Clio09,
I think there is something to the perceived soundstage depth argument postulated by your sound engineer friend. Much like finding the "correct" volume for any given recording, I often find myself shifting my chair slightly forward or back (maybe 3-4" either way) to find the correct listening perspective for any particular recording where center images snap into focus, and the soundstage expands nicely in all three axes. Given the wide array of monitoring positions and speaker locations used by mixing engineers while twiddling the pan pots, it would seem logical that reproducing any perspective of depth and width would vary based upon these unknowable factors (not that stereo isn't a complete contrivance anyway). While I don't agree with shoving speakers against a wall unless they're designed for it, the discussion is an interesting one.
I think there is something to the perceived soundstage depth argument postulated by your sound engineer friend. Much like finding the "correct" volume for any given recording, I often find myself shifting my chair slightly forward or back (maybe 3-4" either way) to find the correct listening perspective for any particular recording where center images snap into focus, and the soundstage expands nicely in all three axes. Given the wide array of monitoring positions and speaker locations used by mixing engineers while twiddling the pan pots, it would seem logical that reproducing any perspective of depth and width would vary based upon these unknowable factors (not that stereo isn't a complete contrivance anyway). While I don't agree with shoving speakers against a wall unless they're designed for it, the discussion is an interesting one.