 In other words, it exhibits minimal emphasis or de-emphasis of particular frequencies, the loudspeaker gives an accurate reproduction of the tonal qualities of the source audio ("uncolored" or "transparent" are synonyms), and there will be no relative phase shift of particular frequencies—meaning no distortion in sound-stage perspective for stereo recordings.Beyond stereo sound-stage requirements, a linear phase response helps impulse response remain true to source without encountering "smearing".An unqualified reference to a "monitor" often refers to a "near-field" (compact or close-field) design.