The Disappearing Act


Nope, I am not talking about some magic trick!  

I often read here and other forums, when someone describing sound of their system….the music flows and speakers simply disappears. Also read similar acclamation for an amp, preamp or DAC. 

Would you agree when someone experience this phenomenon, you’re left with nothing but the music in its purest form. I would say, it’s a testament to the synergy of your components, room acoustics and meticulous setup. 

I would like to know, were you listening to something particularly special when ‘disappearing act’ happens, or is it a consistent experience across the tracks?

128x128lalitk

As others have mentioned, some of the early stereo recordings from the 60's are particularly egregious. I listened to some Mommas and Pappas that were cringe worthy. Especially on headphones. Many songs start with sound from only one channel. Weird feeling of sound in one ear and a vacuum sucking on the other (with phones). No disappearing components from that.

The disappearing act is one very prominent characteristic of “the suspension of disbelief”, but others are required to get there. I’ve heard lots of systems that image so well/holographically such that the speakers absolutely disappear, but the system lacks the appropriate tonal balance, effortlessness, harmonics, etc that it still doesn’t sound “real”. 

Agreed with those said…disappearing act largely depends on original recording. While a well-set-up system and room are essential, the way a recording is engineered determines how effectively the soundstage is created and whether the speakers “disappear” into it. 

IME, the disappearing act reflects the synergy between the recording’s spatial information and the playback system’s ability to reproduce it faithfully. Even the best system can’t make poorly engineered recordings disappear, but with a great recording, the illusion can be simply magical.

@blisshifi 

You’re right—while the “disappearing act” is essential for creating that sense of realism, it’s only one piece of the puzzle. A system can image beautifully and place instruments with pinpoint accuracy, but without proper tonal balance, harmonic richness, and dynamic effortlessness, it can still fail to convince the listener of its authenticity 😊

I get this most of the time and it puts a smile on my face every time.  Instruments that float in space or sound like they are right next to my chair.  Definitely dependent on the recording and the volume at which I am listening. Although I experience it at lower volumes as well.  I don’t know how much mood and other psychological aspects effects it or if it’s more of a matter of paying attention to the music and not being distracted by other things.

IMO and experience that sound quality is from the components and nothing to do with system synergy or anything else.  Either your gear can produce that or they cannot.

 

Happy Listening.