I'm with MrD.
Over 60, starting with the Audio Visual Squad in grade school to building my own speakers, components or systems I found I have an "ear" for audio.
1) Referring back to your original question: horns, although very accurate, are directional with a narrow dispersion pattern and being mounted to a flat front board even the best (JBL 100 Studio Monitors) will ring with secondary audio diffractions.
2) The Vandersteens are Stealth aircraft in comparison. Separate speakers and enclosures mounted in mid air behind the grill and no flat surfaces.
Properly positioned they will produce your requirement of disappearing.
Having owned my first high end speakers for 30 years I feel your audio OCD and hesitation. They never sound the same at home as in the showroom, so to begin means making that first choice.
Have fun and be prepared to play with optimal positioning.
Over 60, starting with the Audio Visual Squad in grade school to building my own speakers, components or systems I found I have an "ear" for audio.
1) Referring back to your original question: horns, although very accurate, are directional with a narrow dispersion pattern and being mounted to a flat front board even the best (JBL 100 Studio Monitors) will ring with secondary audio diffractions.
2) The Vandersteens are Stealth aircraft in comparison. Separate speakers and enclosures mounted in mid air behind the grill and no flat surfaces.
Properly positioned they will produce your requirement of disappearing.
Having owned my first high end speakers for 30 years I feel your audio OCD and hesitation. They never sound the same at home as in the showroom, so to begin means making that first choice.
Have fun and be prepared to play with optimal positioning.