Equipment Rack Between Speakers...Good or Bad

Not sure about the acoustics as I’ve never had my rack in between my speakers.  But my buddy just had a larger, taller rack made for his equipment which sits behind and between his speakers.  The rack is very nice looking, but even so for me it slightly disturbs the aesthetics of the listening experience.  In my home my source equipment is in another room from my speakers, and I’m used to experiencing the imaging/soundstagong  sensation of musicians playing in a shape-shifting venue between and behind my speakers.

This is somewhat thwarted at my friend’s place by staring at a large wall of equipment and lights sitting in between the speakers.  It was a better listening experience when he had his much shorter rack between his speakers.

But that’s a subjective impression.  I know lots of us audiophiles are gear heads who really like to stare at all their equipment when listening to music.

It’s well known, that anything in the triangle of your speakers and listening position is not good.  As many have said here, a lot depends on your source as well.  Having a vinyl set up between your speakers is the second worse place you can locate it.  In back of your speakers against the back wall is the worst.  I have found for vinyl, the best set up is either to the left or right, between your listening position and your speakers, at least for me, seems to be the best.  I struggled for years finding the best place for subs and speaker positions.  For twenty years, I was pure analog, concerning my TT, but recently incorporated a Venue 360 and instead of trying to figure out what I can do to make the sound more cohesive, I now spend my time enjoying the music.  I have also said before, your room is just like an additional component.  Proper room treatment can not be over stressed.

My friend has an old 27" tube TV 2’ behind between his two way stand mounted monitors. His room is a mess. However, the sound is exquisite. Superb imaging and sound from his custom built tube system (he is a cable manufacturer).

I am happy to know that the floor support is more important.  My floors are 3000 psi, 12" thick, 1/2" rebar reinforced poured concrete.

As to my system location, I have found that analog; in particular, is negatively impacted (as is anything) that I place between my speakers. I had to put my dual metal stands on one side wall, several feet in front of the left speaker. The stands are welded with a 50/50 shot/sand mix and when struck, sound dead (without the fill, they have a ring to them). The VPI VI is mounted on a 1 3/8" HDF platform resting on a Townsend Sink. Behind the stands are a pair of Acoustic Fields large 3" deep absorption panels, so nothing bounces off the cherry plywood walls. There are SR HFTs at the mid-point between the seat and speakers. I can’t do any better with this room but definitely, the side location works compared to the behind the speakers location.

Never a good thing it will kill your center image. I’ve been through hell and back trying to solve this same issue without spending thousands on longer cables to position the rack to the side. I’ve found by using a low profile rack can help, but not 100 percent solve the issue.

+1  Prof