Voice and instrument image bunched in the middle??

Just a couple of thoughts to add to what has been said:

1)A contributor to the lack of focus, especially if it primarily has a vertical orientation, may simply be that the six foot listening distance is not enough for the drivers to blend properly. As you indicated, though, that is not the major issue at present.

2)I would give serious consideration to the possibility that rear wall reflections are the major contributor to the lack of image width. As an experiment, it might be worth temporarily moving the foam cushions to the rear wall (above the bed), and the bass traps to the rear corners (moving the desk if necessary).

Before placing the cushions and traps in the rear, though, you would want to first re-assess the imaging and sonics with them not placed anywhere, to eliminate possible ambiguity as to whether the differences that are perceived result from removing the cushions and traps from one location or installing them at another.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al

"1)A contributor to the lack of focus, especially if it primarily has a vertical orientation, may simply be that the six foot listening distance is not enough for the drivers to blend properly. As you indicated, though, that is not the major issue at present."

I didn't think of that. When you sit too close to the speakers, they start to sound like headphones.

Hello Pc (my initials too :-). I don't understand how you want a "tighter focus" if all images are "bunched in the center"?? (but your statement makes sense if your polarities are screwed up) I think you should start at the very basics. Buy a "polarity tester", max $15.00. Check polarity at your wall outlet. Fix it if necessary as reverse polarity will have unpredictable-but negative- effects on sound.(It's interesting how everything needs to be correct to get the best out of a system.) Do your components have modern plugs with one prong wider than the other? If not experiment with reversing your plug(s) orientation in the wall socket and listen to which orientation gives you the "cleanest" sound--the ability to hear the attack & trailing edge of notes-perhaps try some simple guitar discs. You need to use a guitar disc that you have confirmed is itself in "correct absolute polarity". Your positioning is ok altho in this extreme case I would toe in the speakers so the center focus of the tweeter is just on each ear. All speakers measure flatest on the center of the tweeter--so hopefully that at least gives you the best stereo match. Perhaps call your preamp manufacturer and ask them if your unit emits "phase correct" or "phase inverted". I would call them if I were you. Discuss your problem. Let us know please.

"Perhaps call your preamp manufacturer and ask them if your unit emits "phase correct" or "phase inverted"."

That's not the problem here. First, the difference is very subtle. Even if you have a preamp or source that allows you to change absolute phase, its very hard to hear differences on a consistent basis. Second, about half of the recordings released are absolute phase correct, and the other half are not. So even though the OP can't change this, he still has a 50% chance of hearing the recordings properly in phase.

@Ptss and Everyone,

Thank you so much for all your advise. I really appreciate it. Gonna look at testing the polarity of my wall outlet, get 2 or 4 proper absorber panels (to treat 1st reflection points) and play with speaker repositioning. Will let you guys in on my progress soon...:)