References available on real life room "tuning"?

I don't know about that. Due to room constraints, my head has been against the back wall for over 15 years and I get great bass reproduction. Tight, taut, and tuneful. Could it be that I also listen in the near field?

Sounds like something else is at play with your setup but mine is at the best it's been.

Doggitter, try some different footing approaches and set ups as no one thing is going to solve your problem. What is thought to be reflections can be a host of other things combining to make your listening pleasure not what it should be. I mention this because I recently experimented with some footings for my speakers and was surprised at just how much it affected the sound.

High end sibilance and other irritants can be easily judged to be due to reflections when it can be tamed by different footings, spikes and bases for your speakers.

All the best,
Nonoise

Mr N: Yes, near-field listening could be making all the difference. Especially in a small room. Also, you may have a null(narrow enough or at a low enough frequency), against that back wall, that doesn't affect your perception of bass reproduction. (http://www.realtraps.com/art_small_rooms.htm)

Rodman99999,
Thanks for the clarification. My speakers "only" go down to 40Hz so that probably helps as well since I'm not reproducing the really deep bass notes.

All the best,
Nonoise

Happy listening! =;^)

I can't get much more solid footing unless I redesign the Paradigm M7 bases. They're sitting on a brick fireplace hearth, about as solid as can be.
I think the room layout situation is horrible but it is what it has to be. Adding and moving things to improve certain areas will have to do. I notice no pictures posted on this forum so I'll guess it's a no-no? I'd post a pic of the room otherwise.