IMV acoustic problems can be caused by near (<1 metre) objects - e.g. equipment, racks, furniture, TV, whatever - at, or in front of, the plane of the speaker baffles.
So imaging improves when the speakers are moved forward and such near objects become comfortably behind the plane of the speaker baffles. The improvement when moving the speakers forward is real but IMV the wall location is just an association rather than the main cause. Above bass frequencies, most of the energy from box speakers is thrown forward and sideways, so I look at forward and sideways areas for the main acoustic problems - as above, or for example near (<1 metre) specular first reflections from side walls.
I have my equipment rack behind the listening area, and run long interconnects. My actives are the only thing on the wall ahead. I believe soffit-mounted speakers also work fine in a similar way.
I realise the point is technical if you can't locate your stuff differently ...