I am no expert but have gone through quite a few trial and errors. It depends on what you're looking for and every room is diferent. If you feel the highs are piercing or the sound becomes 'messy' when you crank up the volume too high then you would need absorption on at least one wall. I personally ended up with absorption at two side walls and RPG diffusors at the rear. I cannot treat the front wall as I have a screen there but have tried diffusors with positive results.
If you do not plan to have treatments on the side wall then I would think you can have absorption at the back and possibly minimal absorption at the front behind the speakers. You need to try it out yourself.
On a separate matter, I find bass traps to have a positive effect in my room as well although some may not find them doing any good in controlling the bass.
You can be amazed at how well your system will perform or react in a well-treated room. Prior to treating my room I always cannot turn up the volume too high although I like my music loud or I would end up with painful ears. Now I often listen at higher volume levels without hurting my ears. It just feels great when you can just keep turning up the volume without getting a 'messed-up' sound. At that point of time you would appreciate the importance of room acoustics and maybe spend more time working on improving it.
If you do not plan to have treatments on the side wall then I would think you can have absorption at the back and possibly minimal absorption at the front behind the speakers. You need to try it out yourself.
On a separate matter, I find bass traps to have a positive effect in my room as well although some may not find them doing any good in controlling the bass.
You can be amazed at how well your system will perform or react in a well-treated room. Prior to treating my room I always cannot turn up the volume too high although I like my music loud or I would end up with painful ears. Now I often listen at higher volume levels without hurting my ears. It just feels great when you can just keep turning up the volume without getting a 'messed-up' sound. At that point of time you would appreciate the importance of room acoustics and maybe spend more time working on improving it.