Stereo with 3 speakers, is there such a thing?

[markusA]

Does it exist or am I just dreaming stuff up?

I'm thinking about some sort of electronic thing/filter/mixer/dsp...
that takes all the information common to both L/R channels and channels it to a center channel and leaving only the distinctly different audio for the L/R speakers.

 

[DUG]

"...information common to both L/R channels and channels it to a center channel ..."

This is what they do for the subwoofer signal. (only with a low pass filter)

But if you do that with other frequency bands you are effectively reducing your stereo separation.

Most people don't want that.

 

[kouiky]

I had the schematic to build a pseudo center channel processor and I'm sure you can find a few online as they are very useful for wide spread speaker placement in large rooms. Meridian also offered true 3 channel reproduction for the Trifield format that sadly never gained ground.

 

[markusA]

I just thought it would be an interesting experiment. Lol
Removing shared music information would put less demand on the L/R speakers possibly allowing for smaller units and such.
Just toying with the idea.

 

[JMFahey]

Something roughly similar is made to transmit a "Stereo but mono compatible" FM signal.
The main signal has L+R info, and an auxiliary subcarrier has the *L/R difference* signal.
So a simple receiver listens to it as "Mono" and a more complex stereo receiver can decode the stereo one, both from the same FM channel .
Otherwise you would need 2 channels which is expensive and inefficient.

 

[wwenze]

Actually you know what, come to think of it stereo expanders already exist.

 

[mr2racer]

Vintage amps often had instructions on how to wire in a center channel speaker. Below is an example. But you should know if there is a hole in the center of your STEREO image there is something else wrong.

 

[Richard Ellis]

When Paul Klipsch developed his Klipschorn he also developed a special "matching" center channel loudspeaker, the Belle...if I'm not mistaken. I do not know why but my theory is....since the Klipschorn only functions in a corner....more than likely the horns were put on the long side of rectangular rooms, leaving a "hole" in the center(Too wide a placement) So he built the Belle for the center.


______________________________________________________Rick.........