Moving from mid-fi to hi-fi -- Imaging questions


Hi. I am in the processing fine tuning the placement of my Magnepan 3.6's. I am new to the kind of detailed imaging these magnificent speakers provide. A few questions arise ...

What does it mean when I have excellent imaging but the instruments are in the wrong place? For example, I can pinpoint the high-hat cymbals and the snare drum but they are like 6 feet apart. I know from playing drums that that is just not possible. Also on drums, the distance when between tom toms is unrealistic -- like on the out edges of all the other instruments.

Sometimes voices are right on top of each other when I feel sure one is actually standing on the left and one on the right. Other times, the voices are clearly side by side.

I have a wide variety of cds, many considered audiophile grade. I am wondering if these are differences in the way the recording and or mixing is done. Overall, the music sounds great and imaging is exquisite but I want to get the most these speakers offer. Do I need to keep working my placement or am I reaching the limit of the source material?

As a side question: Is there any difference in the quality of manufactured CDs? I read once that some cds (BMG for example) were lower quality. I always buy my music used. Is there any difference in brands of cds? And down side to buying used cds?

Thanks all.
mcmanus

Showing 2 responses by mcmanus

Zaikesman -- thanks for your comments. I started with a listening position that was 2X the distance between the speakers. The closer I got, the better the imaging. I had a problem with the right side being dominant and when I move back, that problem comes back. I'll try the equal distance traingle. I've tried having the tweeters on the inside and on the outside. The outside is to be best for this room. From the postings here, most Maggie owners place them on the outside except in smaller rooms.
Nsgarch - my room is 19' by 18' with a valuted ceiling and no room treatments yet. The speakers have been 3' to 8' from the back wall and 3' to 6' from the side walls at various times. Right now they are 3' from back and side. The tweeters are 11 feet apart and my sitting position is 8' from the tweeter.