weird soundstage with pianos

I agree with the above statements, but I would say that presenting the music is more important than presenting the piano and while it may be annoying for the effect that is being discussed, the close miking can make the music itself more intelligible. Live I want to hear a piano however it sounds. But at home, since I really cannot have that, Im more interested in the music itself. (and still an audiogoner!)

It's definately the recordings and not your set up. I hear the same thing. On some recordings drums span the whole sound stage. So if your speakers are 8 feet apart you'll be listening to an 8-10 foot drum set. With piano's the same, you'll hear a good sound stage for some notes then all of a sudden a note will shoot out of nowhere far away from the rest of the notes. In that case, like Tarsando mentioned it is best just to focus on the music, otherwise you'll just be confused.

Best Regards,
Rob

Seems they do this with drums, too. Bass brum, tom-toms from one speaker, high-hat from the other, snare somewhere in the middle. I'm with Tom, this is annoying....

Piano is a bitch to get right. Let go and enjoy the music... peace,warren

Ah, but when it's good, it's good!