orthophonic

Orthophonic refers to a sound reproduction system developed by the Victor Talking Machine Company. Introduced in 1925, the Orthophonic system represented a significant advancement in the fidelity of phonograph recordings and playback. It was designed to overcome the limitations of earlier acoustic recording and playback technologies, which often produced distorted and tinny sound.

The key innovation of the Orthophonic system was its use of a folded exponential horn in the reproducer, replacing the smaller, less efficient horn found in earlier Victrola models. This larger horn allowed for a more natural and faithful reproduction of the full range of frequencies present in the original sound. The system also benefited from improvements in recording techniques, which captured a wider dynamic range.

Orthophonic records were typically made of a harder shellac compound than previous recordings, which contributed to improved durability and sound quality. When played on an Orthophonic Victrola, these records produced a richer, clearer, and more lifelike sound. The term "Orthophonic" itself suggests "correct sound" or "straight sound," reflecting the company's ambition to achieve accurate audio reproduction. The Orthophonic system was a major factor in the success of Victor Talking Machine Company during the late 1920s and paved the way for future developments in high-fidelity audio.