Why don't more recordings have soundstage outside of speakers

Of the systems I have heard, painfully few of them were operating at near the level of their maximum capability. The people were generally happy with what they had and did not feel like spending any more money or messing around with tweaks. Judging from this I think many people could make very significant improvements in sound quality without changing most of their equipment.

Thanks for your kind word to me first...

I will only add to your post that i never pretend that a low cost system like mine will beat costly one...I just claim that any system can gain way more upgrading power by simple basic method to controls their working embeddings dimensions: mechanical,electrical and especially acoustical....


What make sense in audio is ONLY the ratio s.q. /price after the system has been put under controls...Not the price in itself....

And my other point is a "relatively good system" dont cost a fortune and will surprize any owner of a very costly one if it is rightfully embed....Not because the low cost system will be better than the costly one, but because the difference between the 2 will be always there BUT way less than imagined....

Why did i never dream about upgrade now after 8 years of dreaming about Hi-Fi reviews?

Why did i place all my 7 headphones in a drawer definitively?

Because a minimally good S.Q. is possible and when you own it you listen music and no more sound , you are in bliss and not in frustration...

Some boast about their brand new upgrade electronic piece of gear, i vouch instead by acoustic control, mechanical control, and electrical grid noise floor control....

And i never bought some costly "tweaks" for that....i prefer to promote creativity than consumerism....


My best to you....

All the top engineers are accustomed to working with phase in a recording. I think the most interesting story I’ve run across was from Alan Parsons who explained how he got imaging on Dark Side of he Moon on a tiny little console and rudimentary gear.
Brad

By the way, how far are you guys sitting from your speakers?  I think the closer you are, the wider the soundstage?

Just a little further than the distance the speakers are apart. Just outside the triangle. 

If you get a very wide soundstage with some recordings, you know your system can do it. We are all at the mercy of the recording engineers. Most recordings are just so-so. 
Happy Listening!