"The spatial information relating to a sound source is mainly detected by the brain in the first five milliseconds, everything which follows will at first be ignored. Sound travels at 1.7 metres (5.6 ft) in five milliseconds. If the sound of a reflection has to travel 1.7 m (5.6 ft) more than the direct sound of the source, then it will have no influence on our spatial perception."
The above statement lays down the basis for acoustic treatment or speaker placement. If you place the speaker correctly so that the reflected sound has to travel 5.6 ft more than the direct sound, the importance of acoustic treatment becomes less.
In small rooms, however you may not have the luxury of moving speakers away from the side walls or the rear wall. In that case the only recourse left is to absorb the sound at reflection points.
The article below shows in layman's language on how to attempt achieving the best speaker placement
[audio physic] - no loss of fine detail
after reading the above, you can also read the Cardas method which uses the golden ratio for the best speaker placement
Cardas Audio
The above statement lays down the basis for acoustic treatment or speaker placement. If you place the speaker correctly so that the reflected sound has to travel 5.6 ft more than the direct sound, the importance of acoustic treatment becomes less.
In small rooms, however you may not have the luxury of moving speakers away from the side walls or the rear wall. In that case the only recourse left is to absorb the sound at reflection points.
The article below shows in layman's language on how to attempt achieving the best speaker placement
[audio physic] - no loss of fine detail
after reading the above, you can also read the Cardas method which uses the golden ratio for the best speaker placement
Cardas Audio