Shocking 3D sound in 2 channel

If I can't get a solid, centered image from a mono source or an intended center solo voice in a stereo mix, the speakers aren't set up correctly and/or there's a phase problem.

If I can't get the speakers to sonically disappear, I don't want them.

Johnny53....it just might be your room.

Dear JohnK,
Good points :)
The outlook for dipoles is not too bleak though. :)
I've found that dipoles "drive" my room more sympathetically than dynamic designs I've owned. The front wave has narrow dispersion and I beam much of this through a wide archway into an adjoining room. The rear wave is mostly absorbed (at most frequencies) by curtains positioned symmetrically behind the speakers.

There are 2 listening positions I use : nearfield - (8 feet away)which gives massive detail and a very intimate sound and farfield (18 feet away in a secondary "sweetspot") in which images tend to coalesce more coherently but are understandably not so "up close and personal", while remaining very detailed.
(Please note I use the term "nearfield" very loosely as true nearfield must be far closer than this :^)
Cheers!

"The other system that does this for me is at my grimy computer desk in my garage. The speakers are $40 Altec Lansing 2.1 computer speakers playing off my computer. The weak link in the chain is every link in the chain! There is nothing in the path that I would say is admirable. Also, the speakers are positioned almost at my sides (more like a 20 degree angle. I think this case is just me sitting conveniently in a good spot between the two channels, however marginal their quality."

Michael...now you're REALLY scaring us :D :D
In this situation it sounds like you might benefit from really good headphones and a Meridian "Prime" which is purported to "externalise" the soundstage in the manner of full blown loudspeakers response in-room :D
Best regards...

Happens all of the time when the moon,earth, and sun are all aligned with your temporal state of mind. In all seriousness, the elements of a 3D presentation are easily achieved once all of the factors mentioned above coalesce to form a soundscape which is perceived to be holographic. After I align the speakers, adjust the listening chair, and measure the room environment and add room treatments; the holographic experience happens as soon as I drop the needle on the record player.

I have successfully been able to recreate this feeling in various sized rooms. In my experiences, it seems that tube equipment and vinyl add to this experience more so than solid state components, again, my experience and also my listening experience. The exception to this was the DCS stack playing on all ultra high end equipment which sounded analog like and provided the 3D holography described above.

My newly acquired Mcintosh MVP 891 SACD player seems to come close to the sound of that DCS stack I heard about 5 years ago, therefore I listen to SACD 2 channel and surround audio about one third of the time now compared to records, which, for now, is still my favorite source medium. Technology advances are really helping us as a community to achieve outstanding results with a variety of sources and mediums.

Just sit back and listen to the music, you have reached nirvana. Congratulations.
Audioquest4life