sound staging ?

anyone have any thoughts on this subject

In addition to what was said, I have a few more thoughts to share. First, there are two types of sound systems. 4 channel stereo which is really 2 channels. You can increase or decrease the percentage of sound to either front doors or to rear doors (Fader). As per sound channels, on a 4 channel amp, there are 4 separate "channels" but only 2 recordings for each side, Left and Right. Then there is surround sound whereby you can use only 2 channels/speakers and the signal processor makes an effect of "depth" by processing the sound accordingly. Then there is true surround, where your amp is a true surround sound amp with 4 separate channels or even 5 (1 extra for the sub). In order to hear true surround, your recording (most DVD movies have it) must have 4 (or more) separate channels recorded. Personally I do not like the fake surround sound where 2 channels make you feel like there are 4 or more sources, but thats just my preference. To have a good system, you should not be able to tell if the source of the sound is coming from one single area but you should feel/hear it as if you are in the midst of the action/sound sources.   In case someone asks you why we need 2 speakers for left and right but only 1 subwoofer, the reason is very low frequencies are non-directional meaning you cannot tell where the sound is coming from so it doesnt matter where you place the subwoofer, to the left or right. Higher/mid frequencies are directional, meaning you can tell where they're coming from, hence you got to have 2 sources at least, at left and right. Lastly, the listener's position in respect to the speakers is also important. The same system will sound different from different listening angles. Hope i helped. If anyone has more ideas, I would like to read them too.

I agree firmly with markcars in his first statement about your sound originating from the center of the windshield. and any rear being solely for the purpose of "fill in" or echo, I am running my highs and mids in "mixed mono" I have two Zapco 200's one on left side and one on the right, on two sets of components, the front sets are run bridged, therefore sending close to 500 watts to the doors, and the rear are run stereo giving them about 200 watts,  just as "fill in". My vehicle is used as a demo vehicle for a friend of mine's stereo shop. I have had several judges sit in my truck and ask if I had set this up for comp., but unfortunately I don't have the time to do it anymore, and therefore it wasn't set up this way for comp., but only for demo purposes and personal enjoyment, but to get back to the point, from my understanding and from talking to a few judges, I think markcars has the hammer on the nailhead.