>> When you are talking about sounds with long wavelengths, all the subject hears is reflections and reverberations if they are standing or sitting too close to the loudspeaker. <<

Yes! This is what "corner" loading is all about. But because the walls of the corner are relatively close to the sub, there still isn't much delay between the initial signal, and at least the 1st reflections. Especially considered wrt to the wavelengths involved.

>> You may play a ruler flat line, but what you're hearing is grossly time-smeared... <<

Yes, but this is why I adjust phase *after* setting up the eq. To regain time alignment.

Plus, I'm only attenuating the single peak by about 5 dB. Not a humungous amount, all things considered.

>> If you draw a circle around the LP so that every point on that circle is equidistant to the LP with the mains ... <<

"LP" stands for ... ??