How to pick the best area for your two-channel listening room?-Acoustics Forum-Acoustic Fields Forum

I have a L shaped room in the basement that I was to devote part of it to a dedicated listening room . Unfortunately, there is no perfect place for this setup. I moved by JTR tower speakers, Cambridge Audio EVO 150, and Oppo for CD player to three different listening positions today.
1. Started with one section that is 8′ wide by 14’7″. My worry about this area is that I do not have a great amount of width, and the right speaker is open to other sections of the room. Also, the ceiling has two different heights, half is 7’10” and the other half is 6’10”. Wonder if that is an issue.
2. Moved them to the largest area, which is 12’8″ wide by 21′. Pulled the speakers 1′ from wall and placed them 8′ apart. Sat in chair 9′ from speakers, leaving 8′ behind me to the back wall. This is the only position that I have to place the speakers equal distance from the walls. This was the worst sound of the three.
3. Last, I moved the speakers along the length of the room, but could only use 15’4″ of wall because there are closet doors to the right in the wall. I placed the speakers 10′ apart, 1′ from left wall, and unfortunately no wall, so the right speaker was 6′ to the right wall. I pulled them 9″ from the back wall. Sat 8′ from each speaker. This I thought was the best sound. However, I know people feel you need to pull your speakers further out from the wall. If I do that I will end up 3′-4′ from the speakers.
Wish I could upload the drawing / dimensions. Any thoughts?