Very interesting. My ALFRs disappear no matter where one sits. Maybe the other v4 Axioms do too- I've never listened for that. But it's only at the MLP that the soundstage, imaging and fidelity are perfectly aligned into a holygraphic trinity.

I never thought of the volume knob in that way.

House of the Rising Sone
Out in the mid or far field
Dedicated mid-woofers are over-rated