Charlie, welcome. What you say that you read would appear to be incorrect. With the couch up close to the back wall there's little difference between having the side surround speakers on the side walls close to the back wall or on the back wall close to the side walls. This is especially the case with speakers having very wide dispersion, such as the Axiom QSs. Put them on the back wall about 2-3' above ear level and spread widely, maybe to about 1' from the side walls(or where they'd be) and facing straight forward.
