Thanks Duke. If I’m understanding correctly you are describing the kind of sound that I really like (with the early sidewall relections). Found in bipoles (e.g. my ancient Mirage M3s), wide dispersion bookshelf speakers (my LSA bookshelf) and I would guess omnidirectionals. The speakers disappear, and you can walk around the room and the speakers remain disappeared. Not a goal, just a description of a kind of sound I like.
Soundstage
I have a decent size room 20’x33’x9’. Due to the placement of some large columns I need to place my equipment on the long wall. While I can achieve an equilateral triangle between seat and speakers (11’ on all sides) .... I am unable to have the front of the speakers more than 3’ from the front wall. I am using Avantgarde Uno speakers with Pass Labs XA 60.8 amp and AR Ref 6 pre. Sources are Lumin X1 and SME 20. The overall sound and imaging are wonderful. There are two problems that I can’t seem to get right. First, the soundstage is rather narrow ... does extend beyond the speakers (have tried every off to on axis position). Second, the image is detailed/precise but not deep ... it just sort of hangs on the wall 3’ behind the face of the speakers. I believe that the problems are due the speakers not being far enough from the front wall but I can’t move them out more (due to the columns I mention). Any suggestions on how I might fix these two problems?