Simple Explanation

The ability of speakers to make you feel like you can “see” where each sound is coming from in front of you.

Concise Technical Definition

The capacity of a stereo or surround-sound system to create the perceived spatial placement of individual sound sources within the listening environment.

Layman-Friendly Analogy

Like a sonic photograph—good imaging lets you point to where each voice or instrument would be on a virtual stage.

Industry Usage Summary

Used to describe how precisely a system can place sounds (e.g., vocals, instruments) in a stereo or surround field; affected by speaker design, placement, room acoustics, and recording quality.

Engineering Shortcut

Perceived sound localization from stereo/surround signals.

Full Technical Explanation

Imaging refers to the perceived spatial positioning and separation of sound sources within an audio playback system, most often in stereo or surround configurations. A system with good imaging allows the listener to localize instruments, voices, and effects in a three-dimensional sound field—typically left-to-right and, in some cases, front-to-back or height. It depends on several factors: speaker placement, driver alignment, phase coherence, acoustic treatment, and the quality of the recording itself. Imaging is closely related to the concept of soundstage, but focuses more on the precise placement of individual elements within that space.