Are there speakers that disappear regardless of the recording?

Recently switched from Martin Logan electrostatics 15a’s to vintage Von Schweikert’s VR10’s. The difference in imaging is truly remarkable. No more having to sit in that 2 foot sweet spot! You can be almost anywhere in the room, and still have a great sound stage, it’s unbelievable. Apparently due to the crossover, and rear facing drivers? Placement also doesn’t seem nearly as critical as the ML’s.

I also incidentally have never heard a speaker wherein I can understand the lyrics so well as the VR’s.

OTH, they are quite large, and not so aesthetic as the later models, as one of his earlier efforts. But that’s in the eye of the beholder. And, I didn’t buy them to stare at. 😁 I also just ordered a second Luxman M900u amplifier, as they seem to be really power hungry. But that’s another thread?

My Spatial X5s throw a wide and deep soundscape that does not localize to the speakers.  Every recording ?  Not sure but on most recordings that is what I hear.

It varies. As for those whose speakers throw a wide, deep soundstage, I’ve heard such speakers. They are wonderful but they also lack some of the precision in other speakers. From my experience, which is limited compared to many, a narrower sweet spot is compensated by more precise imaging in the soundstage. Some don’t prefer that. I kinda like it.

Oh, and that comment about needing a good (or well treated) room to do this? Absolutely. 1000% key.

What a great question!

In my experience some speakers 'disappeared' a little more than others.

My Tannoy Berkeley's don't disappear at all.

OK, they're better with some recordings than others, but I'm guessing a large wooden box made in the 1970s is never going to vanish completely.

I'm guessing it's something to do with both construction and presentation. Harbeth, for one, claim that the panel resonances in their speakers lie beneath the threshold of hearing.

And they have data to back themselves up.

However, unless a speaker is omnidirectional, I'm again guessing that you will always know the sound is coming from a pair of transducers.

@zgas-music ,

Closing my eyes is a must for me if I want to even get close.

Totally agree with @zgas-music 

But there is a lot to be said for getting the speaker-room interaction as correct as possible.