The size of instruments

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karatestu
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The size of instruments

Unread post by karatestu »

Over the 15 years I have been reading audio forums, articles etc on the internet I have often come across comments like "I didn't like speaker x because the trumpet image was 6ft tall or wide"

I have never listened for such things in a recording. I have been listening for it recently though since I became active in improving the imaging and sound staging of my semi omni diy efforts. Not found any 6ft high instruments yet but I am on the look out. I can't deny the fact now that good imaging and staging can increase your enjoyment of music as long as other aspects of why you like a speaker are not compromised.

Surely this can be a result of the recording and not always the speaker. I am not saying a speaker can't be imposing this sort of anomaly on its own but I have never noticed it.

If there are speakers that do this then is it really that important ? Can it spoil your enjoyment of the music ? I suppose it is important to imaging and stage freaks. I am worrying that now I am noticing the improvement in these aspects as I am improve the diffraction of my diy speakers, I am turning into an imaging freak myself :shock:

I need help.
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Re: The size of instruments

Unread post by CN211276 »

karatestu wrote: Wed Jun 23, 2021 10:53 am

Surely this can be a result of the recording and not always the speaker. I am not saying a speaker can't be imposing this sort of anomaly on its own but I have never noticed it.



I need help.
I believe it is all down to the recordings and mixing, certainly where my Cubes and system are concerned. It is not just the size of the lead instrument but also its level in the mix. Most of what I listen to contains solos, usually electric guitar, ond its size and level in the mix can vary. On some recordings, usually metal, it can be too high and prominant, but this is down to the engineer, or the ego of the musician, not the system. With most of the bands I like the level sounds more or less right.
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Re: The size of instruments

Unread post by Fretless »

If it was a Miles Davis album then the trumpet was MEANT to be 6ft tall and wide.

Groovy, man. :dance:

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Re: The size of instruments

Unread post by terrybooth »

I think we need to remember that reproduced music is fundamentally NOT live music, it's an artifice. Yes, live music is also an artifice of room effects, audience, the pa and so on, but it is much more immediate that someone spending months (years in some cases) in a studio trying to get something down on an artificial media (i.e. not an immediate audience) usually using many layers of technology before it reaches a stasis (either an analogue or digital representation. Then it has to go through all the vagaries of people's music systems and rooms before it reaches a person again.

I think it's a bit of a miracle (mostly down to the power of music on the human psyche) that it works at all and that you get some sort of thrill from it-does it really matter if the guitar is 6ft long and the piano sounds like it's in the next room (or whether you are in the mosh pit or the gods), so long as the music reaches you?
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Re: The size of instruments

Unread post by Fretless »

The lounge system, where the turntable is, is not placed for audiophile standards but for convenience. My sitting position is then exactly inbetween the two speakers, with them about 3m away on either side.

It sounds great. I don't care (yet).

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Re: The size of instruments

Unread post by savvypaul »

I tend to take it as it comes. If it's on the recording, it's on the recording. BUT, if the system is adding the effect, then that's a problem.

I like believable imaging and realistic placement of vocals. Why wouldn't you?

When someone says 'too large' do they really mean 'not focussed'?
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Re: The size of instruments

Unread post by Daniel Quinn »

I listen to 70s rock music . I don't think they bothered with soundstaging.

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Re: The size of instruments

Unread post by NSNO2021 »

karatestu wrote: Wed Jun 23, 2021 10:53 am

I need help.
Stu, we all need help, you and I more than most it would seem :lol:
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karatestu (Thu Jun 24, 2021 6:11 am)
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Re: The size of instruments

Unread post by CN211276 »

Daniel Quinn wrote: Wed Jun 23, 2021 2:17 pm I listen to 70s rock music . I don't think they bothered with soundstaging.
I think there was better soundstaging, intentionally or not, at that time than since.
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Re: The size of instruments

Unread post by antonio66 »

I've mentioned this before but I heard the Focal Grande Utophia at a show, playing at the time was an acoustic guitar piece, the image right between the speakers was of a 9' guitar, nothing wrong with the sound, but it was certainly a distraction, and took away the enjoyment of the music.
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