[Budget_Mike]

I'm a be honest, I'm attempting to set up a HiFi 2 channel listening area in our new homes living room. The area is less the ideal to control reflections. It's my understanding that an OB speaker choice can help with reducing reflections (especially first reflections) with their figure eight dispersion pattern.

The listening area is weird, its not a traditional rectangular room. The back wall has an open space that used to be sliding doors that now lead to an extension of the house, so not much reflections coming from the back. As far as the sides one side opens up to the kitchen (Basically only 4 ft of wall then rest open) and the other side has a little nook with windows. We have Terrazzo floors and plaster walls. Without a doubt I will be putting down a nice thick area rug with padding to help, curtains over the windows (considering "acoustic curtains") and then whatever is left of the back wall use a piece of art work converted into an acoustic panel. The room is probably 13' X 20' give or take.

Considering GR Research X-Statik model in hopes that it creates that sound stage with minimal ability to treat the room.

[diyman]

Be aware the X-Statik is not a true OB speaker.  It is a hybrid with the top MTM part being an OB, but the bottom section with the woofers is sealed.

[WC]

Can the speakers be set at least 3 ft from the wall behind it?

[Budget_Mike]

Be aware the X-Statik is not a true OB speaker.  It is a hybrid with the top MTM part being an OB, but the bottom section with the woofers is sealed.

Ah yes, very true. Though with it being completely sealed I'm hoping for some tight bass.

[Budget_Mike]

Can the speakers be set at least 3 ft from the wall behind it?

Yes absolutely, my research led me to the same conclusion. They need space to achieve the -/+ figure eight.

[hawkeyejw]

I think you'll find they'll do well. I've found the bass in mine is really nicely defined, tight, high resolution. Just keep in mind, you aren't going to have tons of extension most likely especially since you lose some of the boundary gain you'd have if they were closer to a corner. Overall the quality of the bass is excellent, you'll just want to supplement the bottom end with a dedicated subwoofer most likely.

[Danny Richie]

Yes absolutely, my research led me to the same conclusion. They need space to achieve the -/+ figure eight.

Then you'll be fine.

[RonN5]

I’d like to expand on Budget Mikes question by asking Danny something that hit me after the first two OB videos... many people now have large open concept living areas... maybe 900 square feet and up with 10’ ceilings or more....does open baffle provide an advantage over box speakers in very large rooms or does the large area and volume allow the box speaker to shine?

[Danny Richie]

The OB woofers can still have the same advantages. But just as with a sealed or ported woofer, when the room size gets bigger you will need to use more woofers.