The ear integrates over a period of time. The time is variable with frequency but it has a typical value of 10 - 20 ms. The more reflections that arrive in this time period the more difficulty the ear has determining an unambiguous sound localization. Thus this first few ms. is critical to imaging and coloration of a loudspeaker. Sure the room can help, but in small rooms the lodspeaker and room must both be done correctly to get the best imaging and sound quality. Neither one alone can do it.