3D imaging


I I started thinking about this yesterday. What makes speakers produce a 3D image? I figured the first thing is the recording itself. I'm guessing mic placement has a lot to do with this. Next I would imagine is room,and speaker placement. Downstream gear certainly has to have some effect on this. Does the crossover have something to do with providing this "illusion " for lack of a better term? 
     Now please understand,I don't have anywhere near the technical knowledge a lot of you folks have,so as you explain this phenomenon,please dumb it down for me! 
    Thanks in advance,
        Ray
128x128rocray
rocray OP
What makes speakers produce a 3D image? I figured the first thing is the recording itself. I’m guessing mic placement has a lot to do with this. Next I would imagine is room,and speaker placement.
The last one is the biggie, you should have nothing between the speakers, and as far back as you can get, this will be the best way of getting the most imagining and depth properties to be had.
Forget placing your "glitzy equipment" in between your speakers (so you can gaze at it in wonderment while listening) this is a killer for image and depth, it should all be at the side, well back
Cheers George
To my ears,I seem to be getting very pleasing(again to my ears) imaging. However,I do plan on heeding your advice in moving my equipment next to and slightly behind my seating position. I’m expecting even better imaging with that change. This will also coincide with treating my room better. Fortunately as this is a dedicated listening room,I am able to pull the speakers out well in front of my rack. This being a temporary solution until I can free up space to move my lp collection out of my small (9x13x8) room.
I have always preferred having the speaker facing straight forward. I do take careful measurements that they are the same distance from the back wall and that I sit in exactly the midpoint between the two speakers.  Yes, this makes for a VERY small sweet spot.  But I am the only person who listens who even cares about imaging and the sweet spot so, I suit myself.  

 I have tried numerous times to toe in speakers in varying degrees, including directly at my sitting position. It makes for a larger sweet spot. However having them pointed straight forward allows for the image to go beyond the outside edge of each speaker.  I much WIDER soundstage is achieved for me this way. 
Look into MA Gold 100 5g. Better image than Focal Sopra 1 and Diablo monitors. Truly sleeper speakers.