OK, so the main issue is keeping them away from the walls. I have my listening position 1/3 from the back wall and my current speakers 1.4m (4'7") from the front wall and about 0.8m (2'7") from side walls.
It does result in a cosy listening position relative to the speakers as you say. Would this be OK for open baffles?
But my impression was that because open baffle is bipole, the side reflections are less of an issue and so they are better for small rooms?