Speakers "Disappearing"

I'd have to think the better ones ears are at localizing/pinpointing a sound source, the more difficult it becomes for the sound source to "disappear". The lessor the total number of speakers, the easier it is to detect any particular ones location. And of course the recording, the room/environment, the particular type/design of speakers and their placement certainly play a role. 

I can't speak for ALL speakers but for every pair I've had over the past 30+ years, which coincides with when i started paying attention to such matters, placement counts very much in contributing to the disappearing act. With my current speakers a 1/16 difference in the toe in makes a big difference. Totally agree with Milpai. Cabinet enertness  also counts so i agree with kosst as well. 

I think you may be confusing the speaker's disappearing with imaging. 

You want the speakers to disappear. That is, you don't want to be aware that you have 2 separate sound sources.  You DO want to hear the location of the recorded instruments in the sound field. The two are mutually exclusive. 

And it should be effortless, with no mental processing or strain, it should be an illusion that does not require you to suspend disbelief. 

Good room acoustics are half of this equation. The other half is the speakers. The more neutral the speakers, the more they "stop sounding like speakers" and sound like music. 

Best,


E