A topic of endless debate among audiophiles is the question “What is great sound?” At SVS, we believe that great sound is an audio experience convincing enough to make a listener believe that the artists or instrumentalists are right there in the room, allowing them to form an emotional and visceral connection to the music and what the artist or producer intended. One way we do this is through stereo playback.

What is stereo imaging? One way to explain it – the ability of your speakers and system to create a seamless soundstage as opposed to sound coming from two boxes in front of you. With accurate stereo reproduction, the two speaker boxes should disappear acoustically and instead the notes coming from a drummer, guitarist, singer or other musician should disappear.

Speakers can only produce a good stereo image if they are accurate, because accuracy ensures synchronization, which is essential for reproducing a rock solid stereo image. Speakers must not only be true to the source material in terms of tonal accuracy, the drivers and crossovers must also be perfectly matched to create the illusion of a seamless soundstage without gaps. Without precise accuracy, the soundstage can appear distorted and the location of voices and instruments can seem jumbled.

Speaker placement is another important factor in getting a good stereo image. This includes the distance from the walls and the main listening position, both of which can change the way a stereo image is perceived. A pair of speakers working perfectly together with optimal placement on the front stage is almost magical in the way it presents sounds coming from different points in the room with varying degrees of impact.

Experiencing a speaker system with hair-trigger stereo reproduction can be a revelation. When SVS hosts consumer and trade events worldwide, they often spend hours tuning demo systems to achieve an accurate stereo image, often under conditions that are far from ideal.

Why go to extremes? Because SVS wants to make it clear how immersive and exciting audio can be and we try to bring people as close as possible to “feeling there.” And frankly, many people have never heard the magic of a true stereo image.

In music production, creating a stereo image is a combination of science and art. When sound engineers mix a music track in stereo, instruments and vocals are sent to the left and right channels at different levels to create a sense of width, depth and even height. When properly mastered, the sound from stereo speakers or headphones carries us on stage, in the studio or in the front row at a packed auditorium.

In a high-performance 2-channel system, the left and right speakers separately reproduce layers of instruments, vocals and sound effects at accurate and varying volume levels. Accurate and correctly placed speakers reveal the exact location of the various instruments and voices, giving a sense of placement in the soundstage as the recording engineer intended.

High-performance speakers properly configured allow every instrument and voice to be heard well, with clear, well-defined dynamics and accurate frequency response, so the sound remains transparent without “boomy” bass or “bright” high frequencies.

The left and right speaker channels should provide balanced output for a wide and generous “Sweet Spot.” There should also be a natural atmosphere around each instrument in which dynamics can develop, making them sound more realistic and fuller. Ultimately, all layers of the sound should blend seamlessly and cohesively to the point where it is so immersive that we forget there are even speakers playing.

Imagery can make music more interesting. Hearing a realistic musical presentation can transport the listener to a time they remember – perhaps a favorite concert or a memorable event from the past. Imagery is largely responsible for the emotional connection we make with the music we hear on our systems. And while a reproduced sound will never be the sonic equivalent of a live presentation, it is much more enjoyable to listen to music when you get close.”

Hardcore audiophiles are not the only ones who can appreciate accurate stereo playback, as home theater audio also benefits. Hearing action moving across the stage or sound effects coming from specific points in the room uniquely and excitingly engages the viewer with what is on screen, much more so than with a soundbar or TV speakers.

Many speakers, especially Bluetooth speakers and wireless pro powered speakers, use a single (mono) cabinet with a virtual approach to stereo playback that relies on DSP adjustments to “trick” the brain into thinking stereo sound is coming from one speaker. This approach is useful when lifestyle factors are a priority, but not for optimal sound quality and creating the experiences described above, since it is impossible to create a true stereo image from a single speaker.

All SVS speakers deliver extremely accurate frequency response and the ability to convey an accurate stereo image with all types of audio content. Prime Wireless Pro Powered Speaker Pair is one of the first self-powered wireless smart speakers to offer all the acoustic benefits of true stereo playback, as it actually consists of two speakers with robust drivers and an active digital crossover that optimizes power delivery for powerful and explosive sound with flawless accuracy, all of which are critical to reproducing a convincing stereo image.

Ready for a more compelling and immersive audio experience through the magic of stereo imaging? Check out all the award-winning SVS speakers.

This is a loose copy of the original English SVS article, “What is Stereo Imaging?“