A soundstage you can walk around in?

[Jim-W]

Hi. I joined the forum, after lurking for many years, to try and get some insight into how to create a deep soundstage. I've read about 4 foot depths in the stereo spectrum and wondered if it can be a reality given the constraints and compromises most of us have to make ie available space, finance and the rooms we live in. I can imagine a deep soundstage in a very large room with the speakers well away from any walls but is it possible in a typical 3 bedroom semi? Is the elephant in the room, er, the room? I've fiddled with speaker placements 'til I cant fiddle no more. Maybe somebody knows the secret. My equipment is a mix of old and new stuff: Linn, Rega, Quad, Rotel, Nad, Roksan, Mission floorstanders, Monitor Audio floorstanders. It all sounds fine but I want that depth!

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[MakkaPakka]

You've answered your own question, it's the room.

I get depth, separation, a soundstage that seems wider than the speakers and clean crisp bass that I can feel in my chest. All recording dependant of course - only a few recordings seem to have much depth but I do get some sometimes. All this in a very small room dining room and with very cheap equipment (expect the speakers which were about $1k new ten years ago).

I got this from acoustic treatment and lots of it. I've got nothing between my speakers and big fugly bass traps all around them, acoustic panels on the back wall, diffusers on the ceiling above the speakers.

I've done my best to make it look domestically acceptable and I think it's 'just' ok being as it's a secondary room but the WAF is zero in all honesty. I had to put my foot down and insist that I'd do what I want in the room and let her have the rest of the house.

 

[BenLaw]

Any chance of some pics Mr Pakka?

 

[Jim-W]

Thanks, Makka. That sounds like one well-treated room. I can get decent separation, wide imaging and tight bass etc but it's the depth thing that taxes me.Interesting to read that you don't think all records come with a lot of depth; I'd agree with that but some guy was telling me he can find it in most records. To be honest, I don't believe it. I'll look into all that room treatment stuff. Thanks for your help. Appreciate it.