Speaker set up for more than 1 person

The term near field listening position​​​​​ is a recording engineering term that defines speaker placement between 3 to 5 feet from the engineer at his mixing console. At 9 feet, your listening position is not near field and probably at the median of most members without dedicated listening rooms or that have small room set-ups.  Reviews I read of your previous model indicated the listening position was 7.5 feet from the speakers. I recommend you experiment with moving your listening position closer with adjusting toe in proportionately.  Your room at 20x30x10 is larger than most.  While your speakers are published to excel at imaging, that is a large volume to pressurize and to create dense images.  Moving the listening position closer with appropriate toe in may increase perceived pressurization and image density, and improve the sweet spot.  What I am trying to articulate is that the sweet spot may seem ok on axis due to image density but because you are far from the speaker, the density may reduce off axis.  I do not have the benefit of off axis response measurements, or direct experience with your speakers, so this is only a guess.  Your speaker design with the  vibrating tongue has the design intent of increasing center fill, providing an upfront wide stage, and reducing depth.  The literature I read states this was a specific engineering design intent.  I cannot comment on how the up front image placement affects the sweet spot.  It should by design give you a decent sweet spot.   +1 with @erik_squires regarding toe in.  My speaker manual recommends drastic toe in with the drivers crossing slightly in front of the listening position.  However, experimentation proved to my ears the best staging, imaging, and sweet spot was with a toe in only a few degrees in from straight forward.  So reducing toe in in my case increased the sweet spot.  I would experiment with listening position and speaker placement, including toe in.  Good luck.  

I thought near field meant you are hearing more direct sound than reflected sound. 

I would not say getting center imaging in two seats is impossible because I have done it though it was a great deal of effort in sound quality car stereo system. Doing it in a listening room would be entirely different and someone might of figured it out, just have to dig in and find out if so, that is how I learned to do it in can mobile system and it was still a great deal of effort but quite worth it.

Rick

@mlsstl @mapman 
Omnis....In our case, Walsh. ;)
In my case, Mine. 
Nice 'air' in here...;) 
Hope you enjoy
Don't stare.
J

Had family over last night. Let son sit in sweet spot for a couple songs and he was good with that. Im my case when company is at house there is alot of conversation. Not really critical listening time. 

Grandkids came in, dance music put on and all had a good time.