Speaker positioning: why do audiophiles neglect this so much?

Back to my main point: why obsess about equipment when what is currently in use is operating at, say, 60% of it's potential?

What does it matter what if a new cable, cartridge, preamp or speaker can bring another 5 - 10% improvement in sound, when the existing equipment is sailing at half mast?

It's as much about set up as the gear IMO.

I agree with the comment about reviewers, BTW.  Fremer is a classic case, giant speakers stuffed into a small listening space.  He claims it sounds good.  Really?  Bet it would all sound much better in an optimized space.

I neglect nothing.

Speakers position and listener position is only HALF of the story...Sorry...

And it is a common place fact in acoustic circle if not in audiophile thread....

And yes most people think the gear is the main important factor which is erroneous...

The passive material treatment and especially the mechanical acoustic control is the more important half...Why more important?

Because the first half is well known, the speaker/listener position; the other half is not even explained in audio threads : Room acoustic mechanical control with Helmholtz method about resonators and diffusers ....

And this part ONLY can compensate and  can use for the better the specific difficult geometry, topology and acoustic material content of most small rooms ( carpet, fabric cloth pieces, furniture,books,mirror etc); the relation between speakers and listener position CANNOT solve by itself all these acoustic problems..

I never wrote a book but i was able to do my small room right... BUT It takes me 2 years non stop to figure it out , i am retired.... And now i know how to do the listening experiments and which devices can be useful ... And yes it is complex... But yes it may cost peanuts.... 😁😊

And it was the most fun experience in my life on par with cycling and walking and dreaming and reading....

Upgrading one piece of gear after the other is not audiophile experience, it is obsession maintained by ignorance of acoustic, sorry....

It would be nice if your posts would stop generalizing about the ignorance and ineptness of most other audiophiles. Just a thought for you today. Enjoy your music and I do find your tweaks and builds most interesting.