I think this is a case where the 80s just won't work in the situation where you have to place them ( are you reading this Jack ).Being along the long wall I believe you are not allowing enough distance between the speaker and the listening position.Since the wife will not allow for placement on the short wall (which probably would work) maybe the only thing to do is to try a different model.The M22+ a sub sounds like a pretty good choice in this case.

Rick


"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud