Room treatments

Tube traps are absorptive at low frequencies and mid (500-1k) and can be absorptive or reflective at high depending on how they are oriented. Full specs are here on the latest model http://www.acousticsciences.com/products/isothermal-tubetrap

in my experience they work really well in corners to deal with bass modes, and you can then tune HF to taste by orienting them. I'd steer clear of using them at first reflection points for fear of the effects you observed

sounds to me that the exhibitors in question had speakers way too big for the room and were trying to compensate

youre welcome to come visit me system any time to see how ASC products (traps, planks, soffit and wall damp) can work in my smallish room

wait - the showroom was meticulously treated 'BY' ASC?

or with ASC products??

yes, the newer items are hybrid devices, working in 2 different freq. regions - read all about it in ... Master Hndbk..

So my daughter and her husband are moving and I noticed a brand new temperpedic mattress they had in guest room they were getting rid of. I don not like to collect anything. Room treatment has been mentioned a ton of times before and that the room is close to the most important component of a sound system. Makes sense to me. Well I don't know why, but I thought i would take it home and put it behind my listening position. I did that a week ago. 
It made a big difference in the sound. It is way more open sounding. More dynamic. It has a fuller harmonic structure.  It is more real sounding. It is more expressive. I think it is a big improvement. But it has only been a week. 
Just wanted to share. 

@williewonka thanks! I may try that...

@asvjerry I'm in a 117 year old craftsman and I know I can improve a bit

Someone mentioned the foam factory and I think some of their things may work for me.

what a great discussion his formed into!

thanks everyone for all the input!