Putting your components inbetween your speakers.

George, it is about preference also.  I do not like an image and soundstage that deep with my system.  I prefer layers just behind the plane of the speakers up to 10 ft and in some cases with some layering in front of the plane at the same time.  More of a 10th row perspective.

Most do not have the endless options to experiment with placement.  Some basics to work on in any room:

No equipment rack at the first reflection point on the side

No equipment rack in corners of the room

Equal distance from the sidewall on both speakers

No rack between the speakers (a luxury for most) or almost as good - low, beneath the tweeters and equal or less to the MR.

Diffusion at first reflection point or absorption - smaller room should use absorption.

These basics have worked for me in several rooms I have had some small and some large, but all challenging.

Cheers!

In the end.. it’s all about choices.

These choices include, cost, vs. ultimate SQ

Which one chooses is up to them.

I do not like an image and soundstage that deep with my system.

Hang on lets get this right, this is not a false image/depth impression, it doesn’t happen with every recording, only with ones that have been recorded with it, others can sound as flat as a pancake.

Just get hold of Chesky sampling and audio test disc, Part 2 Audio setup test tracks, track 12 Image and depth test, at different lengths up to 4mts back from the from the microphone, then you'll realise with your stuff between the speakers you've ruined your image/depth as seen with your eyes and heard with your ears.  

Cheers George

Is imaging better down the length of the room or across the short length?
What about near-field? 

@noromance: Kinda a late post to your question, but from my experience and all I’ve read, you want your speakers, depending on what type, to be placed far from the side and rear walls and your listening position to be far enough from the back wall, for the sound to actually have a chance to “form.”  I heard Dennis Foley say the best place to listen, would be out in a field, where reflection points etc, can not enter in to the sound.  On your direct question, I would want my listening position to be on the long end of the room.  I’m sure you’ve figured this out by now.