Limited soundstage between speakers


No matter what the source, the soundstage in my system remains within the width of the speakers. I read with envy of systems which extend the soundstage outside the speaker boundaries. Is this a problem with my speakers, amplification, room boundaries or something else?

What change should I make to improve the soundstage?

gyrodec/shelter 501/exposure 3010s2d/ spendorA6

 

rrm

The original poster is nowhere to be found,while others fight amongst themselves. We don't know much about his room.  So I will cast a wide net of ideas.  I messed around with my system for a couple years before I was satified with the sound.  Your speakers look nice and should image well.  Here are some factors that could cause your symptom:

Too close to side walls

Too close to back wall

Wired wrong

Excessive phase cancelling due to reflections, comb filtering

A sub can help focus the playback

Springs under speakers.  This helps but something else is wrong.

If you have a dedicated room, then this is easier.  Some of the setups mixed with furniture in living areas will sound just like your system does now.  My guess is room treatment but need more information. 

OP here,

Gosh, I never thought to provoke so many heated comments. Thanks to all who made positive comments and suggestions.
My living room is 14x19, speakers are on the short wall ,about 3 ft out from the wall and 3.5 ft from the side walls, very slightly toed in. I listen about 8 ft back. There are 3 windows with heavy curtains, Carpet over wood floor, no room treatments. Tonal response is good.

the speakers are in phase according to a test record. As to polarity I have no idea how to test individual components and doubt that it can be changed on any component.

Again thanks to those who gave advice.

 

rrm, Your room dimensions are close to identical to mine. Our set up is a bit different in that my speakers are 5 1/2’ from the back wall and I listen on axis about 9 ft back (about 4 1/2 ft from the wall behind the chair . I’ve minimized side wall bounce and have irregular diffusing stuff on wall behind speakers. If you can you might try moving your speakers a bit closer to the side walls and increasing your toe in to minimize first reflections off the side wall. Toe in slightly in front of your head could help depending on the design of your speakers. Something closer to an equilateral triangle. It could/should perhaps give you a soundstage that fills the wall behind your speakers (assuming that the information is in the recording). Good luck.

Newbee mirrors what i have found...little wider soundstage moving apart and toeing in (over your shoulder) to remove 1st reflections...speaker from front wall measured by tweeter.I think too far from front can loose sound stage...read you dont want side/wall and front/wall the same feet apart.Moving your chair up into  Triangle/soundstage is another thing to try and see were imaging is best.Dont over dampen room...leave some liveness?

Spendor broacher advertising shows their speakers facing directly forward while their Frequently Asked Questions shows toe in aimed at each ear at the listening position which appears to be a very slight isosceles triangle.

Using a familiar or proper recording I'd begin with the manufacturers triangle instructions. Moving a wheeled office chair slowly nearer and farther after any location adjustment may offer you some insight in determining the staging.

My speakers were designed for wide forward facing. Using an approximation of the golden thirds speaker and listening positioning has yield massive staging and acoustical speaker disappearance in my very reflective room.  

You could hire an experienced dealer to do the setup. Best of luck with it.