[sbcgroup1]

Anyone out there experimented with the Trinaural Processor?

http://www.ampzilla2000.com/trinaural.html

-Ed

[John B]

When I was into multi-channel audio I had a Krell HTS 7.1 processor that had this expanded stereo mode option.  It processed the info for two channels into 3.1 channels.   It was the best of the DSP modes offered, but it was not an improvement over stereo, from my listening sessions with it.  Whether this trinaural processor is better at it I don't know, love to hear it in action one day.

[ctviggen]

Some people really like the Logic 7 mode by Lexicon.  I think that it )(Logic 7) would reduce the imaging of stereo, but then I've not heard it (I have heard Proceed's 5-channel version, which I thought sounded OK but definitely messes with imaging).

[StevenACNJ]

I run a Lex MC12 and Logic 7 does a great job with 2-channel sources like standard tv broadcasts.

[J Harris]

I've been assuming that the Trinaural Processor is all-analog. Is it?

J!

[thayerg]

Is this similar to Meridian's 'Trifield' processor mode? Trifield is very good--if you a/b between direct stereo and trifield the soundstage gets wider and sounds are less localized at the speakers.

[Sedona Sky Sound]

Unlike the Meridian and the Lexicon, the Trinaural is all analog. No digital processing going on at all. Therefore, even if you are using SACD or 2-channel DVD-A, you are not giving up any resolution/bits with the Trinaural.

You can't really compare the Trinaural to any of the multu-channel modes on the Krell or Lexicon. Yes, you have turned 2 channel into multi-channel but the similarities end there. The resulting sound is totally different.

The Meridian tri-field is a little closer but still not the same. Tri-field seems to be a very well implemented DSP mode but it is still that: a DSP mode. For whatever reason, listening to the Meridian does not require a "re-learning" of how to hear the music but the Trinaural most certainly does. In that, the Meridian is much more forgiving but ultimately the Trianural gives a better presentation (wider soundstage, less congestion, better sense of space) once you get used to it. However, I have not heard the Meridian in an A/B setup in my own system (only at one of my customers) so feel free to take the comparison with a grain of salt.      

I hope that helps.

Julian
www.sedonaskysound.com

[dubravko]

Maybe I'm not a right person to judge, since I was eager to have such a thing when I first heard about it some three years ago, so I was not the one who needs to be convinced I need it. Now when I have it, I don't see a reason ever to listen with just two speakers anymore.

There is a big difference between center of soundfield created in your brain and having the same thing exist in reality. In short, it is also helpful fighting standing waves, it adds more power and speakers in the system making it more capable. It's own coloration seems to be extremely low. I can easily hear differences between a few great preamplifiers with Trinaural. I guess those would be masked if Trinaural will have more of it's own distortions.

Drawback may be that if you have a smaller space, center speaker will always be in different acoustic environment than two side speakers (being much nearer to the wall behind). It helps with standing waves, but center speaker sound different when you listen to speakers separately. I don't know whether such thinking is "built in" into Trinaural, but effect of this isn't noticeable when playing music. However I found that it seems center speaker and sides need slightly different tuning. Maybe Mr. Cheney can give us some general rules for tuning of VMPS in Trinaural.

[rblnr]

I use Trifield w/a 2xRM40 1xLRC setup.  Briefly, it is very good w/some recordings; better soundstage definition -- but I prefer straight 2 ch. w/others.  Wonder sometimes whether I am 'degrading' the music by sending alot of info. through the LRC w/its one driver vs. the 40's w/4.  Point of multiple drivers is to reduce distortion, no?

[dubravko]

Quality of Trinaural really should be judged only when most of recommendations are followed. Most important being that center speaker should be the best one or equal to side speakers. Things are also getting better when side speakers are nearer to the point in which they make 90 degrees angle to the listening spot. Since they also need to be at the same distance from listener as center speaker is, this is hard to follow completely.
What comes to attention is how many pop/rock recordings are in fact mono, with only a couple of "spatial" effects on percussion or a like. This becomes obvious because with Trinaural center image is sharp and strong like in a two-channel theory. Such recordings may be more pleasant to listen in 2ch because you never get mono that sharp with two speakers.

It's a pity such device wasn't available in times when it had a chance to be widely accepted. However, it's not late for those without a screen in the middle of the soundfield.