page_title: Stereophonic sound
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Stereophonic sound / History
caption_attribution_description: Théâtrophone. Plan device théatrophone at the Opera during the World Exhibition in Paris (1881).
context_page_description: Stereophonic sound or, more commonly, stereo, is a method of sound reproduction that creates an illusion of multi-directional audible perspective. This is usually achieved by using two or more independent audio channels through a configuration of two or more loudspeakers in such a way as to create the impression of sound heard from various directions, as in natural hearing. Thus the term "stereophonic" applies to so-called "quadraphonic" and "surround-sound" systems as well as the more common two-channel, two-speaker systems. It is often contrasted with monophonic, or "mono" sound, where audio is heard as coming from one position, often ahead in the sound field. Stereo sound has been in common use since the 1970s in entertainment systems such as broadcast radio, TV, recorded music, internet, computer audio, and cinema.
caption: Diagram of Clément Ader's théatrophone prototype at the Opera during the World Exhibition in Paris (1881)
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