I guess it was exactly as you write - but instead of slightly earlier or later, the "lost" sounds are the high frequencies (a lot of hissing, clicking etc.) - t

I guess it was exactly as you write - but instead of slightly earlier or later, the "lost" sounds are the high frequencies (a lot of hissing, clicking etc.) - the actual sound is mostly still there, but slightly "muffled" because it contains only the lower-frequency components.