Acoustics experts - a little help please

To OP

As posted above, the recording must have the sense of depth and height. IMO, if the recording has the sense and you know it but cannot hear that, then i think it must be your speakers?? 

What i have observed is that I have a set of speakers that images very well, BUT i also have a set of speakers that cannot image with depth and height. 

so do not disregard that speakers also play a role in depth/height projection

Yes, you need to treat the ceiling, especially between speaker and listener.  It can make old home theaters sound like they have atmos.  Also, we can somewhat compensate for lack of treatments elsewhere here.  If you are having resonance/room mode issues you should consider 4" thick panels.

Made a few simple changes in moving equipment below the height of my speakers and moved my coffee table away. Also removed the top shelves of my equipment stands since they aren’t in use now so the stands are more skeletal. I also moved my TV back as far as I could and have it covered with a defraction panel. Unfortunately i can’t move my TT shelf that is bolted to the wall studs. Nevertheless, the results are positive. Listening to Birds by Dominique Fils-Aimé i think the bass is moved back a little into the soundstage with the vocal a few feet in front. Other interesting percussion sounds cime from behind the vocals as well. It’s a good start for 0$. Now thinking about ceiling treatments. 

Treating ceiling is good, however, with 9' ceiling somewhat less important. In the end acoustic treatments can only do so much, the equipment and recording provide the soundstage/imaging, room treatments simply allow for realizing  full potential of the equipment and recording.

OP, 

Glad you are hearing good results by changing what is between the speakers. Once I start fiddling with the stuff in between my speakers, I realized I could easily hear the hole they created in the sound stage. I motivated me to eliminate the stuff in the center, except the amp and the soundstage filled the space and behind it. It was painful for me, buying a 4 meter expensive pair of interconnects, but worth it.