The TriNaural Processor, was and is an incredible system . . . . But,
It was hard for people to make the transition.
First the size of the "true" Audiophile market is small. That is the hobbyist who will dedicate a room to "stereo" listening. In a normal situation where the system is placed in a "living room", or other, the difficulty of adding another "exact" speaker, and amp was an impediment.
Now you might say well it is done everyday in HT, but generally it is not.
A HT set up ususally has a reoriented center and the whole system is set up for "movie" sound and not stereo.
Cost wise, the TNT itself is quite reasonable at $1500, but you also have to include the cost of a 3rd speaker, speaker cable, amp, and interconnects.
This can also cause "placement" issues, since the speaker needs to be in the center, and sometimes this space is occupied by equipment or racks.
Part of the beauty of the TNT which I don't think James actually saw or promoted was that speaker placement allowed for some very lifelike soundstage perspectives, and images beyond anything a two speaker stereo can do.
While he suggested the ITU set up with the speakers in a semi-circular arrangement, it also worked well with them "in-line" and even a reverse or convex circle, with proper adjustment.
The latter two set ups moved the outer speakers slightly farther from you which is as you would hear it in a live performance. That is 7th row center the performers are "closer" right in front of you, and farther away to the left and right.
The independent ability to control that "parameter" (loudness of the center stage in relation to the sides) is a very interesting element, which is difficult to achieve or adjust with a 2 speaker set up.
To that end, the unit has a great value. It is just how far you wish to go in the control of the soundfield.
The Constant Directivity of the new Wave Guides certainly provides the element of Directivity, which means a seemless soundstage and one that is relevant even off-center or out of sweet seat, but does not address the ability to adjust the relative volume or prominence of the Center Stage in relation to the L&R sides.
So the TNT is still a ground breaking component, but not all are dedicated enough to make the leap, and absorb the costs involved in adding the sonic benefits.
