Regarding speaker placement...you never can tell what is best for your room without trying it. Put the speakers on teflon sliders which you can get at Home Depot or Lowes....put the components in the center of the room, and slide those speakers all around the room. It is VERY obvious when you have found the best position...the sound just seems effortless and rich. It is worth doing...for me however, my wife wanted them where they are now and thats the way it is.
Speaker placement question-
When I read a a review of whatever speaker, the reviewer may comment how far the speakers were placed from the back and side walls. I have always wondered how is this measured. If its a box speaker, as most are, and if the speakers are said to be 36" from the back wall, is that 36" measured from the speaker's back panel, the front panel where the drivers are mounted, or from a point at the center of the speaker cabinet? Same question applies to distance to the side wall. Thanks!