How do I "compromise" speaker placement


When a flat response is not possible, how does one place speakers?
I would imagine that every time a freq gets flattened another peak/dip gets introduced in another freq?
So how does one "compromise" with the placements?
Do I simply use the flattest response?
Or perhaps, certain frequencies are more significant than others? Meaning, even if one placement introduces less dips (or peaks) across all frequencies, there might be more dips introduced in the bass area. Or the human voice range?

I have a very small room: 18' x 11'2" x 8'. I am having a professional take readings at 8 possible placements. I'm not sure what to do once I get the response graphs.
captaincapitalism
Very cool room BTW.
Thanks.
But from what I can tell from your picts.
Old pics. Sorry. The actual room is the same, but I did many tweaks over the years. A professional once cam and moved the speakers by ears. I also bought a BIG 2 seater HT seat. I put curtains to block off the bay window amongst many other tweaks. I also have an EQ.

I will have around 8 possible response graphs for every speaker based on different placements.

My current plan in order of priority:
1) The placement that has the least BIG peaks.
2) The placement that has the least BIG dips.
3) Flattest Bass Response
Actually your room is not quite that small. A bit narrow but otherwise I'd consider this a smaller mid-size room.
I only have 8' usable width. I have fire place on 1 side and bookshelves on the other. I also have cabinets in the fron and back of the room. So even though the room might no be so small, usable space is.
Finally use a PEQ or TACT or PARC to fix the worst of the room modes
I decided on the Audyssey EQ after auditioning for some time. I auditioned 2 other EQ's.

Rule of thumb - speakers placed well out into the room will excite less room modes. Keep away from side walls (at least three feet).
Not possible. 3 feet off the wall in a 11’2” width will have the mains less than 4 feet apart. The speakers are about a foot in width.
Most people think that you can measure your way to the best placement, but it doesn't work. See the following thread for something that actually works:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?rspkr&1197744079&openmine&zzDcstep&4&5#Dcstep
Not possible. 3 feet off the wall in a 11’2” width will have the mains less than 4 feet apart. The speakers are about a foot in width.

Well just do the best you can in terms of distance from side walls and also toe them inwards to reduce the magnitude of side wall reflections (effective once you get past about 40 degrees).