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Is soundstaging emblematic of reality?

Now that finally I have a system that soundstages excellently, I’m wondering if it’s actually  a vital component of a real concert experience.  In most genres of music, unless you’re sitting very close to the action, you don’t get the kind of precise imaging revealed in a good stereo setup.  That’s because microphones are usually (with some rare exceptions) placed close up. If you’re sitting in the middle to back section of an audience (which most people do) you certainly don’t hear anything close to holographic imaging, or even what most people accept as satisfactory imaging. 
Granted, it’s loads of fun to hear this soundstaging. And I certainly love it.  Some people might consider it the ideal music experience. But is it an essential component of musical enjoyment?


128x128rvpiano
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rvpiano OP
2,516 posts
 
Maplegrovemusic,

You bring up a good point. 
I just think imaging should not be over valued as the end-all of music production.
Many other tonal  factors enter into it.  
Also, some of us get hung up with the pursuit of imaging and forget that the music is the real object.

 
wlutke
723 posts
 
Rvpiano
+1, Soundstaging and imaging insure that the musicians are in the room.  Expression and interplay insure they are interesting.  
rodman99999
6,039 posts
 
Sound staging and imaging, put me in the venue.    Instruments and people have size, shape and weight/impact.   A live venue; dimensions and resonances.  Good imaging and sound staging, will resolve all(given a good recording).  
bpoletti
1,540 posts
 
Everyone has different listening preferences.  One person's appreciation of imaging and soundstage is another annoying distraction.  

In listening to classical music, I personally consider strong imaging and soundstage reproduction an enhancement to the listening pleasure.  
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
Soundstaging exists in the imagination!
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