Proper imaging requires many aspects to come together, about which much has been written and we won't try to summarize. I will say that there are many ways to lose the information that results in a proper image. Cabinet effects including edge diffraction are a big deal as are lack of good transient response and even-handed timbral structure. But, in my opinion, phase coherence is the underappreciated core element. The ear-brain infers elements of space from time-arrival information along the harmonic structure. Jim's designs address that aspect extremely well. Years ago a respected reviewer took a pot shot at the Thiel (CS3 perhaps?) he was reviewing for its "ridiculous soundstage presentation". He complained that they made the classical recording seem like a birds' eye view, like he was in the rafters looking down. How silly! I sought out the recording engineer and, indeed, the mics were all hung overhead. We took that criticism as strong affirmation that we were accomplishing our goals of accurate image representation. We chose to not respond to the review, considering it bad journalistic manners and politics to call out a senior reviewer. To generalize, proper phase angle information is very spotty in recorded music. When it's right, the experience can definitely take the listener into the recording environment. Thanks for sharing, prof.
