If you think a Quickie is fun to tinker with... Try open baffle speakers haha. Boxy isn't a word I've used in a while... And I always get comments on the curtains... They came with the joint. They divide the room from three large alcoves about 10ft deep, so in a way, the speakers are in the middle of the room, front to back in a way (if that makes sense).
I've used various baffle designs. Currently they are arranged in an MTM fashion with an 18" tall winged baffle in between the woofers that can tune the full range drivers somewhat... They're about 5.5ft tall... Take up less floor space, but totally DOMINATE the room visually.