What is very good imaging and soundstage exactly.


I do not often listen to systems other than my own and so I don't have much to compare to. I'm really curious what others are hearing when their systems are dialed in, especially regarding the soundstage thing. Briefly, what I hear from my sweet spot goes something like this. Always a focused center image.....it often seems to be coming right out of the center of my preamp, which is 3 feet behind the plane of my speakers and centered. It will move slightly if I move my head from side to side. On most recordings, the soundstage is mainly back there as well, somewhat behind the speakers. Once in a while, a part of the music seems to come directly from a speaker.....like the banjo player on Alison Krause/Union Station.....that boy lives in my right speaker. It sort of bugs me that he is right at the speaker, rather than behind it, but this doesn't happen very often. Most of the time my speakers disappear quite well. Once in a great while, I hear information outside of the speakers to the right or left. So my question is, is this good or bad, is it normal? Do you have favorite recordings that are impressive in terms of soundstage, and what do you hear as far as depth and width, etc.?
240zracer
Answer to your question, Bob. My room is not treated, but it is not finished either. I don't think I have any problems with reflection. I have started to listen to music in the dark lately because I think I have a mindset that does not allow for sounds to emanate from beyond the far wall. It actually works to some degree:) Justlisten, your name is what I have rarely been able to do. That is largely due to being a speaker builder. It gives me way too many things to think about and worry about rather than just listen. I asked my question here because, like you, I think I am getting closer to something very good but have no good reference points. I mentioned Krause because that is one of the recordings I own that I think is recorded and mixed well and at least is capable of some realism. I also have recordings where everything is in a narrow focus and recordings that seem like they come from each speaker, with little center image. I really really wish I could hear a system like the one you mentioned as having the huge 3D stage so I know what is possible.
Any place between the speakers depending on the recording. Depth of the sound varies from a few feet in front of speakers to much further away (generally room ambience from the recording and loss of highs tend to affect distance perception). Rarely outside the speakers, except for sounds that have no apparent location.
Shadorne, you just reminded me of something when you said "in front of the speakers". I have a CD that I borrowed from my neighbor, On and On by Jack Johnson. It must be what happens when there is absolutely no room ambiance. Most forward thing I have heard, not to mention some of the best drums and bass I have heard....WOW. I think it was recorded in the guys garage, if I recall correctly.