My answer to the original question is YES. However the degree to which one can hear specific locations within a soundstage is dependent on the quality and synergy of equipment used.
I hear width, depth and height from my system, in my room.
My reference is a Jazz Quartet. Can I close my eyes and point to the location of each musician ? Does the soundstage allow me to see the drummer moving brushes along a cymbal ? Is transient response good enough to hear the initial strike of a cymbal or drum head, then the sound of the material struck, then the decay of the note ? Do I hear each drum head in distinct space ? Does the image project brass notes as distinct notes, or blended together without much distinction ? Does a vocalist move their head around the microphone ?
I have experienced pinpoint imaging, and answered YES to the above questions using the following speakers:
Triangle Titus 202
Rogers 15ohm LS3/5a
KEF LS50
The KEF are a recent acquisition and I am still tweaking location to achieve best performance. Currently, they are about 6 ft apart, about 3ft from side walls and about 4ft from the back wall, and I sit about 6.5 ft way from the center line. The cabinets are toed in slightly. Imaging is superb (pinpoint again), along with frequency extension. But I hear some upper bass/low midrange emphasis that affects vocals. I understand that careful positioning can largely remove this issue.
The ability to hear pinpoint imaging was improved by changing to a Triode TRV-P845SE as my main amplifier. I have also used recently restored MAC 225 and 240 to good effect. I heard the Triode amp at several audio shows, and at each show the room it was in was among the best I heard. I waited patiently, and finally acquired one at an attractive price.
Preamps have a significant impact on the image one hears. I thought I was doing well using a Conrad Johnson PV5. Then I acquired an Audible Illusions M3 preamp, which was a significant improvement. A few years later, I upgraded to an Audio Research SP10-MKII. WOW ! Not only pinpoint imaging across the space in front of me, but I could hear depth and height ! I could hear fingers moving up and down the neck of a standing bass. I could hear the relative locations of a trumpet bell, and the mouth of a tenor saxophone. Each occupied distinct space that could be identified as they played in unison. More recently, I picked up an Audible Illusions M3B (current model). This pre retains the virtues of the ARC SP10, but has a silent background and better transient response.
Equipment: Linn LP12 ITTOK LVII / Denon 103D SS Ruby rebuild / Cinemag 3440 SUT -or- Technics SP25 AT1503 MKIII arm / Ortophon CG25DI MKIII MONO cartridge
I hear width, depth and height from my system, in my room.
My reference is a Jazz Quartet. Can I close my eyes and point to the location of each musician ? Does the soundstage allow me to see the drummer moving brushes along a cymbal ? Is transient response good enough to hear the initial strike of a cymbal or drum head, then the sound of the material struck, then the decay of the note ? Do I hear each drum head in distinct space ? Does the image project brass notes as distinct notes, or blended together without much distinction ? Does a vocalist move their head around the microphone ?
I have experienced pinpoint imaging, and answered YES to the above questions using the following speakers:
Triangle Titus 202
Rogers 15ohm LS3/5a
KEF LS50
The KEF are a recent acquisition and I am still tweaking location to achieve best performance. Currently, they are about 6 ft apart, about 3ft from side walls and about 4ft from the back wall, and I sit about 6.5 ft way from the center line. The cabinets are toed in slightly. Imaging is superb (pinpoint again), along with frequency extension. But I hear some upper bass/low midrange emphasis that affects vocals. I understand that careful positioning can largely remove this issue.
The ability to hear pinpoint imaging was improved by changing to a Triode TRV-P845SE as my main amplifier. I have also used recently restored MAC 225 and 240 to good effect. I heard the Triode amp at several audio shows, and at each show the room it was in was among the best I heard. I waited patiently, and finally acquired one at an attractive price.
Preamps have a significant impact on the image one hears. I thought I was doing well using a Conrad Johnson PV5. Then I acquired an Audible Illusions M3 preamp, which was a significant improvement. A few years later, I upgraded to an Audio Research SP10-MKII. WOW ! Not only pinpoint imaging across the space in front of me, but I could hear depth and height ! I could hear fingers moving up and down the neck of a standing bass. I could hear the relative locations of a trumpet bell, and the mouth of a tenor saxophone. Each occupied distinct space that could be identified as they played in unison. More recently, I picked up an Audible Illusions M3B (current model). This pre retains the virtues of the ARC SP10, but has a silent background and better transient response.
Equipment: Linn LP12 ITTOK LVII / Denon 103D SS Ruby rebuild / Cinemag 3440 SUT -or- Technics SP25 AT1503 MKIII arm / Ortophon CG25DI MKIII MONO cartridge