Staging is a function of both recording and playback equipment. I'd also agree with previous posts that there's no "perfect" paradigm that you're seeking for all recordings. Highly processed or manipulated recordings can even cause you to sense images that seem to be coming from behind your head (check out many of the Qsound recordings for this effect).
Heavy pan potting (Theme from Shaft, among many others) can create shifting instrument locations that are part of the intended artistic effect. You can seek out minimally miked records for purist stereo effects, but that approach is too limiting (in terms of music that I enjoy) for me.
Heavy pan potting (Theme from Shaft, among many others) can create shifting instrument locations that are part of the intended artistic effect. You can seek out minimally miked records for purist stereo effects, but that approach is too limiting (in terms of music that I enjoy) for me.