To Wilson Maxx I, I or IIII owners, or any Wilson speaker owners


I have heard that speakers will disappear, when they're set up correctly.  The only time I've experienced this, is when I had a pair of Martin Logan Monoliths.  It took me literally years, to figure out the panels I placed on both sides of them etc. Completely different sound, just sayin.  My present placement is 54" from the side walls and 42" from the back walls-slightly towed in.  I have tried every which way but loose, as far as the distance from each wall and the toe-in angle.  Really wide and more towed in.  Let me be clear-I have a VERY good sound stage and image, vocals are coming from right in front of me, but when I look at them (this may sound weird) I can hear the speaker.  I basically have an equilateral triangle , as far as my listening position goes.  Does anyone out there have the Wilsons and are not experiencing this?  Don't get me wrong-they sound absolutely fantastic, but as far as "disappearing"-not so much.  I did achieve this when listening to the "White Album", but it was mixed differently.  Thought I had it solved, till I played a more modern LP..  FYI-I have mucho sound absorption- up, down, rear and first reflection points.  I'm in the process of building QRD diffusers, but it will be a few more months till I get them completed.(a QRD-23 in the front and a couple of QRD-11's in the back).  I loved the sound of the Martin Logans, but like the sound of full frontal, in your face, better.  Maybe I'm expecting too much?  FYI have Krell FPB-600 monoblocks pushing the Wilson's.
handymann
Shadorne
So what you're basically saying, is to put a piece of felt over the surface of the speaker, where the mids and tweeters are located, cutting out a hole for the speakers?  That would raise the face the thickness of a standard piece of felt.
Handyman

In terms of distances I have set up my MAXX very similar to what you have done.  However, its very important to be very methodical about set up; I found that changes of only 1/2 inch truly made a difference with these speakers. While it sounds like you have them properly  soundstaging, to make them disappear you definitely will need to toe them in more so you just see the inner side.  Then while maintaining the toe in, start moving them small increments toward and away from each other, and when you think the sound has become slightly more diffuse, then slightly alter the toe in further or less to see if this further causes some disappearance of the speakers.  Finally check to see that the speaker distance to your listening position is exactly the same. Once this is completed you still may wish to make very small adjustments within the surrounding rectangular area under the speakers which has gotten smaller and smaller. You will need to mark the floor with tape in order to do this accurately. A laser ruler can be very helpful for accuracy so that speaker distances to the listening position are exactly the same.

Furthermore, you probably need further diffusion behind the speakers, not just absorption. I have had success using a 16 inch ASC tube trap directly behind each speaker with the diffusion side of the tube trap facing the listening position. From what you describe you may actually have too much damping directly behind the MAXX. Try removing some and see if this also helps. While these speakers are large, they definitely can be made to disappear. By the way, this can take a bit of time making these incremental changes and listening after each change so don't get frustrated, rather enjoy the journey.
Hi Spar. I understand about the small adjustments. I think I even posted here one time as little as 1/4" can make huge difference. I have spent hours doing this and more. I need to post a picture of my room I guess. I pretty much almost have each side of my room symmetrical-almost. Same goes for the back and front. One thing I am using that may make a difference, is a three seat leather sofa, instead of a single chair. 
@handymann

You got it. You can buy speaker felt from parts express for example. It will cost you very little to try and to experiment on where the felt best helps imaging.

Here is a pic of some Dunlavvy speakers - this idea really works but is only necessary on speakers with sharp edges and changes in the baffle depth between drivers.

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/attachments/mastering-forum/176430d1275688846-feeler-dunlavy-sc-vi-p...
Shadorne:  What effect do u think a 3 seat leather sofa, instead of a single seat chair would have?  I have the sofa.