Speaker positioning: why do audiophiles neglect this so much?

Then why are so many systems poorly set up?

As an example: why is most equipment (racks, cabinets, etc) situated between the speakers?  Classic number one no no according to Smith.

Back to my main point: why obsess about equipment when what is currently in use is operating at, say, 60% of it's potential?

What does it matter what if a new cable, cartridge, preamp or speaker can bring another 5 - 10% improvement in sound, when the existing equipment is sailing at half mast?

It's as much about set up as the gear IMO.

I agree with the comment about reviewers, BTW.  Fremer is a classic case, giant speakers stuffed into a small listening space.  He claims it sounds good.  Really?  Bet it would all sound much better in an optimized space.

Rough crowd here.  Guess I touched a nerve!

Of course one cannot tell how a system sounds by viewing photo's.  What one CAN see, however, is that many such systems are FAR from optimized within a space.

Some basics:

Don't place the speakers too near any wall (except the few that are DESIGNED to work specifically THAT way - very few are).

Don't place the primary listening position near a wall.

Don't place the bulk of the equipment between the speakers (amplifiers sitting on floor stands excepted).

Avoid corner placement of any equipment.

Avoid over driving a room (giant speakers in a small room).

Don't place speakers and listening position at opposite extremes within a room (thus maximizing the sonic signature and associated reflections of the space itself).

These are just a few basics Jim Smith and other knowledgeable people have espoused.

Yet the focus remains 90% on the equipment, despite the dominant effects of the above issues.  Not addressing these issues hurts no one.  It just limits the sonic potential of the equipment, like putting a 60 mph limiter on a Porsche turbo.

Someone asked for some basics from Jim Smith:

First, determine the optimum listening position in the room by determining where bass response is best (most even, not at a null).  Instrumentation can help here.

Next, relative to the listening spot, find the optimum speaker placement.  Start at the 83%rule mentioned above, as a starting point.  Adjust from there.  Many fine adjustments over time are necessary for best results.

Treat first reflection points.

Lastly, a blend of absorption and diffraction is best ( ratio of 1:2 respectively - more diffraction).

All other things equal, avoid equipment between speakers.  If unavoidable, place it low to floor and behind speakers.

Before spending on better equipment, try the above methods to improve performance of what gear is already there.

Harder to do than say, admittedly.