The Absolute Sound

The Absolute Sound

Answers | Q&A (Week of 9.15.25)

The Dimensions of "Soundstage"

The Absolute Sound's avatar
The Absolute Sound
Sep 19, 2025
∙ Paid
Share

Question:

You often talk about “soundstage height”. Why is this important?

—Anonymous

Answer:

First, two definitions to limit confusion. When we talk about “soundstage”, we mean the sense conveyed by the stereo of the width, depth, height, and performer positioning on the virtual stage presented by the stereo. The analogy is to the sense of width, depth, height, and performer positioning on the real stage of a concert hall or auditorium, or club. When the recording is not made live, most engineers still try to create the phase relationships that establish a virtual stage.

When we talk about “soundspace”, we mean the sense conveyed by the stereo of the size and shape of the performance venue. This is largely created by reflections from back wall, ceiling and side walls of the venue. In real concert halls, these reflections can have a reverb time of perhaps 2 seconds and perform a very different function than the direct sound of the instruments. Even in studio recordings, engineers use rever…

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to The Absolute Sound to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Nextscreen, LLC
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture