The manual had nothing to say about speaker location. They are less critical of placement than my previous Electa Amators. Despite their reputation for needing space (based on their first order crossovers) for driver integration, I listen to mine in an equalateral triangle of 8 ft., with the speakers toed in so that I cannot see the outside plane. They are about 2 ft. from rear wall and many feet from side walls. They disappear, and heaven is mine. PS: Try BEL S-24 speaker cables.