From whence does Sound Stage come?

@mahler123 Your response about feeling like a kid in the garage made me chuckle. I have considered DSP processing of the signal, and it is available to me on the upstairs system (the one with the McIntosh XRT speakers). My experiences with multichannel sound has been mixed with two exceptions: (1) Center Speaker, and (2) subwoofer(s). Until the recent acquisition and installation of the XRT speaker system, I hadn’t listened to music except for a local classical music station favored by a frequent visitor and occasional CD playing in the background. The use of the upstairs is likely to remain ‘entertainment’ as opposed to serious listening. 
 

However, you do bring up an important point about a multichannel system’s ability to recreate a listening space via digital processing of the signal. Whereas a traditional stereo recording care must be taken to include spatial information (the venue); then Yahaha comes out and says, ‘flip this switch and your recording will sound like it was recorded in Carnegie Hall through the magic of DSP.’  But I gotta say, after spending 20 years waiting for television shows to fully implement 5.1 or 7.1 I’m still waiting. Maybe I’m just not watching the right shows.
 

But I digress. I currently use my AV Receiver with Front Left & Right and Center plus a Subwoofer. Speakers were chosen for treble clarity, and work well to bring me clear dialog to accompany the sub-titles. I have considered putting side and rear surrounds in the ceiling, but I have been advised against it. And based on my previous experience, I’m no sure it would be worth the trouble: re-arrange the room, move the primary listening position, and then what?

Anyway, thanks for responding, I’m not saying, ‘never,’ but I am saying, ‘not now.’

@asctim I think you and I are on the same page. I have stated above that there must be a strong psycho-acoustic element to all this to even have a stereo image to begin with. The LEDR test signals rodman9995 shared takes it a step further to evaluate how the shape of our ears👂 , or pinnae, contribute to our perception of sound.
Two of my sons have visited recently (successive weekends) and listened to both systems, and then given me their evaluations. The discussion, in both cases, centered around the quantity and quality of the bass. I’ve attempted to explain the differences based on differences on the technology: the B&W 801s downstairs are a front-ported bass-reflex design; the McIntosh XRT20s upstairs have sealed cabinets. One son described the downstairs system as being much more ‘plugged in’ whereas the upstairs system was much more laidback. He said he preferred the 801s. The other son preferred the XRTs and contrasted the ‘studio sound’ from the 801s to the ‘made for the home’ sound of the XRTs upstairs.

I’ve been mainly focused on acquiring a decent amount of quality gear for the first two years, and while I continue to evaluate alternative options for gear, I’m turning my attention to room acoustics now. (Note: My takeaway from two years of virtually nonstop gear purchases is that solid, better quality speakers cover a multitude of equipment “sins.”) I’m also exploring access to better sources for my serious listening sessions, I plan to learn how to use the inexpensive microphone and free software to get a handle on how my room is ‘performing.’ In the process, I’m hoping, that while my hearing will not improve, I can become a better listener. :-)

From the latest issue of PS Audio’s Copper Magazine, Paul McGowan on soundstaging:

https://www.psaudio.com/blogs/copper/octave-records-expands-em-the-art-of-hi-fi-series-em-with-em-volume-02-soundstage-em

Multi channel is a commitment, in labor and gear.  I haven’t gone the Atmos route, as my room dimensions simply don’t make sense for height speakers.  Yet when done correctly some of my 5.1 recordings add so much presence.  For example the Pentatone Brahms Symphony Cycle with Janowski and Pittsburgh the rears add proper ambiance and room reflections and this helps with the perception of front to back spacing.  Not all Multichannel recordings are done this sensitively, and merely hitting a button an AVR that converts two channel to multichannel isn’t the same thing

@bdp24 Thanks for the link. I enjoyed the interview and I agree with Paul about the importance of decent speakers, I wasn’t really hearing a Sound Stage until I acquired the B&W 801s, and I can understand Harry Pearson’s obsession with it; once you hear it, you’ve got to have it. Although I have Paul’s ‘Audiophile’s Guide’ CD and book, and I heard he had done one on ‘Speakers’ I wasn’t aware of the ‘Art of HiFi’ series. Since I now own a decent SACD player, I may secure copies of his ‘Bass’ and ‘Sound Stage’ recordings. Again, thanks for the link.

@mahler123 I wish I could hear your system. I’m sure multichannel recordings must sound wonderful, and I acknowledge that DSP alone can’t render it. The fact that I can’t really move the XRTs around upstairs means that I may be forced to implement some sort of ‘surround’ system. I don’t need height for the front (tweeters go from floor to ceiling), but I’m thinking that rear surrounds over the staircase, behind the listening position would be worth the effort, particularly if it could be implemented with Bluetooth speakers. But even then, simply mounting the speakers over the stairs becomes an issue. I’ve already invested so much time and energy insulating the attic space and installing flooring in its cramped quarters, that the thought of spending any more time up there makes me cringe. But as you say, it might be worth it —next year. First, I feel the need to understand what is going on in my room, optimize the lower frequencies, and properly place my speakers. For me, that is ‘next level,’ multichannel surround sound is a level beyond ‘next’ for me. Given your testimony, I will give it my best consideration going forward, especially for the upstairs space and gear. Thank you for your contribution.