The Two Channel Illusion

**mep** · 07-01-2012, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

Of course. Is this up for argument?

Kal-Apparently so. We hava a few people on this forum who think the phantom center channel illusion doesn't work and think we really need a real center channel.

**Bruce B** · 07-01-2012, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by mep

Kal-Apparently so. We hava a few people on this forum who think the phantom center channel illusion doesn't work and think we really need a real center channel.

And for those people, just tell them to get a Playback Designs MPS-5 with a "phantom center option".

**mullard88** · 07-01-2012, 05:28 PM

Aside from the speaker set up, the recording also plays a part in center fill. There was a time when stereo recordings were done with the "ping pong" effect. With these recordings, there was definitely no center fill.

**JackD201** · 07-01-2012, 05:41 PM

Let's not forget symmetry either

**whart** · 07-01-2012, 05:56 PM

And, doesn't having all the equipment in between the speakers have the potential to interfere with the acoustics of a phantom center, apart from the psychoacoustics of looking at a bunch of gear?
I have a monster sized old buddha sitting between my horns, but since they are highly directional I'm not sure what acoustic difference it makes; pyschoacoustically, it puts me in a totally zen state.

**RBFC** · 07-01-2012, 06:11 PM

I hear Buddha plays a mean sax.....

Lee

**whart** · 07-01-2012, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by RBFC

I hear Buddha plays a mean sax.....

Lee

He's actually sitting on various old audio pucks and dampers for balance. Kinda a Far Eastern Mystical Diffuser.

**Mike** · 07-01-2012, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by RBFC

I hear Buddha plays a mean sax.....

Lee

I think it's guitar, if you mean Buddha Guy...

**RBFC** · 07-01-2012, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

I think it's guitar, if you mean Buddha Guy...

Better than Buddha Holly....

Lee

**John72953** · 07-02-2012, 04:16 AM

Originally Posted by whart

And, doesn't having all the equipment in between the speakers have the potential to interfere with the acoustics of a phantom center, apart from the psychoacoustics of looking at a bunch of gear?
I have a monster sized old buddha sitting between my horns, but since they are highly directional I'm not sure what acoustic difference it makes; pyschoacoustically, it puts me in a totally zen state.

Wouldn't it be true if your speakers were placed more forward of your gear that this would not be in issue? My speakers are placed about a foot ahead of my system rack and they have no problem creating a phantom centre image.