ABSTRACT
With traditional two-channel, stereophonic sound reproduction, this involves the ability of a pair of speakers to simulate a real performer in the middle of the array. A proper phantom image requires that the listener be located out in front of the speakers, and equidistant from both, and a good recording should be able to create additional phantom images all the way across the soundstage. Aside from the need for a sweet spot listening position, a major problem with a phantom image with two-channel stereo is that the center image is formed by four arrival clues: one for each ear from each of the two
speakers. What’s more, two of those clues are delayed in time, because the ears are not equidistant from each speaker. A true center channel, such as what exists not only with DSP steering systems, but also with Dolby Digital, DTS, SACD, and DVD-A (at least potentially, since not all engineers take full advantage of the technologies), overcomes this problem. It can do so because it simulates a genuine performer at center stage, with the image being formed by only two arrival clues: one from the centered source for each ear.
