Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Should MONO recordings be listened through only one speaker?

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Should MONO recordings be listened through only one speaker?

    This question was raised in another forum and the opinions varied greatly. As such, I thought I'd seek out opinion from the membership here.
    Dynavector DV20x2L MC cartridge - Genesis G7.1f speakers - Marantz Reference PM-KI-Pearl Int. Amp. - Oracle Audio Paris MkV turntable - Various Morrow & Valab/King cables

  • #2
    Throwing a mono switch works. Listening in stereo works since you still get a mono image.

    But sonically, the biggest thing is the difference in cartridges. So if you have enough albums to justify it, use a stereo and mono cartridge. Know a few people here have both.
    Myles B. Astor, PhD, Administrator
    Senior Editor, Positive-Feedback.com
    ________________________________________

    -Zellaton Plural Evo speakers
    -Goldmund Telos 440 mono amps
    -Goldmund Mimesis 37S Nextgen preamplifier
    -Doshi EVO and Goldmund PH3.8 phonostage
    -VPI Vanquish direct-drive turntable
    -VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy dual pivot tonearm, VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy gimballed and SAT LM-12 arm
    -Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, Fuuga Mk. 2, vdh Colibri Master Signature, MutechHayabusa, Phasemation PP-500 cartridges
    -Technics RS1506 with Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi V3.0 tape stage (balanced)
    -Assorted cables including Transparent XL Gen. 6, Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna, Audience FrontRow; Audience FrontRow, Genesis Advanced Technologies , Goldmund and Ensemble Power Cords
    -Accessories including Stillpoint Aperture panels, Cathedral Sound panels, Furutech NCF Nano AC receptacles; Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC, Symposium ISIS and SRA Craz 3 racks, Audiodharma Cable Cooker, Symposium Ultra and assorted SRA OHIO Class 2.3+ platforms.

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by Johnny Vinyl View Post
      This question was raised in another forum and the opinions varied greatly. As such, I thought I'd seek out opinion from the membership here.

      You are supposed to listen to mono with only one ear, not one speaker. If you listen to mono with two ears, you are hearing mono in stereo so it really doesn't matter if you are hearing mono from one speaker or two. The preferred method for listening to mono is to put an ear plug into one of your ears and then turn your head sideways with your one good ear facing the speaker(s). Now you will hear mono in all of its full glory.

      Next question please.
      Micro Seiki SX-8000 table with flywheel, SME 3012R arm, SME 312S arm, Lyra Etna SL and Dynavector XV-1S cartridges, ARC Ref 3 phono stage, Otari MX-55 tape deck, Ampex 350 repros, Roon Nucleus Plus server, PS Audio DSJ DAC, ARC Ref 6 pre, ARC Ref 75 amp, Parasound JC5 amp, JBL 4345 speakers, and Def Tech Ref subs.

      Comment


      • Johnny Vinyl
        Johnny Vinyl commented
        Editing a comment
        One of my ears is positioned slightly lower on my head so I will take some measurements of both and match ear/tweeter height. Thanks Mark...you're always very insightful!

    • #4
      Originally posted by mep View Post


      You are supposed to listen to mono with only one ear, not one speaker. If you listen to mono with two ears, you are hearing mono in stereo so it really doesn't matter if you are hearing mono from one speaker or two. The preferred method for listening to mono is to put an ear plug into one of your ears and then turn your head sideways with your one good ear facing the speaker(s). Now you will hear mono in all of its full glory.

      Next question please.

      Oh My.


      **************************************************
      Every day is a good day to play analog.
      - 12" 33-1/3 RPM or 45 RPM vinyl
      - 10.5" 15ips or 30ips tape
      **************************************************
      Every day is a good day for live music.
      **************************************************
      Every day is a good day to listen to music.
      **************************************************
      Industry Affiliation:
      Senior Writer, The Absolute Sound
      **************************************************

      Comment

      Working...
      X