Shocking 3D sound in 2 channel

"Can all speakers do this if set up right? Are there some that do this without fail? Was I just imagining it?"

Not all speakers can do that. Some are better than others. However, all the other components in a system contribute to the quality of imaging. You have to get everything right, not just the speakers.

I agree, to get this kind of presentation you need to have everything in the process working towards this goal.

That means a good source recording, amplification, speakers, speaker placement, and appropriate speaker-room interaction.

It's not just the speakers, although I think some speakers can do it with a higher probability and be more forgiving about the electronics to achieve it.

The system I listened to that best exemplified the 3-D, perfectly holographic sound consisted of a Music Hall CD-25, Jolida 302b, and Totem Arro's. The system was placed near a corner, and everything I played on it at the stereo shop sounded incredibly lifelike and, for lack of a better term, holographic. I think Joe (the person who was with me at the time) described it as "very forward".

Interestingly, I had nearly this exact system several years later, and although it sounded great, it never quite matched the 3D magic of that system at the stereo shop. Maybe we were using different tubes, or perhaps my not having it in the corner of the room, or something about the geometry of the room. I'll never know, but that's the closest to a 3D guarantee that I've come across (and it's quite a modest system, especially by Audiogon standards).

If the illusion of imaging is important to you, perhaps you should look more into tubes or digital surround/processing modes, as these can sometimes help with that effect.

Michael

Some recordings do not contain what you describe so he recording is an important factor.

I once had a friend come over when I had my Dyn C1 Signatures and he stood in front of them asking me where the center channel speaker was. I had them set up about 6 - 7ft apart with only about a 5 degree toe-in. AND there was/is a 32" tube TV in between them. Now that I have the Raidho D1's I'm trying to get him back over to really hear some separation LOL. The D1's are about 8ft apart with about a 40 degree toe-in. For me I know I will get a more 3D sound when I get rid of that tube TV.

It is not the speakers, its the room.

Well the speakers and room working together. The greatest speakers that overwhelm the room will not produce 3D imaging, whereas mediocre speakers set up correctly within a room can produce a 3D image, mind you the tone may be completely off.