Stereo
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Stereophonic sound, also simply called stereo, is the reproduction of sound using two or more audio loudspeakers. This creates a pleasant and natural sound heard from various directions, as in natural hearing.
The word "stereophonic" comes from Greek stereos = "solid" and phōnē = "sound". It was coined by Western Electric.
In popular usage, stereo usually means two-channel sound recording and sound reproduction using data from two speakers. The electronic device for playing back stereo sound is often called "a stereo".
Stereo Media
How stereophonic sound systems work. The main diagram shows a simplified situation in nature. The inset shows the electronic simulation. Notably, such electronic systems require more than one speaker.
Time difference in a stereophonic recording of a car going past
Two microphones set up to record a piano simultaneously, which creates a stereo sound
Diagram of Clément Ader's théatrophone prototype at the Opera during the World Exhibition in Paris (1881)
"Wandering Dragon Plays with Phoenix" Part One of Twelve, possibly the earliest accidental stereo, made as a field recording by Berthold Laufer for Franz Boaz in 1901
Bell Labs binaural demonstration at World's Fair
Domestic stereo system, having two speakers
Label and sleeve from Audio Fidelity Records' second stereo demonstration record, c. 1958
HH Scott Model 350, c. 1961: the first FM stereo tuner sold in the US
A-B stereo microphone placement
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