@prof Thanks for the followup. I and (I'm sure) others here would like to know how your second listening sessions goes as it will most likely have different gear and room boundaries to consider.
What you said about positioning mirrors what Stever McCormack said: it's kind of chameleon like in how it can sound depending on how they're aimed. In the Steve Huff video review he wrote them off until he tried some different gear and then he heard what they're capable of, and kept them.
I'm perfectly fine with their imposing looks as they're practically the same size as my JBL 4319 "monitors" and love the big, effortless sound they can put out, at most volumes.
Sounds like I'm convincing myself, again. An old habit I'm very familiar with.😄
All the best,
Nonoise