The Disappearing Act

The Disappearing Act

Your audio question reminds me of another artform.

In filmmaking, the goal is ’suspension of disbelief’. To be so engrossed in the storytelling that the audience disregards that they’re sitting in a movie theater. The elements include the script, acting, cinematography, production design, et al. The willingness (mood) of the viewer to be mesmerized also plays an important part. Having a darkened environment helps to block out distractions.*

If something breaks the spell - such as bad acting or lack of continuity - then the special experience is lost - and very difficult to regain.

IMHO, music playback also has a variety of elements that must work together synergistically to draw the listener in. The artistry in the recording, the engineering of the recording, the audio system, the room - and of course, the listener’s mindset. My appreciation of disappearing speakers increased substantially when distortion was finally exorcised from streaming.

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*Trying to recreate the move palace experience in a home theater is a major conundrum. The bigger the budget, the better the execution - usually. 🧐

It’s pretty much across all tracks. You don't hear it from the speakers, per se.  The music just "emanates" in the room.

@baylinor

That’s an insightful perspective, and you’re absolutely right—recording styles and mixing decisions play a huge role in how the soundstage is perceived. A great system doesn’t impose its own interpretation but instead reveals the recording engineer’s intent with precision. Just like mine, your system seems to strike that balance perfectly.

@steakster

That’s a beautifully articulated comparison. Just as a well-crafted film can transport the viewer into its world, a well-tuned audio system can immerse the listener in the music, making the equipment and even the room fade away. It’s fascinating how much the listener’s mindset and environment contribute to both experiences.

@toddalin

“The music just "emanates" in the room.” …..Exactly!

     I call it: taking me from here and now, back to there and then.

                                Everything above= +1

                                  So many variables!

OP asks if the disappearing happens uniformly -- with all recordings.

For me, definitely not. Only with a few LPs and a with a few CDs. In my experience, most recordings and subsequent transfers to media suck; probably because of weak technology, or possibly because the responsible engineers "had other ideas" about how things should sound.

But don't get me wrong -- I still enjoy this hobby, and I still love music. Most often, the disappearing I experience comes in a brief moment as a shocking surprise, and it transfixes me. In those moments I connect with the music, and -- forgive the metaphor -- I become one with the music.