How exactly do you get a soundstage without imaging? Separating the two is like separating going fast and having speed. THEY'RE THE SAME THING.
Personally, I don't look twice at a system that presents a flat wall of sound, or, in other words, has no ability to image. It tells me something about the resolving power of the system. If a system cannot resolve spacial information, then it's failing to be hi-fi in a major way. Getting a grip on room issues is very important, too, and I question how serious somebody is about listening if their room isn't sorted out to some degree. Serious listeners don't have 65" TV's between their speakers.
Personally, I don't look twice at a system that presents a flat wall of sound, or, in other words, has no ability to image. It tells me something about the resolving power of the system. If a system cannot resolve spacial information, then it's failing to be hi-fi in a major way. Getting a grip on room issues is very important, too, and I question how serious somebody is about listening if their room isn't sorted out to some degree. Serious listeners don't have 65" TV's between their speakers.