Only sound quality and spatial effects can be physically controlled in recordings

Evidence

From the preceding discussion it is clear that recording engineers cannot anticipate what customers are likely to hear. There are too many variables. So, how does one estimate what will translate? There are, it seems, three fundamental components: sound quality, directional/spatial effects and the artistic content. Only the first two can be physically controlled, and evidence is that they are comparably important to our overall satisfaction. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 1421