Loudspeakers and rooms act as a combined system that cannot be judged separately

Evidence

The reflected sounds are radiated from loudspeakers at large angles away from the on-axis direct sound, and because of that they are different in level and frequency response. What we hear, therefore cannot be anticipated by looking only at the loudspeaker or looking only at the room. The loudspeakers and room function as a system—together. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 471