+1 @bigtwin You can have your equipment between the speakers, but should avoid placing reflective surfaces (eg., equipment racks with glass doors, TVs, etc.). Equipment should not be stacked up and should be distributed at lower heights say less than 4 ft. Sound stage imaging, depth, etc., are an audio illusion generated inside our brain based on sound largely coming from the speakers and to a lesser degree sound reflected from front wall, floor, roof, side walls, and yes from any reflective surfaces from equipment rack. By moving your equipment rack to the side will not completely eliminate the problem since any sound reflecting from that surface still contributes to the overall presentation. I used to have my TV in between the main speakers, but I always covered the TV with a black cloth to minimize reflections.
Location of compoments.
Hello,
I'm reading Jim Smith's book "Get Better Sound". He notes that, if possible, do not locate your audio rack between the speakers, better off to one side. I would guess over 50% of audiophiles have their equipment exactly where he says it should not be placed. Needless to say, I would need 20' long speaker cables to reach the farthest speaker. Not very cost-effective or practical.
Any thoughts? Do most have their electronics between the speakers?