The Phantom Center Channel

A centered vocal with no center speaker? That’s the magic of the phantom center channel. In this episode of The Audiophile’s Guide, we dig into how two speakers can convincingly create a stable, lifelike center image—when the setup is right. From precise speaker placement to room symmetry and listener position, every detail matters. When it locks in, the illusion is powerful: a voice suspended in space, as real as if someone were standing there. The Audiophile’s Guide publishes daily. Want to...

Om Podcasten

The Audiophile's Guide podcast is your invitation into the world of high-end audio, and connecting with me, Paul McGowan—a 50-year veteran in the art and science of sound and the co-founder and CEO of PS Audio. We do kind of a mind meld between me and our technologically connected hosts. Each episode is a fresh, no-nonsense exploration of how to bring music to life in your home, drawn from my decades of hands-on experience designing the gear that makes it happen.