SI Super-T and speaker AB switch to ONE speaker

[Pano]

I see your point, but don't think it's that big an issue. Remember, each speaker will be getting the same channel. So the information and content would be the same, no matter what.

As for what might be missing, so what? Would you not use a symphonic recording because it's "missing" electic guitar? Or Nora Jones because it's "missing" a soprano? As long as each speaker under test gets an identical signal, it really doesn't matter.

Yes, ideally you would want a nicely summed mono signal, but that is only because you know that there are 2 channels on the CD. Your speaker neither knows nor cares.

[Taperwood]

Yes, ideally a nicely summed mono signal is best. That's what I need.

Everyone knows what the music is 'supposed' to sound like. I have to be able to hear that too. Would you demo one of your amps by only hooking up one speaker using a stereo source? Try it and see if you can accurately evaluate the sound of the amp.

Just two days ago, I was evaluating stuffing the compression chamber (the area directly behind the driver). I only put in a small amount, but it was enough that my wife came in from the other room and said "there's something wrong with that recording." The vocals were all wrong. Had I been listening to only one channel and had that part of the recording been mixed hotter in the other channel, it would have sounded entirely different, and I might have missed the problem.

Doug

[DcibeL]

Originally posted by Taperwood
Would you demo one of your amps by only hooking up one speaker using a stereo source?

No, but I wouldn't demo my amp by hooking it to one speaker with using a mono source either. It's a stereo amp and therefore requires 2 speakers to evaluate it's performance. That's like saying that you would demo your 2-way speaker by only hooking up the woofer. Yes, I do know your speaker is full range my point is that you are not evauating the amp or the source, you're evaluating the speaker.

Sorry, but I have to agree with panomaniac that it's not crucial to mix the 2 channels together into a mono track. However, I believe you have a few ideas now on how to get the job done, so it shouldn't matter what we think . Good luck with your speaker project!

[Taperwood]

Originally posted by DcibeL

No, but I wouldn't demo my amp by hooking it to one speaker with using a mono source either.

But you guys are asking me to evaluate how a recording will sound on a speaker by only using half the source. That's what I can't seem to get everyone to grasp.

I'm not listening for "air", "soundstage," "separation" or any of the other speaker buzzwords. I'm listening for resolution, clarity, tone, detail, speed, smoothness, and overall frequency response. At this point in my testing, it has nothing to do with 'stereo' I really do need to hear all the music as it was recorded, not half.

Anyway, I cannot thank everyone enough for helping me in this. I am greatly appreciative. I'm sorry I'm so ignorant regarding electronics.

Doug

[DcibeL]

Originally posted by Taperwood
But you guys are asking me to evaluate how a recording will sound on a speaker by only using half the source. That's what I can't seem to get everyone to grasp.

Trust me I completely understand what you are saying, but what I am trying to get through is that the source doesn't matter. What matters is that the same signal/source is tested in each case. You're not listening for the drums, guitar, vocals or any particular sound, your listening for changes in the particular sound.

Anyways, it doesn't matter. I don't believe that either of us is going to change each other's mind on the subject, so let's just leave it at that.

[Taperwood]

The problem is seeing from another point of view, not trying to change anyone's mind.

The whole point of AB testing is to hear the same thing. The difference in viewpoint is what is necessary to listen to.

Consider this, all studio recordings start out in mono. The stereo is in the mixing.

I owe you guys one. Anything I can do, just ask.

Doug