Understanding soundstage in an audio system

A high-end stereo system is capable of projecting an amazing three-dimensional soundstage. How does it do that with only two speakers?

[dkennell]

Wow, what a fantastic explanation! After hearing your description of a real soundstage, I'm guessing that many people use it as a buzzword in situations where it's not really even present. Very helpful for cutting through the fluff, thank you!

[IKnewMickey]

The background singers on Hey Joe by Jimi absolutely blew my mind. Probably the most haunting background singers in rock history. When set up properly they come from places unknown.

[MovieFan]

Thank you so much Paul and psaudio for the FR30, i was the first buyer here in germany and i have now 525hrs breakin time on them, almost done with the 600 hrs recommendation. Loved every minute of it, music and movies on a level i never thought i would listen in my homecinema/livingroom

[seanlefebvre]

I wish everyone could hear music in a properly set up system. Width and more importantly depth of the soundstage is a truly “goose bump” experience that just want you to listen more. It took many years but I’m lucky enough to be one the few that I can truly appreciate this video. One of your best yet Paul. Thank you!

[bikdav]

I’ve experienced soundstaging with mainstream av receivers - not just high end audio. It came down to proper speaker placement and decent recordings.

[odizcvw]

Great Q&A.
I had forgotten that I spent most of my life not knowing what a sound stage is.
20 years ago, when we moved into this house, our decorator suggested a spot that could be set up as a library and or listening area. My wife agreed that I should get a decent little stereo, so I purchased a bookshelf system of Denon electronics with Totem speakers. Reading about Totem they expounded on their ability to set a sound stage. But I did not hear it. I made some DIY speaker cables, and DIY interconnects, and bingo. I heard my first sound stage. Just barely.
Then DIY took fire and along the way building DACs and amps for a now dedicated listening room, the commercial speakers from Boston Acoustics I had owned since the 80's disappeared and a wall of sound appeared just as Paul describes it. WOW.
I have concluded everything matters. But it is all about transparency and phase. So, given your speakers are out from the walls, it starts with the recording and then the source is the key thing. In digital, that means a low jitter clock and a great power supply. After that, everything can subtract. Electronics and cables must be able to pass a signal without altering phase or smearing it.

[privatepropertynotrespassi]

You are by far the coolest owner of any home audio company, actually any company period great work from Buffalo NY!!!!

[budgetaudiophilelife-long]

THANKS FOR SHARING THIS, I HAVE LOVED ❤️ PHANTOM SOUNDSTAGE …since I discovered it many years ago 🤗
Setup, and now GREAT RECORDINGS 🤗 I bought both and now I can see the difference between them 👍😎💚💚💚

[tagtag-connected]

The phantom center is truly an experience. I have B&W so nowhere near the same level as FR30 so can't even begin to image the soundstage of the FR30. I know Paul does not like B&W sound but i love them

[TheTrueVoiceOfReason]

Paul, you are absolutely right in that you don't need to spend massive amounts to get impressive soundstage. I have a system made up of many different pieces, a majority of which are Realistic / Optimus branded pieces (yes, the dreaded Radio Shack), most of which were bought on SPIF - the very last price reduction before throw in the bin or return to warehouse. These are mid 80's to mid 90's pieces. Most pieces were under $40 back then, but the most expensive piece was the receiver at $120 (Sansui). The main speakers are Optimus 30's, rebuilt with burnout proof ceramic voice coil former woofers. Everything has to fit in a late Victorian style twin, so against the wall is the only option. The big star of the show is the EQ. With the EQ switched out everything is 2 dimensional. Switched in, there is now a concert hall in front of me, and all the musicians are precisely located in 3d on that soundstage. That goes for the CD's, records, even tapes.

So, just work with what you have in the way you can. What ever works best for you is what is right, regardless of others opinions. Please all go forward and enjoy your systems, but most importantly, the music that takes you away.

[markhunstone]

Couldn't stop laughing when you mentioned people's reaction to the diffusers, they always think they are extra speakers when they come in my room! 😆😆 👍👍

[glenncurry]

When introducing non-audiophile friends to my system, I often use "Red Headed Stranger" by Willy Nelson. Even if they are not big Country fans (I'm not) but the pressing is incredible and simple. I tell them to close their eyes, this lets their brain take the audible clues to invent the image that SHOULD be there. Then I tell them to point to Willy! You can just see the expression in their face as they realize their brain is convinced he is standing there and they can point to him! Maggies are like that!

Then I teach them about "Face Time". Can you actually see his face? Is there enough sonic cues from the face? It's not just a hole with sound coming out in that spot.

[gjgunther]

I love my PSAudio equipment and I have always enjoyed your videos and, I noticed that you are wearing HOKA shoes -- they are the best.

[CEGRD]

Watched this and decided to experiment. I have my 20 yr old Monitor Audio Gold 20 mains in a surround system. Went into processor settings and turned off the center channel and rear surround speakers, leaving only mains and sub. Then I listened to music videos in stereo mode in Youtube. Not only was the center sound stage better without the center speaker, but the mains sounded better listening to Youtube videos in stereo than I can remember hearing them sound. I've just always left my system in DD surround.

[truman]

The PS Audio book is outstanding. It is easy to follow and results in great stereo setup.

[johnnytoobad]

Jeez..the Juke Box in Dad's bar (in the 60's and 70's) had a GREAT soundstage. And so does my "cheap" living room system.

[joelowens]

I think what you find in higher end systems is they give you FLEXIBILITY with a variable of choices and settings. What is a perfect soundstage to one might be crap to others. What do I mean? Some audio gear like to make it where the soundstage is huge but the singer is pushed way back like you are in a concert way far away from the stage. The music becomes hard to be engaged with as so distant. Other gear has more forward sounding stages where you feel like in a dive bar a few rows back and the singer is right there singing to you and the instruments wash over you and you get lost in the music. It's all about what you like and get out of the music. If you love the feeling of being far back in a concert setting then some gear is tuned to that. I have also seen where the instruments were too forward and overpowering the singer where the instruments seemed to be next the singer or in front. Think of soundstage like a tv screen. If you have small gear in a medium size room then the stage could be good but condensed way down or only go up to half the size of the room. When you start getting into larger speakers and higher end gear the walls seem like they almost do not exist and you have a massive stage like being outside with sound and little to no constraints. You have to find what you like and then try to get as much as possible of that within your current budget and build up from there over time or stay with what you have if it's (good enough) to you. The audiophile's journey is different for everyone.

[neilsteadman]

My soundstage has appeared thanks to your advice. It's very noticeable on Elton Johns Captain Fantastic album.(vinyl)

[jayatissadon]

Hi. Dear Mr. Paul, I really like your videos and learn very important facts about audio systems. Since I am from Sri Lanka and unable to make your factory tour; I would like to cordially invite you to come and start one of your factory branch in Sri Lanka so that I may be able to learn more and more while enjoying your precious sound technology. Thank you and be healthy.

[waribaa]

Paul. You are a great presenter . And surely PS Audio strategic marketer. But if my ears have ever heard '' sound stage'' Then, My DEnon PMA1315R, Hegel HD11 and a pair of Dali 18 MKII speakers are making me feel exotic