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Removing components from between the speakers

I've read many of the previous threads on this question - longer IC's vs. longer speaker cables - but what I'm writing about is what I read in Jim Smith's book "Get Better Sound" about removing ALL components and racks between the speakers and setting everything up side-stage, so to speak.

Has anyone done this? If I do, it'll necessitate longer speaker cables and a longer set of IC's from the tt to the amp.
128x128simao
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,982 posts
 
I've done it both ways over the years depending on where I was living, and I never thought that the sound of my system suffered from having the equipment between the speakers.
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
It depends on many things I would think. How high up are your components. Are they in the middle or are the speakers pulled forward of them? Dispersion patters I assume would be affected depending on your set up. i have not choice, plus I have a 50" TV on top of the small boy cabinet. I just pull the speakers about a foot forward and have had no problems with any of the systems I've installed in this room.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,198 posts
 
No advantage to having gear close to speakers. In between or otherwise.
Isolation of all components from each other is important to keep noise and
distortion minimal. That is always a key for best sound. Especially with
turntables.

my preference is to isolate gear form speakers physically as best possible
using proper speaker wires. You need heavier gauge for longer runs in
particular.
tgrisham
1,291 posts
 
I prefer to not have the electronics or rack between the speakers. I hear a wider deeper and taller soundstage. I prefer long ICs and short speaker cables. I believe in what Mr. Smith says. The exception is I use the Sumiko Master Set Method for speaker placement instead. It worked better in my room.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Ctsooner I agree it actually depends on the individual system and setup. Roxy54 my own experiences concur with yours. Some of the very best systems I've heard have followed either method, "it just depends" always seems to be the right answer.
Charles,
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