I managed to get rid of my phase issues by increasing the sub distance in my Denon's menu. My sub is 11 feet away but, through trial and error, I upped it to 19.
I do indeed have stereo direct but I find that even though the 80s have great low frequency extension, without the sub, they sound thin. Thin is perhaps too harsh a word but you know what I mean. I can't live without a sub now...even for just music.
I discovered that the M80s have significantly more low frequency prowess (in the subjective sense of gut-thumping bass) when the A1400-8 powers them at higher volumes vs my Yamaha DSP-A1 (110W/ch). For this reason, I prefer the EP-500 off for stereo mode while listening to music.
John
