Hi Paul, This was my question. Eyes closed don't make a difference. You are correct, moving the speakers further into the room was not really an option and also moving the listening position back would cause a lolly pole holding up the house to be in front of the listening position. So, I followed your advice and placed a pair of abfusers on the front wall behind the left and right speakers and the depth of the soundstage has improved tremendously. Thank you for the suggestion.

Paul will be searching for his glasses for at least an hour after filming.

Also, I would try angling the speakers, so they’re facing forward or straight out into the room. Sometimes a certain degree of adjustment with the speakers angle can help create more depth to soundstage.

Open eyes seem to make a three-dimensional sound stage even more realistic than when my eyes are closed. Most of the time.

You make a very significant point that is too often overlooked- the relationship between SIGHT & SOUND. Listening in the dark HEIGHTENS our auditory senses, stripping away the visual "noise" and focussing our concentration on the sound.

In order to have soundstage depth, it requires actual depth from the front wall. The secret is out!🤘 Cheers Paul.

I use the in between Lighting method, I dim the lights so it is like a misty Fog rolled in. Doing this for 35 years.

Your ears are telling you the sound is behind the wall but your eyes just see a wall and it ruins the illusion.

I made 3 acoustic panels from rockwool slabs and placed them on the rear wall behind me. I also made an attractive diffuser from wooden blocks glued to a board. I also made a couple of nice, smaller acoustic panels with complimentary fabrics.

Better quality crossover parts, will give you a far better sound stage, if setup a loan doesn't do it, quality air core inductors, capacitors and resistors, from company's like Mundorf, Jantzen etc, really works well, goodluck & another fabulous video paul😁

I've really enjoyed your book (The Audiophile's Guide) , Paul. It's been a real plus on my journey to both understanding sound and getting the best from my gear. Your channel has really got me thinking about both vintage and contemporary gear and getting the sound experience I'm looking for.

Depth of image is caused by the reflected sound from the back of the speakers - i.e. 901s, dipoles, bipoles, open baffle.

Yes a Focal owner! I have the Audiophile's Guide too! I had the same problem with my Sopra No 3's. Mine came more to life when I pulled them 5 ft away from the front wall, aprox 4 feet from the side walls, and I toed them 10 degrees for some added soundstage width. My ceilings are 12ft tall.

For me eyes closed doesnt really enhance the experience, but what does is to completely black out the room, not a single LED visible just darkness, and sit with my eyes open in that darkness. That is really immersive for me.

The force of illusions should never be underestimated.

I am still absolutely baffled that I was able to produce a nice soundstage in the very small room I have my system in. Thanks to Paul and his guidance.

Great advice, if you have the room.

I don't know about you guys, but my system has such a good soundstage that I hear the music in the other room from Paul's

I have Focal Sopra 3's set about 4 feet from the front wall (maybe a little less) and about 18 inches from the side walls.

record spinners put there, if you cant move your speakers any closer to the wall anymore, a lighter tracking force on your cartridge will also help to get more room and depth.