ABSTRACT
Usually referred to as stereo, the modern term comes from a Greek word that translates as “solid.” It involves the process of recording a sound source so that the result will deliver the impression of a fully developed, three-dimensional soundstage between just two loudspeaker systems. Stereophonic recording is somewhat different from “binaural” recording, which involves headphone reproduction of sounds picked up by a microphone array that simulates the human head. True binaural sound reproduction can deliver a genuine full-dimensional effect, whereas stereophonic sound can only simulate the breadth and depth of the soundstage, and not the acoustics of the original performance space. Both techniques are in contrast to surround-sound recording that involves additional reproduction channels both in front of and adjacent to the listener and extends the three dimensionality clear out into the listening room and expands the size of the listening area accordingly.
