A system for enhancing a perception of a center image in stereo audio, the system comprising: a processor configured to receive left and right audio input signals and limit the audio difference to sum ratio; a first crossover network configured to receive the left and right audio input signals from the processor and separate each of the left and right audio input signals into high and low frequency bands, and configurable to set the frequency and filter order of the first crossover network; first and second compressors (106, 108) configured to produce left and right output signals responsive to input signals in each of the high and low frequency bands created by the first crossover network, and with configurable target level, above threshold compression ratio, below threshold compression ratio, and maximum gain; a two channel surround processor configured to receive the left and right output signals from the first and second compressors (106, 108) and configurable to set the amount of perceived sound field spread in multiple dimensions; a first summing unit between the first and second compressors (106, 108) and the two channel surround processor; an equalizer configured to receive the left and right audio input signals from the first summing unit, shape the spectral characteristics as desired, and provide bass boost; a second crossover network configured to receive the left and right audio input signals from the equalizer and separate each of the left and right audio input signals into high and low frequency bands; a third compressor configured to produce left and right output signals responsive to input signals in the low frequency band created by the second crossover network and configurable to limit low frequency signals below 250 Hz and configurable to improve a bass response by limiting or boosting the level of the low frequency signals relative to a target level setting; a high-pass filter, HPF, configured to receive the left and right output signals from the third compressor; a second summing unit configured to sum input signals in the high frequency band created by the second crossover network and signals from the HPF; a soft clipper configured to receive signals from the second summing unit and to limit the perceived distortion of left and right signals that briefly exceed a full scale output; and a volume control configured to receive signals from the soft clipper and configurable to feedback to the first, second, and third compressors (106, 108, 116). a processor configured to receive left and right audio input signals and limit the audio difference to sum ratio; a first crossover network configured to receive the left and right audio input signals from the processor and separate each of the left and right audio input signals into high and low frequency bands, and configurable to set the frequency and filter order of the first crossover network; first and second compressors (106, 108) configured to produce left and right output signals responsive to input signals in each of the high and low frequency bands created by the first crossover network, and with configurable target level, above threshold compression ratio, below threshold compression ratio, and maximum gain; a two channel surround processor configured to receive the left and right output signals from the first and second compressors (106, 108) and configurable to set the amount of perceived sound field spread in multiple dimensions; a first summing unit between the first and second compressors (106, 108) and the two channel surround processor; an equalizer configured to receive the left and right audio input signals from the first summing unit, shape the spectral characteristics as desired, and provide bass boost; a second crossover network configured to receive the left and right audio input signals from the equalizer and separate each of the left and right audio input signals into high and low frequency bands; a third compressor configured to produce left and right output signals responsive to input signals in the low frequency band created by the second crossover network and configurable to limit low frequency signals below 250 Hz and configurable to improve a bass response by limiting or boosting the level of the low frequency signals relative to a target level setting; a high-pass filter, HPF, configured to receive the left and right output signals from the third compressor; a second summing unit configured to sum input signals in the high frequency band created by the second crossover network and signals from the HPF; a soft clipper configured to receive signals from the second summing unit and to limit the perceived distortion of left and right signals that briefly exceed a full scale output; and a volume control configured to receive signals from the soft clipper and configurable to feedback to the first, second, and third compressors (106, 108, 116).