Speaker imaging

I have heard most of the speakers on the market. I've recently changed some things in my own system. I have Proac SuperTowers that I'm selling and I can PROMISE you that it's not in your head. My speakers disappear as good as most out there. It's about set up and your room too. Some speakers do some things right, but never disappear. I changed to a DAC and Niagara balanced cables into my Ayre integrated and the sound is MUCH wider and deeper than it's ever been and I have run NAD integrated (also selling off) and Quicksilver Silver Mono's what stage and image as good as most tubes out there (again selling, lol) and I didn't expect my new system to be as 'large' as the tube stuff, but I was wrong. That's not in my head (actually it really is in our heads).

Go listen at a brick and mortar store and you'll hear the differences.

By that same logic, it's a recording, so none of it is real.

The only thing that really matters is what you hear. Imaging is a big part of enabling a stereo setup to deliver the best sound possible.

Its like going to the movies these days. 3-D done well can add a lot to the enjoyment of certain movies in particular. Or some might not bite and prefer standard 2-d. Neither is real, but both are differing imperfect renderings of reality, to different extents.

...and your mind IMAGINes all manner of things about how great you can hear. :(

"...and your mind IMAGINes all manner of things about how great you can hear."

That's probably the key ingredient for good sound!

If your mind is happy.... :^)

There are reasons why things sound different without lights or glasses, etc., and they're real. Your conscious brain reacts to things automatically all the time and if you remove a stimulous like lighting or ambient noise you will hear differently...to a degree...I've found for years that late night listening has value because personal focus changes. There is a meditative state I can get to with my eyes closed that makes music fairly intense, as long as I don't open my eyes to find I've wound up handcuffed to a sink in a Cuban hotel room surrounded by aggressive spider monkeys...I hate that...