Depends on the room though. In my room the best sound was with the speakers about 6 inches from the side wall but about 3 feet or more from the front wall. If I moved them back they sound terrible and if I moved them in the room from the sides they still sound good but not as refined. And close to the wall gave them a better soundstage because they were out of the line of sight more (physically removed from the soundstage).
The modes of the room will play a part in this though. When they were away from the side walls the modes would just totally come together more and drown out the soundstage and imaging. Also I just through some diffusers on the side wall and it was all good. Broke up the sound before it reflected off and ruined the soundstage. But for the most part those side walls can be very nasty.
I guess what Im saying is.... yes in general sidewalls are bad. But you have to just try it out and see. (I have them toed in pretty good too which will help a lot to make those side walls a lot less of an issue)
The modes of the room will play a part in this though. When they were away from the side walls the modes would just totally come together more and drown out the soundstage and imaging. Also I just through some diffusers on the side wall and it was all good. Broke up the sound before it reflected off and ruined the soundstage. But for the most part those side walls can be very nasty.
I guess what Im saying is.... yes in general sidewalls are bad. But you have to just try it out and see. (I have them toed in pretty good too which will help a lot to make those side walls a lot less of an issue)