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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
bpoletti
1,547 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!
rodman99999
6,108 posts
 
The dimensions and Sabine acoustics of any live venue are reality. The reproduction and/or consciousness of such, depends on everything from recording/microphone setup, to the end listener’s system, speakers, room, ears and brain. (https://audioengineusa.com/explore/what-is-a-soundstage/) (https://audiophilereview.com/audiophile-news/is-stereo-imaging-overrated.html) (https://www.stereophile.com/asweseeit/1286awsi/index.html) The OP asked, "But is it an essential component of musical enjoyment?" Some people simply do not care about it’s reproduction. Some of us, interested in a more realistic reflection of an actual musical event, do.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Reality exists in the imagination. One’s reality is limited by a limited imagination. A soundstage quality is a product of sensory perception, imagination, quality of the system and recording as well as memory and the mind’s ability and skill of integration and location. We are the champions! We are the Clash!
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,653 posts
 
I listen mostly to classical.   It is true that when the microphones are placed in an ideal spot in an orchestra (or for that matter in a chamber group,) and there is no multi-miking, a good illusion of reality can be achieved.  With multi-miking in any venue, the reality is “created” by the engineers. 
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