Has anyone in Mi.acheived holographic imaging?

I agree it's important to get the speakers precisely in the ideal locations. Unfortunately, and I kind of suspect this might rub some folks the wrong way, but the precise locations within a 1/8" or 1/4" or whatever is not really achievable by ear. Something like the speaker set up track on the XLO Test CD is required, a methodological way to find the precise locations for ANY speakers in ANY room. The problem with trying to do this by listening a little and moving a little is that you will never find the REAL best locations only the local maximum locations. You might find GOOD locations by ear but you won't find the BEST ones.

One of the most holographic experiences I have had was in a dealership. The system was a Mac computer w/puremusic feeding a Simaudio integrated into a pair of Dynaudio X12s. Speakers were placed far from the back and side walls. One could literally walk into the soundstage and experience the band members around oneself. The system cables probably were more expensive than the active components, however I doubt that was the defining factor. I only wish I had a audio room with that expanse for speaker placement.

There is only one instance I recall over the years where I heard multiple sets of speakers set up in teh same room in different spots concurrently all do "holography" to the nth degree. That was at a local Tweeter store a few years back. One pair were midrange Martin Logan Electrostats and the other two a pair of FOcal PRofile 918s and 928s. Source and amplification was midrange Krell.

I doubt these were set up with any great precision or that the gear was inherently superior, though all were very good. More likely the large rectangular lively room with untreated walls and a lot of reflection coming from a lot of wall area behind the listening location were the primary reasons.

The other singular most holographic demo I have ever heard was an mbl 111 demo at United Home Audio in Annapolis junction. Again the key here I think was the large showroom with ample space both behind the speakers and the listener combined with a really optimized setup. The area behind the speakers was heavily treated, side walls not parallel, and a good 20 feet or more deep with similar space behind the listener.

With omni directional speakers like mbl or even bipolar speakers like Magnepan, a lot of distance to the rear wall is usually required. Speakers may be 1/3 or more well into the room from teh front wall, and the setup is optimized based upon how the relative sound pattern radiates and is dispersed.

Once you a have a room and speakers and high quality low distortion gear suited to the task, tweaking to get things just right will generally take some time and yes small differences in placement are significant.

So its no easy task to get all of that just right which helps explain why it is not that common.

Mesh, yes you reminded me the first time I heard a truly holographic demo was also with Dynaudio monitors set up very wide apart yet still with lots of space to front wall and modest space to side walls. I have been a huge Dynaudio fan ever since.

Actually, here are the most notable ones I have heard over the years at dealers:

-Magnepan (SS amp) at Audition Audio in Birmingham AL (~1987)
-Dynaudio (SS amp) at now defunct dealer in Ownings Mills MD (~1993)
-Martin Logan/Focal (Krell SS amp) at Tweeter, OWings Mills MD (~2008)
-Magico (VAC tube amp) at Sound By Singer, New York City (smallest room) (~2010)
-mbl (mbl SS amp)at United Home Audio, Annapolis Junction MD (~2010)
- PSB (ARC tube amp) at Listening Room, Pikesville MD (~2010)

- YG Acoustics and Magico (unknown amp) at Capital Audiofest (~2011)