Tend to agree with the Onhwy61. IMHO good soundstaging is two things - 1. A good proxy measure of a systems accuracy and resolving ability, and 2. An audio means of making up for the fact that at a live concert you literally see the players - precise imaging allows you to more easily imagine the same experience (have you ever noticed how drummers seem to have extraordinarily long arms - must scrape the ground when they walk - no offence drumsgreg).
Sound-stage, imaging, focus......
I would like to get some facts and opinions about sound-stage, imaging and focus as presented by a system. When I began my system purchasing process, I listened for a sound which came close to a live acoustical performance. For me, that meant instruments sounded real. I was not listening for sound-staging, imaging, etc., because, try as I might, I have not been able to comprehend sound-staging, exact placement of instruments (re: two chairs to the left of the pricipal trumpet), micro-dynamics, etc. at a live performance. That just doesn't happen for me from any position in an auditorium or club. I have never commented after a concert that "the focus and depth were spectacular". Are these descriptions applicable only to reproduced sound or am I missing something?