Equipment Rack Placement

The only sure way to know is to try it and see, but as a rule the space between the speakers (both at the plane of the speakers and to the rear) should be free of obstructions. A few pieces of equipment, especially if positioned low to the floor, shouldn't be a problem, but a large rack is problematic. That's the general rule, but give it a try and see.

Conventional wisdom is amp between speakers with long ICs going to rack on side wall. But if you look at pictures of high end audio shows of room set-ups many have rack between speakers wich are moved far out into room. My set-up is rack between spaekers which are pulled out 5ft from wall, speakers are 6ft center to center, seating position 7ft from face of speakers forming near field set-up. I feel if speakers are pulled out at least 5ft from wall, effect of rack in the center is minimized, all cables are kept short, plus you get to see your beautiful equipment, Sam

highend audio shows are not exemplars for equipment placement. having helped in the setup and teardown of rooms at ces and stereophile shows, i can tell you that you must frequently use your space for display as much or more so than for optimum sound quality. when i took the equipment rack from betweem my speakers a few months ago and treated the back wall where it had stood with asc wall panels, i experienced an improvement in soundstage depth and width nearly as great as upgrading the speakers themselves. (i now have only my amp behind and between the speakers--i use 6 ft. cables and 21 ft. ic between amp and pre). it costs some for this setup but its well worth it.