with Two Track , Three Channels by Means
of Phantom Circuit, (2PH3)," Journal Audio Engineering Society, April 1958.
3. Klipsch,Paul W.: "Wide-Stage Stereo," IRE Transactions on Audio, July-August 1959.
4. Klipsch, Paul W.: "Circuits for Three Channel Stereophonic Playback Derived from
Two Sound Tracks (10 ways to do it)," IRE Transactions on Audio, November-December 1959.
5. Klipsch, Paul W.: "Corner Speaker Placement," Journal Audio Engineering Society,
July 1959.
6. Klipsch, Paul W.: "Three-Channel stereo Playback of Two Tracks Derived from. Three
Microphones," IRE Transactions on Audio, March-April 1959.
7. Klipsch, Paul W. & Avedon, Robert C.: "Signal Mutuality and Cross Talk in Two-and
Three-Track Three-Channel Stereo Systems," paper delivered before Audio Engineering Society
Convention, October 8, 1959.
Posted June , 2018
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