The best "imaging" speakers?

For both imaging and "you are there," I haven't heard anything to beat Wilson Maxx 3's or Alexandrias powered by massive tube amps. In one case it was a VTL signal chain including Siefried Reference monoblocks and the other (I heard just the night before last) was powered by Audio Research. Cabling in both cases was Transparent Audio's best or near-best.

The level of resolution on these rigs is such that--even with multi-thousand-dollar digital sources, you can easily hear the improvement when upgrading to 24-bit/88.4 or 96Khz, and from there to an analog source.

Another one that sounded very good was an all-Ayre chain powering a pair of Magnepan 20.1s augmented by a pair of JL 2x12 powered subs. It wasn't quite as fast and dynamic as the Wilsons, but it was very linear, very musical, threw a great soundstage, and Ayre's own in-development turntable provided great-sounding source material. It definitely elevated the experience over both redbook and 24/88.2 digital.

Two+ years ago I heard a SME 30 turntable going through an all-VTL rig powering a pair of Alexandrias and the experience *still* haunts me.

Depends on the room! I aggree with Chadnliz Vandersteen are some of the best also Magnapans. Here is my theory, using Vandersteen as a example, there are others. Vandersteens have pots and crossovers to tune each speaker to the pre amp and room acustics. Once each speaker sound the same and matches the room the sound blends together and the speakers disappear also they use a design where the speakers are usally almost supended in the enclosures to avoid directional sound. Now there are some good processors out, that sounds like a big no no. I use to think that way till I got feedback from people that used them they adjust each speakers to the room and does what vandersteen does with the little pots on the back of the speakers electronically with a microphone. This could hurt something else in the sound path or coudl really help if the speaker/rooms needs a little help intergrating.

among the 30+ pairs of speakers I have owned, the best imaging speaker that threw out the most realistic holographic soundstage was a small speaker with tiny dimension, Acoustic Energy AE1 Signature. not a surprise given it's a simple two-way with small face, but it's so limited in dynamic it can't recreate the size of instrument realistically.

runner up was Sonus Faber Guarneri Memento, it does imaging almost as well and everything else a lot better.

There appears to be a paradox. Speakers that produce a more holographic image and soundstage are perceived to create a more "you are there" experience. Yet sitting in the audience at a live musical event is not associated with this phenomenon. To the contrary, at a live event, the soundstage is rarely deep, and the image is rarely holographic; and speakers that produce a soundstage similar to live music are often not equated with a "you are there" experience.

I appreciate every contribution-thank you all.
I'd like to clarify my situation.
I feel macro & micro(detail 'vital'for microdynamics) dynamics are 'the' most important factors in creating a sense of music from speakers-note the use of horns (macro dynamics) in public venues(I appreciate there are other tech reasons for horns)..
However I very much enjoy fairly quiet chamber & solo instrument pieces as well as concertos & all out symphonies and find (assuming dynamics are acceptable) clarity & "refinement" of the sound immensely enhance my listening enjoyment. Greater detail allows me to
1.more deeply appreciate the nuances and artistry in quieter pieces
2.enjoy the contribution of individual instruments and interplay between instruments within the larger orchestral
context.
IMHO the higher the resolution of a given system the more details are provided and the "soundstaging" and "presence" are a direct result of the finest detail.
I normally find dynamics acceptable(while realizing realistic dynamics are beyond current techology)--
therefore my quest for the best, may I now say "detail & imaging" speakers.