I see a people talking about imaging and sound stage but is there a way to these capabilities of an audio setup without actually testing them? Maybe something similar to a frequency response graph?
I am bot that knowledgeable about audio but isnt imaging/sound stage a function of audio resolution? As in the lowest frequency difference required to produce 2 signals without overlap? Can a measurement of peak width for outputs at single frequencies be an indication of resolving power?
Unfortunately it’s not anywhere as simple. Phase inter-relationships between drivers, accuracy of high frequency extension all contribute to resolution. And that’s the easy part. Enginerds have been desperately try to equate sound quality and resolution to a small set of variables, but so far the only measurement I’ve seen that gives the best hint, in addition to the ubiquitous frequency response graphs, are waterfall plots which indicate driver ringing which causes out of phase signals that interfere with a given driver’s clarity.
And then of course, room interactions can crapify any good loudspeaker’s performance.