Square living room--12x12

Open. 

I assume you already have your equipment? Or are you buying based on the space? Right off hand, I’d say it really depends on whether the speakers are ported, and which way they’re ported. That will really dictate how close to the walls you can place them for optimal sound.

If you’ve yet to purchase your equipment, that gives you a bit more to work with. I'd agree without any info the open side will give you the best sound. For over 30 years I haven't had speakers anywhere near the walls.

First thing is do you own the space, or just renting?

I have some suggestions, but only if you are the owner.  

Thanks for the quick responses.We own the house.Speakers are Ohm Walsh 2s.

If you put the open dining area behind the loud and long echo is gonna be hella distracting. What you will never in your life do, but should if sound is all that matters, is put the system in the open space and the couch against the wall. Well, not right against. Out a little, wherever is the best balance.

The speakers will then be way out from any walls and throw a deep image like nobody’s business. The echo by the time it reaches you way back against the wall will be diffuse and create a sense of spaciousness. I actually set the system up like this one time at an audiophile club that met in a church basement. They never had the creativity to do anything like this. Everyone was amazed how the system they all thought wasn’t capable of imaging suddenly sounded deep and wide and holographic. Oh, I also used a tape measure so set it up in half the time they always took

Even though they all knew it sounded better than they ever heard they of course never set it up this way again. Because audiophiles love the talk, a whole lot more than they walk the walk. All hat and no cattle, as they say in Texas. You’ll never in a million years even try this idea just to see. But its totally the way to go. Bonus points: easy back of gear access, great excuse to educate guests about audio. If you did it. Which you won’t. Which I can understand. But you asked. So I answered.

Sounds interesting. Never thought that way. Then the issue is getting speaker wire to both speakers which would cross the floor between the speakers?

Ohm Walsh 2’s are made to be placed around a foot or so off the wall, out in open space, they can sound okay, but certainly not the best or as intended. 

Probably the best thing you can do is simply experiment, see what works and sounds best for your own ears! Have fun, enjoy your new space! 

You need wall reflection near the Omni Walsh driver for them to function as designed. You might also be interested in this month Copper magazine published w link online by PS Audio - factory visit and conversation w Ohm leadership/engineer. They take phone calls.

Thanks for all your help!