Just discovered your thread. Very interesting to hear about your journey and see the various permutations!
Enjoying your thoughts on subwoofers as that is something I am investigating now.
I note that many times you have been discouraged by the lack of responses. Don't be discouraged there are just so many different threads and posts on the site that it's easy to miss some, even the really good ones!
I know, I know, it looks hokey, but “tossing” the GIK panels in like this really did improve the sound. The right channel is no longer dominant, midrange clarity is back without that “honky” boxed-in sound, and bass is cleaner, tighter and puncher with better definition. Soundstage has drastically improved (widened) and center image is near perfect.
The system is still in the test and tune stage, but I think I'll live with this for a bit and see how it goes before actually mounting the panels.
Just kind of set up the second system this past weekend. Nothing is connected yet but will be shortly. It'll be interesting to hear how the 901 Series Vs are going to sound in this large, open space. And as before, I will not be using the stock Bose EQ, but the dbx DriveRack Venu360 instead.