Chuck...I like your near-field set-up as a solution for a small square room set-up. Pulling the speakers 8' into the room from the front wall makes sense in terms of taking out that wall from the equation. The question I have is did you put any absorption or diffusion panels right behind your listening position on the back wall to treat rear wall reflections since you are sitting right up against that back wall. Secondly any treatments for side-wall reflections? Interesting solution for sure...
