Stringreen,
I would think it would be more the soundstaging than imaging that would be compromised. I myself have a similar size cabinet between my two speakers and have pulled my speakers out to where the fronts are approximately 12" in front of the cabinet. Imaging is quite good from side to side and extends beyond the sides of the speakers. Soundstaging is not bad either, as I get good height but I will say the "stage" itself is not as deep (front to back) as I would like it to be. Of course, if the cabinet wasn't in the way, I would get another three foot of "stage" depth. As it is, the stage seems to extend from the front of cabinet to about five or six foot out into my living from. Of course, my system is set up in a "real world" enviroment, as are most peoples, and I've had to accept some necessary compromises because of that. Nevertheless, I'm satified sonically with what I was able to achieve
I would think it would be more the soundstaging than imaging that would be compromised. I myself have a similar size cabinet between my two speakers and have pulled my speakers out to where the fronts are approximately 12" in front of the cabinet. Imaging is quite good from side to side and extends beyond the sides of the speakers. Soundstaging is not bad either, as I get good height but I will say the "stage" itself is not as deep (front to back) as I would like it to be. Of course, if the cabinet wasn't in the way, I would get another three foot of "stage" depth. As it is, the stage seems to extend from the front of cabinet to about five or six foot out into my living from. Of course, my system is set up in a "real world" enviroment, as are most peoples, and I've had to accept some necessary compromises because of that. Nevertheless, I'm satified sonically with what I was able to achieve