Acoustics is very hard to predict. A living room with furniture scattered around is probably the best acoustical environment you could possibly have with a nice system. Plenty of absorption and diffusion going on and if you have a bookcase all the better. I think what Jay is doing is very high risk and it's unclear what's gonna happen.
I think people go nuts with all the acoustical treatments and making the room look real pretty with cute diffuser panels up on the wall behind the speakers that questionably don’t do much of anything the people can hear unless you do the entire wall with diffuser panels which is probably the better approach. Sure a few absorption panels scattered about makes sense but as far as all the scientific positioning that’s recommended it’s all bunk. Most people have furniture in their rooms and none of the acoustical design experts don’t even know about this. their room consists of a single chair in front of a system with all kinds of acoustical panels which is not the typical way most people enjoy their systems.

