Want a better stereo image? Put something visual in the middle of the front wall between the speakers.
It can be a painting. A piece of art. A diffuser. Even a tall sculpture or object on a stand. What matters is that it’s visually distinct and centered.
Your eyes and ears work together more than you think. When you’re listening intently—especially with your eyes open—your brain is trying to assemble a spatial picture from both visual and auditory cues. If the wall behind your speakers is just a blank, uniform space, there’s nothing to anchor the center. The imaging can feel vague, even if the sound is technically correct.
But the moment there’s something centered—a canvas, a panel, even a tapestry—the image has a reference. You’ve given your brain something to “see” that matches what you’re hearing. The result? That phantom center voice or solo instrument has something to hang onto. It stops wandering. The image stabilizes.
It’s not just psychological either. The shape or texture of that center object can scatter a bit of midrange energy, which can subtly help with reflections and depth. In the Listening Lab, we have a tall wooden diffusers dead-center.
So if your center image doesn’t feel as tight or grounded as it should, before you move your speakers or swap gear, just try putting something beautiful—or at least noticeable—right in the middle.
You’ll be surprised how much it helps.
