Locating speakers behind where you sit versus positioning them on the side?

I was in a smaller room before I relocated my system to a larger room and the rear speakers were placed on the sides of room because they couldn’t go behind me.

Now they are behind me and I thought this might be better.

When they were on my side they were literally sending soundwaves directly to my ear and I think that may have been better.

If you had your choice which position would you use for these speakers. Not really feasible to do both rear and side