If you have worked with any sort of speaker, audio, or sound system then you have likely come across Mono and Stereo. Whilst many people tend to ignore these two funny little words and just continue on with their lives, if you really care about audio and sound quality the experience that headphones and speakers can give you then it is essential that you understand the difference between mono and stereo sound.
So what are Mono and Stereo? How does it affect your listening journey? Should you buy a system with one of these over the other?
Come and discover with us why this matters, how the different types of audio are perceived and produced, and what makes the audio experience so unique for each type of sound.
What is Mono sound?
Mono is a prefix that often refers to one, or something that is singular or alone. This is an accurate depiction of what this type of audio entails since the entire mix of sound is produced and exported through a single source. This means that all the different types of audio channels that make up a song would be mixed together and heard through a single speaker or audio producer.
This is the type of audio that would usually get adopted through radio broadcasting since it has a lot of advantages and can be listened to by people that have only a single speaker. It is also used for most phone conversations for the same reason.
A huge benefit to Mono Sound is that it is the easiest type of audio to make. All the information is bundled up together in a single channel which requires less space to store it and less processing power to create it. It also is less likely to suffer from phase cancellation which is where sound waves start to interfere with each other and interrupt other frequencies nulling out certain sounds.
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What is Stereo sound?
As you may have already surmised via the description of Mono, the Stereo sound is the complete opposite of Mono. This audio comes not from a single source but from at least two, and sometimes multiple sources at the same time.
This requires that all the audio information is divided into different channels and then distributed to different speakers. Most frequently this is simply a left and right channel with a left and right speaker.
Through this style of audio experience, you can encapsulate the music and audio by perceiving where each source of audio comes from. This is a much more immersive experience that often suits itself well to video games, movies, and music, and really shows off the benefits of car stereo installation.
It makes you feel much more like you are there as you hear sounds coming from different directions and it gives you the illusion of distance through volume, depth, and position. Obviously, this is a much greater audio sensation but it is also much harder to create and requires more storage space, and processing power, and is prone to more complications than its much simpler counterpart.
How do you know which one to choose?
After having reviewed each option you can see that there are a few clear differences in how you will perceive the sound. But which one is best suited for the application that you need it for? Well, this is going to depend on a few factors.
For most listeners wanting to listen to music at home, watch a movie, play games, etc, the better experience is going to be found through stereo audio. It just sounds nicer, and more detailed, it feels more real, and it immerses you into the audio world that you place yourself in.
It should be noted though that whilst Stereo is more inclusive and builds up the audio around you, it puts less emphasis on the voice of the person speaking or singing and more emphasis on the musicality and drama of the instruments and backing. So if you want to listen to an audiobook, or want to really hone in on Whitney Houston’s vocals you may prefer Mono since it always puts the vocals at the forefront with the instruments in the background.
Alternatively, if you are considering putting in audio for a club, a restaurant, or some other large space with multiple speakers, the safest option is going to be Mono. This is because of being less prone to phase cancellation that can often occur with Stereo, which is definitely not something you would want in a business or event.
What about recording? If you are trying to record your own music or vocals, then you can do so in either audio option. Mono is the standard option for most artists however, if you want to build atmosphere and ambiance through distance and location such as when recording an orchestra or a choir then Stereo may be the best option for you.
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