I don't do physical placement optimization because I can't since the system is in the living room and therefore I have ergonomic/aesthetics constraints. Otherwise I could probably get away with 3 subs instead of 4.
If you have freedom of placement maybe you want to look into Earl Geddes placement and optimization approach. Maybe you don't need MSO.
BTW, I'm not going back from 4 subs either!
Try to do a double bass array. Basically, you place the front subs such that the wavefront is kind of planar and propagate to the rear. The rear subs are positioned the same way at the rear wall. You invert the polarity of the rear sub and add a delay. If done right the rear subs should absorb most of the wavefront and you should get a near perfect LF response overall in your room. No modes at all.
Am I wrong or would this technique only work if the main speakers are on the short wall? I will be getting a second pair of Rythmik 12" sealed subs. But the co-designers of my 3-way passive speakers said that they will sound best if placed 2.5 ft from rear of the long wall, due to the dispersion geometry of this horn. https://www.athosaudio.com/2021/01/01/tad-th-4001/
My room is 20 ft long x 11 ft wide-continuing 3 ft across a hallway and into a 9 ft x 10 kitchen. Ceiling is triangular above both rooms which peaks at 11 ft and slopes down to 8 ft. Therefore, while I could place one pair of subs to the left and right of the main speakers on the long wall there is no actual or usable wall opposite that long wall for placing the second pair of subs. Therefore, how might I place the other pair to realize the the beneficial result you describe?
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