Soundstage Width and Depth


I’m curious about what your systems produce when it comes to soundstage. My speakers are about 8’ apart and I sit about 10’ from the front plane of the speakers. The speakers are toed in so that they each are pointed at a spot about 8” from my ears on each side. (Laser verified) My room is treated with bass absorption and diffusers.

In many recordings my soundstage is approx 28’ wide and, although this is tougher to determine, I would say on most recordings I’m hearing sounds 10’-15’ further back than the speaker plane. Some sounds, usually lead guitars, are presented slightly in front of the plane of the speakers. There are also recordings that produce height in the soundstage. Some fill the room floor to ceiling, while others are more on the same plane about 5’ from the floor. I do get layers usually in about the same order, guitars, lead singer, bass guitar, drums, violins and backup instruments and singers in order front to back. Again this is recording dependent. Intimate recordings that feature a singer playing a guitar usually has all of the sound between the speakers. Is this what everyone experiences? Could the depth be deeper? Do many of you hear sounds in front of the speaker plane? Do you have any recordings that accentuate the front to back soundstage?
baclagg

Showing 1 response by cat_doorman

There a couple of Stanley Clarke tracks that are just electric bass and Gregory Hines tapping for percussion. You can feel the size of the stage and follow steps he takes.

Another track that never fails to amaze me is by The Propellerheads and starts with a skateboarder. While I fully expect to hear the panning back and forth, hearing the depth of the half pipe below my floor is always a surprise. I kinda get how speakers can sound forward or laid back, how the soundstage can extend beyond the speakers left or right, but up and down is mystifying.