room layout question

[dustwvl]

I am looking for a little advice. I sit about 16 ft from the center point between my two main speakers but my speakers are only about 7.5ft apart, nowhere near the .73 ratio. I can move them farther apart but I will be moving them pretty close to the sidewalls and they will not be as proportional as they are now. Right now they are about the same distance from the tv as from the side wall. They are about 1.5 ft from the wall behind them. Is it still best to move them farther apart? I know I will probably have to experiment but I am looking for some advice to start with. I have 340's up front including the 340 center and 170's for surrounds. the room is 11.75 ft wide. SO I know I will never get to the optimum ratio of 11.5ft apart for my listening distance.

Thanks for any help.

[curtis]

The guidelines are just that, guidelines. You do what you can to get what sounds best to you.