Audibility of height in a stereo system?

[tmtomh]

When I close my eyes and point to the height where I think the singer is in the center of the soundstage image, I always point to a spot that's somewhere in the range of 6-10" above the center of my speakers' mid/treble drivers (I have Genelec 8351b's so they're coaxial). I find I can get that perceived height to move slightly by tilting the speakers up or down a bit, but only slightly, like maybe 2-4" or so.

I have had much taller speakers, with multiple mid and tweeter drivers mounted at well above my seated ear height on the speaker baffle, and those sounded a little taller when I closed my eyes and pointed - but I found that (a) the perceived height increase was only a few inches, less than the actual physical difference in driver mounting height; and (b) I am impressed by a taller perceived soundstage... for about 5-10 minutes - after that I find it physically uncomfortable to have to keep looking slightly up in order to face the perceived height of the singer. For day-to-day extended listening I prefer the perceived height of most of the vocals and instruments to be just slightly above my eye level when I'm comfortably seated.

YMMV of course.

 

[Mschn]

Online LEDR™ Sound Test | Listening Environment Diagnostic Recording Test

Audio Test Tones : check your stereo system for correct imaging

www.audiocheck.net

I have listened to these examples now. Not as convincing as back in 2005 but then my room is not that carefully treated.

/Martin

 

[Mojo Warrior]

Yes

YMMV

 

[JeremyFife]

Anecdotally - I'm sure I read this but, of course, can't find a source - we hear male singers as being taller than female singers in duets and groups. Because ... our brains assume that men are taller and adjust for us. i.e. Perception, not based on anything in the signal.

 

[Emlin]

Anecdotally - I'm sure I read this but, of course, can't find a source - we hear male singers as being taller than female singers in duets and groups. Because ... our brains assume that men are taller and adjust for us. i.e. Perception, not based on anything in the signal.

Helicopters and fixed wings. Birdsong.

It's the brain best-guessing all the way down.

It's the same with all perception. Your brain never delivers the truth because that would be too costly to your genes' survival.