A primary factor is how much space behind the speakers.
My current setup, wall behind, I get great imaging EXCEPT limited Depth
Prior Location, Long Space, Speakers 2/3’s out facing Living Area One End, Very Wide Archway Open to Dining Area Behind Speakers: MORE DEPTH.
However, the reverse existed regarding rear wall reflection timing..
Prior: Sofa against rear wall, quick rear wall reflections
Current: Open space Behind Listening Position, diminished volume of and increased time delay of rear reflections, improves precision of imaging.
And: Rear PORTS: Closed here, Open Prior (a bit of extended bass out of the 15" woofers) too close to rear wall now.
I was young, thinking too much, had Electrovoice Engineers help me with port design, never needed, waste of time.
My friend has my old JSE Model II’s, he loved them here when younger. He lives in a Firehouse he bought, they have PLENTY of space behind and to the side, he updated the crossovers, changed the tweeters from those nice but easily blown Dynaudio D21’s.
HOWEVER, like my prior location, his sofa is against the wall behind. I keep telling him, treat the wall behind, minimize the rear reflections. He mentioned he has a giant American Flag. I would glue a thick layer of old fashioned carpet underlayment on the wall behind the flag.
He thinks he may reverse everything in the big room, then he would have plenty space on sides, rear, and behind his listening position, that ought to be better than ever.
Maybe when setup, I’ll have him and a strong friend or two move my current speakers over there, hear them in that ’open’ setup for the first time, and he wants to compare these to the Model II’s.