@k600r you are absolutely correct, I have 2 sets of speakers, one set has to be up against the wall or no more than 6" out from the wall, and the other set sounds better about 1/3 of the way into the room, both sound best pointed straight forward.
Why does pulling out main speakers from wall improve sound?
Ask my dealer this question and he was stumped. He said it's a good idea but couldn't say why. I see speakers pulled out eight or more feet from the wall in very nice systems.
The drivers are facing forward, and when there are no ports in the back of the speaker so why would it matter?