Just a quick question:
What is does "Imaging" refer to? Is it similar to staging or something else. Could someone please explain.

*Why can't I be in VIC, I want to go to the SQ workshop!!!*

Imaging refers to where the instrumentsand voices "seem" to come from across the soundstage.

Basically the main vocal should some from the middle of the soundstage, and everything else surround it.

Now you wait for a real SQ judge or enthusiast to answer this properly

That kind of sounds like staging though? I am confused. They sound like the same thing, but are referred to differently. Anyone else??

imaging: do sonic images (vocalists, instruments, sound effects) originate from their correct horizontal location? (eg, the lead singer should be in the middle of the dash, the drums far right of the dash, the triangle far left, etc).

staging: relates to the horizontal width and the vertical height of the soundscape containing the above-mentioned sonic images. so a good stage should extend to/beyond the edges of the dash, and should be layed out high enough to be within the listeres view (upper portion of dash).

so in summary:

IMAGING (where each person in a sonic 'painting' is located)

STAGING (the overal width and height of the canvas)

when you go to a concert you dont stand with your back to the band.
or do you?
but what your tring to do in your car is not just make it as loud and clean as possible but also give it realizm, by making a virtual "stage" on your dash, at about eye level, so if you can get your car to "image" well,then half your battle is won!
the rest is getting together the best componants to do the job right.
its all in the installation, not what product you buy. thats why often a $20 speaker installed correctly can sound better than a $200 speaker installed incorrectly! but get that $200 speaker in stalled the right way and look out!
the effect your after is realizm pure and simple...
i rest my case.

staging also refers to depth as well. its three dimensions and the reason why i think it is called staging. Just picture a live concert, singer up front, drums behind, keyboards to one side, lead strings in front of them, etc etc.

also the listeners position to the stage is considered, well maybe not these days.

front stage = stage in front of you, your in the audience.
centre stage = you are on the stage. probably trying to get an autograph!
rear stage = stage behind you. they probably suck, so your leaving this dump!

also t-bro, not all recordings have the lead singer(s) up front in the centre. some bands feature more than one lead singer and record there material with the singers spaced around the centre, or sometimes to the left or right of the stage. i have one track that features 2 instruments, guitar left centre, vocal right centre, and purcussion centre rear. excellent track for staging & imaging.....