My current set-up, which I've posted about, amazes me with its imaging: front to back, side to side, placement of instruments and voices, accurate size of vocal images as well as orchestral sections create a believable breadth and depth of image.

I have my Theatre 4 Pro-type cabinets about 60" from the front wall and 40" from the sides. The cabinets are 21" wide, 13" deep and the dustcap of the 2226 is 17" off the floor. Apart from excellent electronics and cabling I wonder if the width and depth of the cabinet aren't making their contribution. Switching from one ampliflier to another there are clear differences between the portrayal of image but there is a constant, too.

Another large factor has to be the current seating arrangement I've recently done. Despite strong efforts to sound condition the room with panels and traps, a vast improvement resulted from removing all the furnishings from the central area and acquiring an 'executive-type' chair that reclines. There are no furnishings between the listening chair and the speakers. The chair itself, when occupied, has little surface to absorb or reflect.

The recliner does an interesting thing. Sitting normally, music sounds great. Reclining, which lowers my ears and moves them farther away from the speakers, causes the soundstage to attain better focus which results in an additional sense of reality.

Just a few thoughts on a quiet Sunday night that ends a wonderful vacation.