Wes Martin 3/1/25 Wes Martin 3/1/25

Hearing is Believing: My Experience Comparing Two Sonic Giants

When it comes to legendary concert halls, few venues in the world hold as much prestige as Carnegie Hall in New York and the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas. Both spaces are designed to deliver world-class acoustics, but they do so in very different ways. Since I’ve spent my career obsessed with sound—whether playing guitar in cool venues, mixing, mastering, or training others to use their ears more effectively—it only makes sense to break down these two sonic giants for what they truly are: instruments in their own right.

Starting at Meyerson: Beautiful but Clinical

My journey with these legendary halls began in March of 2024 at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas. From the moment I stepped in, I was struck by its sheer beauty—the design, the architecture, and the pristine sonic clarity. But as I listened, I noticed something: while impressive, it felt a bit clinical. The precision was undeniable, the articulation of every instrument clear as day, and the reverb long but tightly controlled. It was as if the hall had been fine-tuned to perfection, but in doing so, had left behind some of the magic that makes live music feel alive.

Arriving at Carnegie Hall: Warmth & Inspiration

Then, the same year I traveled to New York and stepped into Carnegie Hall. The moment I heard the first note, I knew this was different—this was special. Warm, natural, and effortless, the sound wrapped around the room like it had a life of its own. Carnegie doesn’t just project sound; it breathes with the performance. Compared to Meyerson, it felt like stepping from a perfectly polished studio mix into a beautifully mastered analog recording—rich, immersive, and organic.

I was able to experience the sound environment of the Winter Garden Theater which proved very impressive. Even when I compared it to other renowned theaters, like the Winter Garden Theatre, which are great in their own right and finely tuned for Broadway productions, Carnegie Hall still stood apart. The reverb wasn’t just good—it was perfect. Whether it was a soloist, a symphony, or even just a spoken word, everything sounded like it was meant to be performed there. It’s a hall where music doesn’t just exist—it transcends.

Carnegie Hall: The Warmth of History

Built in 1891, Carnegie Hall has long been a gold standard for natural acoustics. The moment you step inside, you’re enveloped in a warmth that only a century-plus of performances can create. Its acoustics are often described as intimate, rich, and resonant, with a signature midrange warmth that flatters everything from a full symphony to a soloist whispering a melody across the space.

The secret? A combination of shoebox design, curved balconies, and dense, aged plaster walls that subtly reinforce the lower-mid and mid frequencies, making performances feel up-close and personal, no matter where you sit. There’s also a unique “bounce” to the hall—the way sound lingers and gently returns to you—giving it a lush, organic decay that can make even the softest notes feel present and alive.

Mix engineers take note: If you ever need a reference for warm, natural reverb with a smooth roll-off, Carnegie Hall is your benchmark.

Meyerson Symphony Center: Precision Meets Power

Now, enter the Meyerson, a modern masterpiece built in 1989 with a completely different philosophy. Unlike Carnegie’s organic warmth, Meyerson is about precision, clarity, and control—without losing the richness that makes orchestral music shine.

Designed by the legendary Russell Johnson, the Meyerson features adjustable acoustics, including retractable canopies and moveable acoustic curtains that let engineers fine-tune the hall for different performances. It has a longer reverb tail than Carnegie, often stretching past two seconds, but it’s incredibly even across the frequency spectrum. You get crystal-clear articulation of individual instruments without sacrificing the blend of the ensemble.

If Carnegie is about natural warmth and resonance, Meyerson is about balance and transparency. The bass response is tight and well-defined, highs remain silky and extended, and the overall mix feels almost "mastered" right in the room.

How Do They Compare?

Warmth vs. Clarity: Carnegie leans toward warmth and natural resonance, while Meyerson offers pinpoint precision with adjustable acoustics.
Reverb Character: Carnegie’s reverb is lush and organic, rolling off gently. Meyerson’s is longer and more controlled.
Intimacy vs. Spaciousness: Carnegie makes everything feel up-close and personal. Meyerson gives you a grander sense of space but with remarkable clarity.
Legacy vs. Innovation: Carnegie is an acoustical legend built on tradition. Meyerson is a modern marvel engineered for versatility.

The Takeaway for Audio Pros

If you want a reference for classic, vintage warmth, Carnegie Hall is your gold standard. If you want a reference for modern clarity and precision, Meyerson should be on your list. Both are stunning in their own right, but their differences remind us that acoustics, much like mixing, are all about intent.

Whether you’re shaping the low mids in a vocal, adjusting reverb tails in a mix, or just dialing in your in-ear monitors, remember: sound is always about space. And few places in the world shape space better than these two legendary halls.

This article is part of my ongoing series on Breakroom Audio, right alongside Mix with Your Ears, Not Your Eyes. Let’s keep the conversation going—because great sound is meant to be heard, not just measured.

Mix With Your Ears, Not Your Eyes