Is soundstage DEPTH a myth?

I hear so much depth in my house of stereo, it's there, 100% real. The acoustic treatment and speaker positioning probably have most to do with it, but EVERYTHING does matter.

@8th-note

'Santana's first album has a very good soundstage with the illusion of depth.'

Thanks for your post.

I have a near field setup and  listened to the first track (Waiting) a few minutes ago. Especially the drums, particularly Ridebecken or Hi-Hat, changing position from back left to forward mid is clearly audible to me. Closing the eyes supported the illusion. Nice experience indeed.

Hence, my answer is 'no' to the OP's initial question.

(First time I'm listening to Santana intentionally)

Cristina Vane (alt-country with fiddle) makes very fine albums with depth and width. Doesn’t make the mistake of bringing the drums forward or using only left or right channel for instruments thereby creating a natural and “live” soundstage.

Bon Iver’s The Wolves (Act I and II) listen for the ambulance. If you can hear it far away and then get closer your system can do depth.

Toddalin, I think your right about listening room waveform interactions.

     When I get a new CD I usually first listen on my standalone OPPO 83, Pontus II, Jot 2, Aria headphone system to evaluate all the detail, ambiance, tone/timbre, space around instruments/voices, base clarity, etc, etc.

    I'm often pleasantly surprised when I play the same CD on my OPPO 105, Bifrost 2, Pioneer Elite, Vandersteen CE 2, HSU sub, home theater, set for 2 channel...which has less of all the above but often very obvious added depth and height sounds,  Those original Chesky binaural recordings being the exceptions... best on phones.  Also engineered play with phase, I think, can put sounds behind me on the phones.  Very much enjoy both presentations!