Looking for the next level in imaging...

IME, omnidirectionality hurts pin-point imaging by scattering the "image" around the room.

I purposely block the rear of my Heils to improve imaging and others have also reported that this aids their Heil's imaging too.

If you are in Orange County, So Cal, you are welcome to come over and hear what imaging is all about.

Depending on material, soundstage can be wider and deeper than the room and instruments can be located with accuracy as to their placement.  Sometimes stuff even sounds like it's behind you.

I use my own creation which include JBL 2241H (18"), JBL 1151J (9-1/2") and a modified Great Heil. The crossovers are of course of my own design.

This is an older video with some crossover mods done since, but you can see what we are dealing with. Of course don’t expect a YouTube captured on a Nikon DSLR video to image.

BTW, the other speakers in the room include the modified JBL L200s (with increased cabinet volume, L300 long horns, slot tweeters, revised crossovers), one-off Big Red Supers (Altec 604E2s/Utah aux woofers) triamped with one-off electronic crossover and Marantz power amps), and Chartwell LS3/5As.

Room is 26’ x 16’ x 7.5-16 feet and about 5,000 cu ft.

None of these other speakers soundstage/image like the "Mermans" (so named for Ethel because of her loud and clear voice and disrespect for authority).

Can’t create what is not there, but what if it’s there and your system can’t re-create it?  You wouldn't know that it's there when it is.

"As @patrickdowns touched upon briefly with instrument placement I don’t see why so many here look for which instrument is where in a song. Are there more genres than classical orchestras that play music in such a way? Does most everyone here listen only to classical music? Surely it doesn’t matter as much in a studio where everyone is standing? And the sound is in the hands of the engineers anyway. With classical music being a small part of the world of music I fail to see the importance of what instrument is where in a song. I have some classical music in my Qobuz library and it sounds good but I really just want the music I like to listen to to sound great and not worry about what is where. Am I missing something to listen for that would improve my listening experience ? I listen to 60s 70s 80s 90s etc."

I do find it important as to where instruments are placed in the sound field and want to hear them in their "chosen" position. Case in point.

Yes! The chosen position of the instrument/vocal is supposed to be exactly where the engineer placed it in the soundstage and you should be able to discern this location/position. It makes no difference whether it is real or contrived, so long as it is what was intended. In the L&M cut, you should be able to hear the musicians as if they are spaced out in a room infront of you each occupying his own space and not as a "wall" of sound.

"Every recording  has a correct volume, a volume at which it sounds best. This is because our ear's frequency response changes with volume."

The "volume control" is to be used like the "focus" knob on a microscope or telescope.

I prefer the "without" wavetouch. Sounds like you’ve removed the body and dynamics.

Similarly, in the thread when the option of the cuts includes the original, the MBLs, and the wavetouch, I preferred the original. The MBLs sounded too thin (maybe almost "tinny") and the wavetouch sounded contrived.

I get this without the Baach-spacial. Ever listen to Amused to Death?  The guy is talking at the far end of the room over my left shoulder.

In this sequence HAL is behind/overhead.

Yes, I get it at low cost also.

The "Mermans" cost me about $1,500 to build with used JBL speakers and Great Heils, and new crossover components. The Yamaha RX-Z9 cost me $4,050 new in 1993 and now has >30,000 hours on it. The Oppo95 was $300 used.  So, under $6K complete.

A gent from AK was over and said that he had just auditioned a six figure system that did not image as well.

Will anybody be exhibiting the BAACH at The Show in Costa Mesa?