When you capture the sound of the speaker in the farfield and then play it back, the sound is "correct" if your ear was right at the speaker, though, right?
No.
Explained below.
Doesn't listening to that capture at ~2+ meters do something further to the sound to distinguish it from the sound you are trying to have?
Once again, no. And, explained below.
First: the "No" to the above was not scolding... I hope it did not come across that way.
Explanation:
A *proper* FF IR that is created to provide the "sonic fingerprint" of a speaker(s) and the enclosure (cab), but to not include any environment variables (room, mic, etc), so as to provide the same experience as one might get with an FRFR *enclosure* directly substituted for said original cab... such an IR requires certain criteria to be met, and such criteria are stringent, and have strict, proven scientific foundation.
To elaborate and simplify a bit: The science and math provide the equations to determine the minimum requirements for the room that can be utilized, the placement of the cab, the placement of the mic, and the results one can expect. To provide for an uncolored capture, one must also utilize the proper equipment, which must be known to be operating properly. Finally, the person(s) performing the captures must be adequately versed in such methods. To compromise in any aspect of all of this will result in an inaccurate capture. However, as we are appreciative of *distortions and coloring*, so it is that compromise can be desirable
.
Multiple speakers in a cab provide for certain effects, notably comb filtering. Also, the FRFR system, in use, may not provide for an "identical enough experience" for some, which is understandable, if even only considering the psychological aspect. IME, as touched upon in this thread, I believe that, when implemented properly, a properly captured and convolved IR via an FRFR system can be indiscernible from the original cab.
I don't understand why it isn't possible to simply have the FRFR cabinet mimic the frequency response of a given cabinet and speaker and let the room and air do what they normally do... it obviously isn't or such discussions of farfield, nearfield, mixing, etc... wouldn't occur.
I saw in another discussion a suggestion that someone's mix of IR's was so blended from different sources that it approximated an "ideal" representation of the other speaker. I wonder if there isn't something to that.
IMO, the issue is with capture, and reproduction.
For the majority of us, IR use is either 3rd party offerings, or self-created IRs that fall short of what I described as "proper" above to some degree. As such, we are not (as a majority, not an entirety!!!) experiencing what you described, and this is why these discussions occur
We end up trying to create something that comes close to what we have or want. Ask yourself: "If I could have my favorite cab in the Axe, would I need to blend, etc still?" IOW, is your real-life cab already "good enough"? Or, to cite Sasha from last week, are we simply settling for that cab's tone due to our inability to tweak it, beyond replacing speakers?
Next, consider the inherent nature of the bulk of IRs out there; they provide for a similar experience of sitting in a studio control room, with you playing your guitar through someone else's rig, with a mic on the cab in another room somewhere.
I have gotten close enough with my experiments to produce IR results that are quite satisfying.. to me. I am learning where my incompetences lie, and also where my environment's shortcomings lie (room size is the prime prohibitant currently). I am confident that if I were able to hire AlbertA or Jay M, ship my cabs to them, and have them capture the IRs I desire, the result would allow me to substitute an FRFR system for my cab (same proximity and size, of course), and while blindfolded, I would not be able to pick the cab correctly 100% of the time. It took me weeks to reach that conclusion though! Weeks of deep, obsessive research, countless text exchanges, and several "experimental sessions." Anyone can do the same if they desire, but be forewarned: the investment of time and patience would likely be significant.
You bring up excellent questions. IMO, the best part is that you questioned things