Removing components from between the speakers

I think there is some wisdom in approaching things audiophile as an experimental question, not as conformity to a particular dogma a priori. I appreciate Jim Smiths book, but I have yet to live in a house where I can reasonably put his recommendation into practice. This may be heresy, but I think most of us will do well to consider some limited compromises to sound to accommodate room aesthetics. When I go into my listening room, it is an engaging of all the senses, yes, even smell. Sometimes I have to run my Shelty out of the room when he needs to have his teeth cleaned! I spent a lot of time addressing the visual aspect of my room, carefully selecting furnishings, artwork, and lighting that was very pleasing and comfortable. My enjoyment of the listening experience was significantly enhanced. More perhaps, than an equivalent investment in equipment upgrades. Many rooms will present limited options for placement of equipment. If that is the case, the decision is made for you. If you have options, it makes sense to invest in enough cabling so that you can evaluate the impact of placement on acoustics. One can always buy used and resell what is not needed long term. But I suggest you also evaluate placement holistically, from the point of view of which placement affords the most pleasurable total experience, not as a single variable assessment based on sonics alone.

Hi all. In typical net pattern, responses have ranged from helpful to snarky, extending to rejecting, spurious to critical. And, also in a familiar pattern, along the way my original question was blunted and redefined. But I'm quite appreciative of all the advice and opinion. To sum up:

1. It sounds like removing the components from between the speakers CAN have some positive effect on soundstage and precision.

2. It also sounds as if that effect is worthwhile only in conjunction with other diffusing, absorbing, and deflecting strategies and techniques.

3. Since I do listen to my turntable about 65% of the time, one of my reasons for inquiring about the side placement is to give the tt a more stable base than the top rack of a Salamander stand not really designed for a 70 lb turntable.

4. However, even to experiment with a new placement I'll have to buy longer speaker cables. I don't know if I want to make that investment if I'm going to be marginally, at best, happy with any sonic improvement. I could buy used and then resell, of course. Much of the fun of this hobby is trying new things.

5. Holistically, my listening room/basement doubles as a laundry room and an ersatz kid play area. Yes, I've decorated and furnished and lighted it enough to demarcate it from the rest of the area, but with its small size and low ceilings, it's definitely not ideal. And, as noted above, placement options are limited. The maker of my speakers suggested I place them along the long wall of the room, but that's impossible what with utility room and closet doors, etc.

6. I'm a music-to-color/pattern synesthete. That is, when i hear pitches and chords and notes, I see colors and patterns. Thus, very few concert light shows are ever "correct" for me :) And so when I listen to good recordings on my system, it's a sidestage visual experience alongside the mainstage aural experience. When I discovered hi-end audio, my visual side suddenly became more pronounced, more clear, more palpable. And so I make any affordable tweaks or changes I can to see what might happen. This is all drug-free, of course. Well, since 1997.

7. I think I'll keep the components where they are - and maybe move the de Capos out another 6" or so -- and play the new lp reissue of Steve Reich "Music for 18 Musicians" and be happy with music and colors.

Hello Simao,
To really satisfy your curiosity, buying used good quality speaker cable of the required length would settle this. If no meaningful improvement then reselling the cable wouldn't be difficult or cost you much. As I wrote earlier, you can achieve wonderful results with components between the speakers. I've done it as havs other posters here.
Good Luck,
Charles,

So far, I've found that shorter speaker wire definitely sound better.

Brownsfan is spot on.
Your brain controls what you hear and uses all your senses to decide what that is. Uses memory to a great extent as well which makes hearing live acoustic unamplified music critical as well.

I first got a clue when it dawned on me than when my house was cluttered and messy so was my thought process.
The brain research done in the last decade is a miracle of science.