One speaker observation from the New York Hifi show.

If you have a small or small-medium room like me, i suggest using a sealed speaker. I am new to hifi. Discovering a nht superone 2.1 and zero 2.1 are aweone. I can place these a few inch away from wall and get amazing sound with very good bass from superone.

I have electrostatic highbred speakers (Martin-Logan Summitt X) - any  thoughts on distance from The wall behind the speakers or the side walls? And toe in?

Different speakers require different placements.  Speakers that radiate front and back differ from box speakers.

There is no universal “Best”, it all relates to the speaker type and room.

within the world of Maggies there is always debate about tweeters inside or outside placement.

Sit in your listening position and move the speakers around until it sounds good.  If moving them around is not an option, just put them where they have to go and deal with it.

Think about your room before you buy speakers.  If you are really into imaging, buy smaller speakers.  The main problems will be with the longer frequencies (bass) coupling with the walls (and anything else in the room).  I don't think it matters much whether the speaker is ported or not, those low frequencies are going to couple with the walls in all directions.  The further way from the walls, the less energy will be presented to the reflective surfaces, thus the bass will be better tamed.  If you must have your speakers near a wall, DSP may well be a good option.  Room treatments work well, but they can get expensive (and if you are forced to put the speakers next to the wall, there is a high likelihood that bass traps and acoustic panels will also be forbidden).

 I attended the NY hifi show and felt it was a shame the size of the rooms would not allow most of the systems to do justice to their potential. So much time and effort from the exhibitors with costly equipment and other than the Martin Logan monoliths in the cavernous conference room, all the other rooms made me feel clostraphobic.  I chose to sit or stand in the very back of most rooms just not to be in the face of  the speakers. 
Gotta give credit to the exhibitors , probably spent several hours positioning trying to make the most with what they were dealt.
i just wonder if the show was held say..in the Javitz Center or someplace in seacaucus with room to spare ...... nah,never mind.  I just appreciate the opportunity to see a wide range of equipment in one place.