Comb Filtering
Comb filtering occurs when two identical (or nearly identical) signals, one delayed in time relative to the other, are added. Depending on the delay time, the resulting summed signal can sound hollow or “boingy”, and is usually considered an undesirable sound.. Comb filtering occurs most commonly when signals are combined electronically, such as in a hard disc based recording system, but can also occur acoustically, such as a talker located slightly off axis of two identical microphones spaces inches apart.
(Thanks to Ken-at-Bose for this information).