Fitzcaraldo215
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It depends on what you mean by "image", a word that is not precisely self-defining. I can only guess at exactly what you mean.I mostly find that large acoustic orchestras in concert halls don't "image" at all. You get a basic sense of direction, that's all. The only time acoustic ensembeles properly "image" is when the ensemble is very small and one sits close to the players. Audiophile imaging is artificial, but it's a useful artifact because it compensates for the lack of visual cues that are there in a live situation.
There are numerous attributes and characteristics of the spatial qualities we hear, and we can only describe, assess and report them subjectively. I am not about to attempt to list them all here in a science forum, because it might seem too uncontrollably and crazy subjective. They are assembled closer to the brain end of our binaural ears plus brain hearing system, and, hence, they fall into the category of psychoacoustics.
I feel I hear much more at an orchestral concert than a basic sense of direction, as in L R and in between. Among many other descriptive attributes, there is the quality of envelopment of the listener in the sound, which is enabled by the reflective hall acoustic. Toole also cites that, and it is one reason he likes Mch reproduction at home for classical music. I like that myself, and I prefer to sit at some distance in the hall - typically about 2/3 back - in order to get a mix of direct stage and hall sound I prefer. It is similar for solo or chamber concerts for me. But, to each, his or her own.