State of Audiophile world in our Era, and how things changed

My observation is that since the image is good over a large area, the sound level from each speaker reaching the ears is more important than the distance. It would seem then to depend upon the recording and mix, ie the methods used for individual sound object placements, level and/or time/phase, how well it would work.
 
Let's say I had the "Stray Cats" playing in my living room - guitar / amp, a standup bass player and a guy playing a snare. Am I going to tell the bass guy "Hey, could you move a little over this way - so you're not so loud when I happen to be standing over here"?

No; they're going to sound like they sound in actually being in the room - room warts and all.
But aren't you comparing two point sources (musicians) with an illusion created by two speakers sharing both signals in unequal measure? So the musicians stay where they are, but a stereo image moves with the dominance of the closer speaker, as you move around?

My observation is that since the image is good over a large area, the sound level from each speaker reaching the ears is more important than the distance.
As above, the sound level varies with distance from the speaker, in the usual stereo set-up.
 
Regards timing, it's when you are equidistant to the speakers. I also find varying the distance, whilst remaining equidistant, changes the imaging perception but that's probably more due to off axis response and reflections although I listen nearfield anyway so the direct sound takes presidence. There is a point where things seem to "click" into place, a combination of factors where the sound is balanced.