🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1993Jan3.064402.19553@guinness.idbsu.edu>, Dave Jensen
<djensen@claven.idbsu.edu> wrote:
>The audibility of absolute polarity (which, by the way, is not a function of
>time, as is phase) will be most noticeable with a high-transient, low-frequency
>signal (below 60 Hz).

A "low-frequency transient" would consist of a low-frequency fundamental
and a set of higher-frequency harmonics.

>The impact of a prominent, well recorded kick drum will
>be weaker if the speaker polarity is opposite that of the assumed correct
>recording polarity where a positive pressure produced a positive voltage at the
>microphone.
>
>A very simple test to satisfy your curiosity would be to listen to the
>difference in woofer sound quality as you apply a battery across the terminals
>of your speaker cabinet. I believe you'll find the compression wave produced by
>a positive voltage on the positive terminal (pushing the speaker outward) will
>yield the more satisfying thump.

It was part of my original statement about polarity that those instances
when it is audible were most likely attributable to asymmetric limitations
of the equipment used to reproduce a given signal (as opposed the ability
to directly perceive polarity itself). Your test is a perfect example of
this. The speaker will likely be pushed (or pulled) well into a distorted
range of operation. It is merely a question of taste which distortion is
more pleasing.

Good equipment operated within its limitations should not display this
phenomenon. If it does, choosing polarity gives you the choice of which
transients get which type of distortion. This choice will likely have
little to do with getting closer to the 'true' sound.

-Kerry