I have read quite a bit psychoacoustic research about room acoustics, reflections etc and how it affects our perception. But one thing is striking: There seems to be quite a bit of research about lateral reflections, and also some research on vertical reflections. But I struggle to find any good studies on the effect of front and back reflections - that is, reflections which either come from the front, the same direction as the direct sound, and reflections which come from the back, behind the listener. There seems to be some informal consensus among acousticians and researchers that the reflections that are the least beneficial are reflections from the front, but I haven't been able to find out what studies this view is based on.
This is especially relevant for those of us who have a liking for dipole- and omni-speakers, which by necessity leads to more reflections from the front.
This is especially relevant for those of us who have a liking for dipole- and omni-speakers, which by necessity leads to more reflections from the front.