Speaker positioning: why do audiophiles neglect this so much?

Speaker placement, listener position, and room acoustics ... they might have the highest impact, but they are the least 'sexy'.

Two sets of shiny speaker pods look much flashier than a 4 inch translation and a 3 degree toe in.

My wife thinks my listening room should be decorated like a living room, so the speakers are typically unceremoniously crammed into the corners where they're less obtrusive.  Every once in a while we let them out to play.  

@bobbydd 

So you can determine bad set ups by looking at photos eh?

A lucrative career awaits you as a remote system designer, undercutting all the others who need to listen in the room.  You could also set up as the equipment reviewer who decides by looking at photos of the kit.

I am at a loss to understand why you believe this, except possibly that you are deaf?

My system is not set up optimally, I'll admit. It is a compromise called a marriage. Yes, I have a low boy credenza between my speakers, and a 50 inch flat screen TV sitting atop. To me, my system sounds pretty darn good. The best that it can possibly sound? I doubt it. However, I have taken the time to properly set up the speakers, toe in, height, proximity to rear wall, listening position, some diy acoustical treatments, a mix of hard and soft surfaces/ furnishings, etc etc.....I've done the best I can possibly do in my current situation and room. I'm pretty well content.

I tried the ’nothing between the speakers trick’ and it works. I mean, it really does amazing things. I can’t do that in my current home. But I know what I’m missing out on.

But I try little things...every few weeks to get a little closer to what I had. I’ve managed to improve the sound quite a bit but not quite there yet. Next step is to actually try something novel. Which is what I did in my last home. I hit a wall (no pun intended) with speaker placement and room treatment and decided to take a big chance.

The difference then, was I was not married, lol. I could just do what I wanted. But I’m at the point where I know there is better sound in this room. I just need to find it.

In my case, I know what I’m missing. AND my current system cost is double what it was in my last home! That’s what’s so painful. Listening position, speaker position AND the room.