rvpiano, Not necessarily for your benefit, but FWIW as it does relate to others, re 'side to side' imaging, it is important when evaluating this to remember the 'stereo' construct does not provide for any 'in phase' stereo image to appear outside of the boundary of the speakers themselves, i.e. between the boxes (?) on the plane of the speakers.
What does happen, which suggests to folks that sounds appearing on the outside of the speakers is inherent in the speakers/stereo signals is that these sounds are the result of 'out of phase' signals (reverse one set of speaker cables connections and watch the stage expand, become amorphous, and loose center image altogether) on the disc or a speaker placement too close to a side wall. Such placement can not only enhance the sense of brightness which can be reduced by wall treatment or toe in the latter of which I believe is more effective. To not deal effectively with the close side wall reflections can definitely give a sense of increased stage width, but it can also increase the sense of brightness and, due to the too early merging of the direct signal from the speaker and the side wall reflection, reduce the resolution in the main soundfield.
Perhaps, just perhaps now, your friends system is properly set up and the reduced sense of stage width is as it should be.
IMHO, anyway.
