Anybody got one or tried a Carver C-9 Sonic Hologram Generator?

VSAT88

VSAT88

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Was just interested in hearing the "Sonic Holography" by Carver. I love Polk SDA speakers and some have said it sounds similar. Anyone with any thoughts?
 
I use a Carver C-9. But in order to get the best desired effect from the processor, requires moving the stereo speakers out from the wall by 3 feet with 3-5 feet separation between the left and right speakers, then the speakers toed in to pinpoint the listening position in the 6-10 foot range, with space behind the listening position. Pretty stringent guidelines to ensure the processor's effectiveness. But, even though I've not followed a single recommended guideline as per the operating manual, it does make a pleasing difference in expanding the sound field and in a few cases I've incorporated the C-9 in the recording process, unbeknownst to the listener who has received my mix tape.

The C-9 is pictured in the left stack atop the two dbx units:

c06a79d6-acbc-488e-8243-c6bc9d1fdf2a.jpg

Nando.
 
Elite-ist said:
I use a Carver C-9. But in order to get the best desired effect from the processor, requires moving the stereo speakers out from the wall by 3 feet with 3-5 feet separation between the left and right speakers, then the speakers toed in to pinpoint the listening position in the 6-10 foot range, with space behind the listening position. Pretty stringent guidelines to ensure the processor's effectiveness. But, even though I've not followed a single recommended guideline as per the operating manual, it does make a pleasing difference in expanding the sound field and in a few cases I've incorporated the C-9 in the recording process, unbeknownst to the listener who has received my mix tape.

The C-9 is pictured in the left stack atop the two dbx units:

View attachment 88777

Nando.
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Leave it to Nando!!! "unbeknownst to the listener who has received my mix tape." Such nice clean beautiful equipment!!!
 
Not sure in the C9, but as implemented in the C4000, there were two verions of the Sonic Hologram. I have the lattter, and find it quite nice, although I doubt that any passive speaker would be capable of doing the same thing.
 
TimD said:
Not sure in the C9, but as implemented in the C4000, there were two verions of the Sonic Hologram. I have the lattter, and find it quite nice, although I doubt that any passive speaker would be capable of doing the same thing.
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"doubt that any passive speaker would be capable of doing the same thing." Care to elaborate Tim?
 
VSAT88 said:
"doubt that any passive speaker would be capable of doing the same thing." Care to elaborate Tim?
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The Hologram is based on time delay and inversion cancelling signals in opposite channels to be able to essentially remove crosstalk of left speaker to right ear, amd right to left, etc. None of which is possible in a passive device . . .

You might search for the appropriate Carver docs regarding what it does (The C4000 users manual goes into great detail) - the myth that it is just EQ is just that . . .
 
TimD said:
The Hologram is based on time delay and inversion cancelling signals in opposite channels to be able to essentially remove crosstalk of left speaker to right ear, amd right to left, etc. None of which is possible in a passive device . . .

You might search for the appropriate Carver docs regarding what it does (The C4000 users manual goes into great detail) - the myth that it is just EQ is just that . . .
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Yeah, I knew it was a processor. I was just wondering what you meant by it being impossible for passive speakers to do the same because it seems like Polk SDA's do something at least similar. It would be used on the front end of course not on the amplifier output what is where the SDA's would be in a system. I have SDA's and of course would not be using the Carver unit with those. Was just interested in the possibility of trying one on other speakers that I have here like the Snell's and JBL's. I have a cheap bid on one on eBay. Maby I will get to see! Thanks Tim.
 
How exactly do you implement broadband delay in a speaker? Inversion, sure . . . but even the signal source would be coming from the wrong place doing this in speakers, in that the hologram introduces the cancelling signal in the *opposite* channel, as I recall . . .
 
Have no clue what you really mean Tim about broadband delay. Don't even know what that is so I can't answer that one. If you are talking about the Polk Audio SDA speakers then they have been around for a long time and from what I have read the Carver Sonic Holography ( or whatever it's called ) sounds similar/ the same. Matthew Polk was concerned with crosstalk like you were talking about earlier ( at least I think you were talking about the same thing ) . Anyhow, this is the handbook that I read about them. I have really enjoyed Polks SDA speakers.
 

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VSAT88 said:
Have no clue what you really mean Tim about broadband delay. Don't even know what that is so I can't answer that one. If you are talking about the Polk Audio SDA speakers then they have been around for a long time and from what I have read the Carver Sonic Holography ( or whatever it's called ) sounds similar/ the same. Matthew Polk was concerned with crosstalk like you were talking about earlier ( at least I think you were talking about the same thing ) . Anyhow, this is the handbook that I read about them. I have really enjoyed Polks SDA speakers.
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Time delay without strangling frequency response - IE 20Hz to 20 KHz . . . Read the Carver docs - too much to rekey here.

Looked at your doc, and it does look like Polk is chasing the same issue. I had not realized that the speakers are intrrconnected and send signals to each other, so in that regard, it looks like there may me more similarity than I had thought, although I still feel that the task can likely be done better with active electronics (like Carver) which also allows tweakability for the space.
 
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TimD said:
Time delay without strangling frequency response - IE 20Hz to 20 KHz . . . Read the Carver docs - too much to rekey here.

Looked at your doc, and it does look like Polk is chasing the same issue. I had not realized that the speakers are intrrconnected and send signals to each other, so in that regard, it looks like there may me more similarity than I had thought, although I still feel that the task can likely be done better with active electronics (like Carver) which also allows tweakability for the space.
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One more thing. Tim, if you get the chance check out a restored set of SDA vintage Polks. You might be very surprised what they do. Like it or not is up to ones taste. Once I heard a set set up correctly and restored with a proper amplifier I was sold. They do things that no other speaker can do. When you hear someone knocking on your door behind you (and no one is there) or sounds coming from the room where there are no speakers present its pretty impressive.
 
As seen in my avatar pic, I have a pair of C1s and WOPL 400s. Front speakers are ESS Rock Monitors, rear are Infinity RSB 1.5 with the Watkin's woofers. The voicing matches very well between these two pairs. Speakers are all away from the wall and first reflections behind the ESS's are treated (di-poles). Using the sonic hologram feature renders a very nice room filling sound nearly making the speakers seem like they are impossible to be localized with some material. Sound coming from all around the room. It also sounds good no matter where you are in the room, but of course the sweet spot is still the best.
 
Oh for the love of god, Rock Monitors, ESS. I have been looking all over for a set of those. A fellow near Atlanta had a really nice set and we were in negotiations but I think he decided to keep them. Lol.
 
VSAT88 said:
Oh for the love of god, Rock Monitors, ESS. I have been looking all over for a set of those. A fellow near Atlanta had a really nice set and we were in negotiations but I think he decided to keep them. Lol.
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I was fortunate enough to find mine just two hours' drive away. I have AMT 1B's, AMT 3's and a few of the Tempest series as well. All great sounding, but the Rock Monitors rule! I won't be parting with mine.
 
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