@noromance,
l absoloutely love your equipment!
Based upon my own experience, given your unfinished walls, etc...
I can only give vague assessments, you understand right?
Until you finish your basement, (this will always be the (elephant) in the room, so to speak)... you will never reach the potential your current system has for you. I’m currently in my (own phase) of trying to reach my full system’s potential.
It cost a lot. but in my experience, the rewards are worth it!
FWIW: I’m currently using a combination of these products:
(1) Ready Acoustic panel..Owens Corning, modified by me
(2) Furutech RW-1 wall diffusors
(3) (8) Vicoustic Extreme Bass Panels
(4) Stillpoints Apeture (1).. (right now!) (4) more in the mail.
I almost forgot.. Yes!!! get rid of the acoustic foam!. Don’t, I (rpt), don’t cheap out on acoustic treatments!
You asked...I answered..
I can only say "being berated"..well , It’s your ears, your system..right? If you have doubts when others say something..there MAY be something wrong?