Center placed equipment stands

https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/7605

I am planning on adding some bigger speakers to the room shown in the above URL. I have a 1 foot deep and 72" long oak bookshelf, which is visible in one of the photos of the interior of my closet.

I was wondering if the bookshelf were moved to in-between the speakers would I get some sonic benefit, such as less reflection of sound waves from the absorption of the books? If I do that I can then put a low audio rack in the closet.

I know I can try this myself by moving the furniture but it would take me a long time to take down my desk and then move everything around. So I guess I am asking for a theoretical opinion on such an arrangement.

I have a 9 foot high chimney breast between my speakers. And one speaker is closer to it than the other. Real world room problems. 

In addition to no rack or a low rack between speakers, don't stare at anything. Close your eyes and LISTEN. Music always sounds better with eyes closed.

My speakers are 6' from the front wall which is populated by tall equipment racks and CD storage. If you've got the space to move your speakers out into the room the racks will act as live end diffusers. As I experimented with speaker placement I found that it got better and better the further I moved the speakers into the room. Fortunately I've got a big room (35' x 22') so this is possible.

I had a similar experience. My stands are 13 inches high. I was doing some housekeeping recently and had occasion to place a cardboard carton of LPs on the floor between my floor standers immediately in front of the electronics stands. The improvement in soundstage and detail was obvious and immediate. Strikes me it was the equivalent of placing electronics closer to the floor. Mysteries of acoustics. My wife won’t let me keep the box there, but I’m going to experiment some on the basis of the improvement I heard.