Is imaging reality?

I listen to primarily classical, and primarily orchestral. I also mentioned this in a similar thread:

No, at a live venue, a concert hall, we do not really hear ‘imaging’, but as I stated, I think the difference is, in a concert hall, we also are watching while listening vs only listening to 2 channel without any visual help, and we need/want to make up for not seeing the musicians play, or where we know they are typically located. Thus, for me, listening to orchestral music in my living room, without visual cues, I like to have those imaging cues separating the musicians on the stage as I know they are. In this strange way, it makes it more realistic, both in soundstage width and also more importantly depth. I want that timpani sounding as if is way behind the speakers and at the rear of the stage. Imaging recreates the stage, the room, the hall, etc. when we cannot see it.

The same goes when listening to trio or quartet jazz recordings. I like to hear where each musician is. Or, chamber works, etc. But when I *see* a Jazz trio at a club, it isn’t important. I’m also watching.

Now, it still takes a well recorded album to pull this off well.

And interesting enough, when watching the Berlin Philarmonic live (I have a subscription) through my 5.1 channel HT set-up, everything surrounds me, also not realistic, but all is fine, as I am watching while listening, and it matters little.

When I go to symphonic concerts I prefer halfway back somewhere in the middle-ish. Have sat down front many times and find I like the sound and the view less.

Opera is a little harder to say since in many places the orchestra is in a pit or down very low.

I have never chased after 'realism' in audio, nor in photography, one of my other hobbies (I shoot black and white mostly....and the majority of the real world is not in gray scale). I know those who do, in audio at least, and there is nothing wrong with that. A good recording and a good print need not be 'realistic' for me. They just have to be good.

Have sat down front many times and find I like the sound and the view less.

When seeing an orchestra, ballet, or opera, I prefer the ‘dress circle’ seats. I can see everything from ‘slightly’ above, while also feeling close. And typically sounds wonderful, but in reality, in places like Severance Hall in Cleveland, sounds great wherever you sit. It’s more about the view.

Very interesting and thoughtful responses.
Thank you.

My system images wonderfully, but, more important to me, which my system does extremely well ( with recording variations, of course ), are these characteristics : A sense of power; extreme detail; rich and smooth harmonics and tone; exciting dynamics ( micro and macro ); fast transients, along with natural decay; extended, well defined, deep and full bass; tuneful ( prat ); coherence, everything sounds like it belongs together. I listen to the musicianship....the expressiveness, the passion, the control, of the playing, as individuals, and, as a whole. Once a recording is made, much is lost, starting out with the mic. But, listening to these characteristics I have listed, I enjoy it all. Realistic volume levels makes it that much more enjoyable. If everyone listened, as I do ( I am not alone in how I listen ), putting a system together, would be simpler. Not many systems I have heard, does all of these things well, and I am talking about mega $ stuff. I grew up around, and involved, around live music. I was introduced to horns ( Khorns ), at a very young age. I have heard, and owned, many things. I have developed a sense, of what I like, and what I want. I know, there are better systems than what I own, as I have heard a few. However, understanding, I am listening to recordings, along, with all of my listening experience, allows me to enjoy, fully, my favorite recorded performances. Enjoy !, stay safe, and be well. Always, MrD.