I have my QS8's on the back wall facing forward in a 5.1 set up since my couch is against the wall and side mounting was not really an option. (brick fireplace on right, and no side wall on the left... just an opening into the kitch)
I think the QS8's sound great this way, and as many have said they are very easy to place.
When I audition axioms before my purchase the QS8's were on stands facing in toward the listening area. I had him rotate the QS8's facing toward the front to see how it sounded and I did not notice much of a difference to be honest.
