Re Holophonics that old chesnut

[P3D Peter Homer <P.J.Homer@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I bought a demonstration record (Vinyl) for the holophonic system which
came out in 1983 . Although LP size it is 45rpm supposedly to help the
quality of the recording. They seemed to be suggesting that our hearing
rather than simply being stereophonic the euivalent of stereoscopic was
actualy holophonic the euivalent of holographic. They dont give that much
explanation in the blurb with the record but about the same date New
Scientist the British eqvivalent of Scientific American did a small article
on it. The claim seems to have been that there is a constant oscillation in
the eardrum which we are not normaly aware of  (is that what is happening
in cases of tinitus or ringing in the ears?). Which acts as the reference
for interference with the incoming sound as with a laser set for
holography. New Scientist agreed there is such an oscillation but
considered it to low amplitude or something to have this effect.
   The holophonic system seemed to claim to do this for you in the
recording so they even claimed that some one deaf in one ear could get the
effect!. Or "Alternatively , if you have perfect hearing in both ears you
should insert a finger in one ,tou will se that the spatial location
becomes difficult, but is not impossible,as described in textbooks on
acoustics,and that it is only a question of practice ." New Scientist was
of the opinion that it was just an attempt to market a new stereophonic
system. But the holophonics blurb also said "Unlike all the previous
stereophonic recordings, this recording takes place and has been produced
on two channels (right and left)." That sounds exactly like normal
stereophonic recording to me.       P.J.Homer



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