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The most important factor in soundstage imaging

Everybody wants a system that images well. There are  many discussions here positing equipment changes that will improve imaging. Some people think the magic wand is cables, others are sure it’s the preamp, and the ones that don’t think it’s preamps, think it’s amplifiers. And, of course, speakers are (correctly) mentioned. 

However, the single most important factor in audio stereo imaging, is increasing direct radiation and decreasing reflected radiation, by moving the speakers away from the back wall, and away from the side walls. 
128x128phomchick
tomcarr
1,473 posts
 
In my dedicated listening room, the imaging and soundstage capabilities were created, affected and improved upon by:
1. Room treatment (all four walls, ceiling, floor). Most improvement.
2. Setup (speakers and listening seat positions). 
3. The gear itself.
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n80
2,107 posts
 
@steakster : Really? There's just no need. If you have something to say, say it. Otherwise, not helpful.

In my brief experience the largest impact on soundstage is speaker position but my system is already pretty well matched. 

Having said that, 'get them away from the walls' is not what works for my system. The speakers aren't right up against the walls but closer than most conventional wisdom usually recommends.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,388 posts
 
phonechick.......it ALL maters....but certainly toe in/out should be experimented with.
james63
534 posts
 
Yep, like the others I would add speaker position depending on dispersion pattern of the speakers.

i have found a noisy box to negatively effect the imiging too. A quiet box really helps. 

Gear seem to help from cheap gear to great gear. But very good to great is less so for me. 

What aspect of the gear do you think helps the most? Is it details? Timing? Etc?
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