Equipment Rack Between Speakers...Good or Bad

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

I find having the speakers out further in the room typically makes more of a difference than a rack centered between the speakers.  For me I typically have the equipment rack near the wall and the speakers 3-4 ' out from the wall, but I have had to have the speaker close to the wall and have messed with a vertical rack between and then offsetting the rack on a side wall.  I didn't hear much of a difference.

I do feel removing a TV is a different story.   Placing a TV between speakers is less than ideal.  I think it is best to mount the TV on the wall and again, pull the speakers out giving them air to breath without immediate  interruption.