Are there speakers that disappear regardless of the recording?

...back to the op's original query...

Theft.

The only ones I suggest are Magneplaners, but you need to have them set-up properly and you need quality hardware.  They only reproduce what you give them, so speak to a good dealer and have them set up IN YOUR ROOM and see what you think.

Don't listen to any of us; make up your own mind ONCE YOU LISTEN.

Cheers!

Sorry if I offended anyone….

Revel M126Be are a nice pair that work very well in older houses and or smaller rooms. Not cheap, but I liked them better than the cheaper priced B&W bookshelves. Just an opinion….

Assuming the speakers themselves aren’t resonating excessively it is always the room and placement.

Also, keep in mind that B&W’s may sound a lot better on the mid axis than the tweeter axis. Experiment with sitting there. Also, toe them out a little.

Having said this, there are some recordings with instruments hard left or hard right, and that may break the illusion, especially if your soundstage is usually behind your speakers.

The presentation of solid imaging within a wide and deep soundstage has to be available in the recording.

Then it is about the room, room treatments, and best placement of the speakers within.

Then it is about the speakers inherent ability to present the available soundscape.

Then it is about the ability of equipment to present this to the speakers.

And now we are back to the recording.

Having too much fun over coffee:-).