New speakers unveiled from Clayton Shaw - Caladan

Yes, maybe you can get acceptable sound...and in some cases maybe even good sound with open baffles at 2 feet....But....I don't think you can apply a universal rule when it comes to open baffle location and best sound because of how much room influence there is. 

When I owned the Spatial Audio M3 Sapphires, I started at 30"....then 40" then 50"...and in my room, ended up at 41" as the "best sounding" location.

I tried the same with the Magnepan LRS+..and ultimately ended up with 60".

I am with Audioman on this one.  My M4TM's have resided about 16" from a well-treated back wall and they sound sensational.  I moved them further out many times, but the result was that I only loss bass response .  Easy for me to say the Spatials are the least sensitive to room placement of any speakers I have had, other than Linkwitz speakers.  The Magnepans clearly need far more room, dunno why.  

Hopefully someone is going to Capital Audiofest, and will report back on the speakers.....not sure who's electronics are with them

The room was pretty crowded so I only listened to them for a few minutes and I was on the side of the room. I hope to get back later in the show. I couldn’t really assess the imaging and sound stage, but they sounded clean with good tone, nice range, and punchy bass. They were using LTA electronics. 

Clayton's room also debuted LTA's DAC, AD chip and ZOTL tube output stage, the system was clear, delicate, dynamically alive, and the bass had weight, quickness, and did have punch when required, welcome back Clayton.