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The number of speakers is part of the problem. Reproduction of a center channel using two loudspeakers ("phantom center") is inherently flawed, because you get

by mrob 5y ago

The number of speakers is part of the problem. Reproduction of a center channel using two loudspeakers ("phantom center") is inherently flawed, because you get comb filtering between them. Unlike with headphones, both ears can hear both speakers at once, but unless you're sitting perfectly centered, the distance from them is not the same. This means the signal from one is delayed relative to the other, so you get frequency-dependent constructive and destructive interference. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comb_filter https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comb_filter The effect is more noticeable in an acoustically dry room where there are few reflections filling in the notches. A real center channel eliminates this source of comb filtering.

sp332 5y ago
That doesn't make any sense to me. People have been listening to mono audio sources with two speakers forever without this issue. Even if the "comb filtering" is noticeable you can still make out voices just fine.
- mrob 5y ago
  The length of time people have been ignoring something doesn't affect if it's real or not. A phantom center channel is a cost optimization, and in many cases it's good enough, but it's also true that many people have trouble hearing dialogue in movies. Some of them will benefit from a real center channel. How much they'll benefit depends on the acoustic environment and listening position. This isn't a new idea; the very first movie with multi-channel audio used a real center channel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasound https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasound
mrob 5y ago
Downvoters, it's a real thing: >The tests showed significant improvements in word recognition using a separate center loudspeaker when compared with a phantom center image between a pair of loudspeakers. https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=14174 https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=14174

by mrob 5y ago

sp332 5y ago

That doesn't make any sense to me. People have been listening to mono audio sources with two speakers forever without this issue. Even if the "comb filtering" is noticeable you can still make out voices just fine.

mrob 5y ago
The length of time people have been ignoring something doesn't affect if it's real or not. A phantom center channel is a cost optimization, and in many cases it's good enough, but it's also true that many people have trouble hearing dialogue in movies. Some of them will benefit from a real center channel. How much they'll benefit depends on the acoustic environment and listening position. This isn't a new idea; the very first movie with multi-channel audio used a real center channel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasound https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasound

mrob 5y ago

Downvoters, it's a real thing: >The tests showed significant improvements in word recognition using a separate center loudspeaker when compared with a phantom center image between a pair of loudspeakers. https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=14174 https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=14174