Linn used to insist on dealers having what they called single-speaker demonstration rooms, meaning that only the driven pair is in the room when demonstrations were being performed. There has been some debate as to whether or not there is an audible effect. My recommendation is to clear your room of all unused speakers, then test it out by comparing the sound with and without some extra speakers in the room. In other words, let your own ears decide if the extra speakers are a problem.How much of a loss is there when you have one pair of speakers playing and 5 pairs of speakers not playing in one room?
I am talking about large bookshelf, 3 way type of speakers.
Linn used to insist on dealers having what they called single-speaker demonstration rooms, meaning that only the driven pair is in the room when demonstrations were being performed. There has been some debate as to whether or not there is an audible effect. My recommendation is to clear your room of all unused speakers, then test it out by comparing the sound with and without some extra speakers in the room. In other words, let your own ears decide if the extra speakers are a problem.
"Linn also invented and introduced the concept of single speaker demonstration for hi-fi retailers, as un-driven loudspeakers present in the room re-radiate in sympathy with the driven loudspeakers, distorting the music. Single speaker demonstration was intended to replicate the reality of a person’s home listening environment, and so judgments made in a hi-fi retailer would bear out when products were purchased and taken home."
https://www.linn.co.uk/company-history
PRAT PRAT PRAT PRAT PRAT PRATBrilliant marketing. Neat audiophile theory that appeals to the OCD that is overt in some and latent in others...and gets rid of the competition. No chance of the listener hitting that pesky component selector switch and discovering that something else fits their sound preference better.
PRAT PRAT PRAT PRAT PRAT PRAT
does it have prat? It's gotta have prat!
I never really grasped the concept of more than one pair of speakers in a listening environment (excluding of course surround sound for home theatre).
If the speaker does what it's supposed to do, all you need is two. If you need more than two, then your present speakers (or system) are lacking something, and/or your room setup is not optimal.
I'm with the pig on this one.