Well there is theoretical ideal set-up, and then there is real world set-ups. Ideally you place amp only between speakers allowing short speaker cables and run long ICs back to rack along side walls, balanced ICs being ideal.
This is not so much because of sound wave effect on gear which will happen anywhere in room, but for soundstage/imaging enhancement which is improved with no obstructions between speakers. Also psychologically stage
seems deeper/wider with no obstructions especially if you use spot lighting to enhance the illusion.
Now in reality not many audiophiles do this because you almost never see 15-20ft ICs for sale here wich would be needed for ideal set-up. I would guess close to 90-95%
of audiophile systems have rack between speakers.
Also if you pull speakers out 5ft or more from speaker wall
rack effect has less negative impact on soundstage when placed between speakers.
This is not so much because of sound wave effect on gear which will happen anywhere in room, but for soundstage/imaging enhancement which is improved with no obstructions between speakers. Also psychologically stage
seems deeper/wider with no obstructions especially if you use spot lighting to enhance the illusion.
Now in reality not many audiophiles do this because you almost never see 15-20ft ICs for sale here wich would be needed for ideal set-up. I would guess close to 90-95%
of audiophile systems have rack between speakers.
Also if you pull speakers out 5ft or more from speaker wall
rack effect has less negative impact on soundstage when placed between speakers.