What's the point of higher sampling rates in audio?, Such as 96 and 192kHz. Options

[stranhoROX]

Could someone explain to me why there are some recordings with sample rates as high as 192kHz? If most of us hear up to 20kHz, wouldn't 44.1kHz or even 48kHz be enough? Or is there other practical aspects besides boosting maximum frequency in higher sampling rates I am not aware of?

[pappaapa]

First: Thanks for your replies!

And just to tell you. Personally, I'm only curious. I have no preference (but vinyl).
I've never participated in this kind of discussion before and I haven't done much more reading than the physics in school (15 years ago).

Though I did do some reading before writing this and all I can say is: This is waaay too complicated for me.

Turns out there are actually several ultrasonic speakers. Where the air it passes through slows down the soundwaves, so that it will be audible at a certain point.
You can find them at disneyworld and in your local mall. Aimed at you.

But really, I can't understand how anyone without a degree in physics can say either YES or NO to my question.
You really need to know your way around Nonlinear Acoustics.
Here's a place to start: Nonlinear Acoustics Wiki

So unless anybody can explain this in a simple (and informed) way, I'm just gonna have to leave this alone.
Really sorry for wasting your time.

/Levi

[drewfx]

First: Thanks for your replies!

And just to tell you. Personally, I'm only curious. I have no preference (but vinyl).
I've never participated in this kind of discussion before and I haven't done much more reading than the physics in school (15 years ago).

Though I did do some reading before writing this and all I can say is: This is waaay too complicated for me.

Turns out there are actually several ultrasonic speakers. Where the air it passes through slows down the soundwaves, so that it will be audible at a certain point.
You can find them at disneyworld and in your local mall. Aimed at you.

But really, I can't understand how anyone without a degree in physics can say either YES or NO to my question.
You really need to know your way around Nonlinear Acoustics.
Here's a place to start: Nonlinear Acoustics Wiki

So unless anybody can explain this in a simple (and informed) way, I'm just gonna have to leave this alone.
Really sorry for wasting your time.

/Levi

My understanding is ultrasonic speakers work similar to AM radio - you have an (inaudible) ultrasonic wave modulated by the audio you want to produce. You never hear the ultrasonic signal itself; it's just a carrier for the audible stuff.

[pappaapa]

My understanding is ultrasonic speakers work similar to AM radio - you have an (inaudible) ultrasonic wave modulated by the audio you want to produce. You never hear the ultrasonic signal itself; it's just a carrier for the audible stuff.

Well that's one kind. Where you have a reciever remodulating the ultrasonic sound.

The kind I'm refering to needs no reciever. It's just air slowing the soundwaves down and at a desired distance the sound becomes audible. As I understand it they shape the ultrasonic sound so that when the air has slowed it down to certain wavelengths interferance amongst the short soundwaves produces longer wavelengths and thus a high fidelity audible sound.
The mechanism is called Parametric Array.

Here's some reading: Parametric array - Wiki
Here's an interesting link of an implementation in an art installation: Link

The question here is how often and how much does this occur at normal listening volumes in the nonaudible (but reproducable) frequencies. And to me it's just too complicated.

I tried to find some clever guy with some info on the web. But I really have to go to sleep now.

Good night from Sweden!
/Levi