Surround sound system

We are now entering the Third Age of reproduced sound. The monophonic era was the First Age, which lasted from the Edison's invention of the phonograph in 1877 until the 1950s. During those times, the goal was simply to reproduce the timbre of the original sound. No attempts were made to reproduce directional properties or spatial realism.

The stereo era was the Second Age. It was based on the inventions from the 1930s, reached the public in the mid-'50s, and has provided great listening pleasure for four decades. Stereo improved the reproduction of timbre and added two dimensions of space: the left - right spread of performers across a stage and a set of acoustic cues that allow listeners to perceive a front-to-back dimension.

In two-channel stereo, this realism is based on fragile sonic cues. In most ordinary two-speaker stereo systems, these subtle cues can easily be lost, causing the playback to sound flat and uninvolved. Multi channel surround systems, on the other hand, can provide this involving presence in a way that is robust, reliable and consistent.

The purpose of this seminar is to explore the advances and technologies of surround sound in the consumer market