Speaker distance and tow in?????/

The best rule of thumb I know of is the speakers and seating should both be at i/3 the room depth. If that is not possible 1/5, 1/3 works. The next would be 1/7….
In you 18x30 room I assume your speakers are on the short wall, thus you have a little under five feet to each side wall? If this is true the 1/3 dimension is 10’. Meaning the best would be to start 10‘ to the speakers and 10 more to the chair. As you said, this is not practical. The next best is the speakers at 6 feet from the back wall to the tweeter face. This would still provide adequate soundstage depth. If this is not possible, the 1/7th dimension is 4.2 feet. If you need to go even closer keep trying the odd factor of dimension.
As per toe in, start straight out and test it. Keep toeing in until the center image becomes clear and defined. Small amounts from that point will allow you to tune it closer, making a solo vocalist’s mouth appear the correct size.

No... my room is for math..... 18x24 with my speakers on the 24" wall. My room is all angles and wraps around to the kitchen and on the 24" side is dining room. I have a semi cath sealing and a tre ceiling in the dining area. I don" think I have a side wall problem or the "box" type room that gives that kind of problems either. I have what I guess is called a kinda great room. Like I said..... my speakers are at 8.5 feet apart..... I am going to have to live with that. I guess it's just a matter of "WORK" to get it to sound the best I can.

can you place your seating area (ear) 12' from the speaker wall? That's where I would start, giving you a greater distance from the speakers that they are apart. the ceiling and angualar shape will help in many regards, but the 1/3 rule will still give you the best starting point.

If pulling them further out into the room is a problem, I would consider a different brand of speakers. A friend of mine has NHTs and they like it close to the wall.
It's either that or....how long have you been married?
Sonny

Anyone else toe their speakers *out*? Because I sit (much) farther back from my speakers than the distance between my speakers, I toe them out just a bit.