The criticality of speaker placement still applies with Phantom

[ogs]

I found that a pair of Phantom sounded far better pulled away from the wall at least a few feet. I'd love to mount Phantom on the wall (Geko bracket) but don't think that the Phantom avoids the need for proper positioning. The Kii Three works harder on that but I've not yet heard them so don't know how well they work.

You are right. In this regard Phantoms behave like normal speakers and you'll have to optimize placement in a room for best possible sound. The Kii Three uses special DSP manipulation of it's output to control rear sound and prevent (reduce) reflection from the wall behind and sides of the speakers. I've heard Phantoms in unfamiliar conditions. Very nice indeed. I've yet to hear a pair of Kii Three.