Help Total Confusion

I have a rack between my speakers also and I have excellent centerfill. The trick is not to let the rack break the vertical plane between the speakers. Move your speakers out from the wall and keep your rack as close to the wall as possible. If you continue to have a hole-in-the-middle then I would further develop your front end and upgrade your cabling.

I have my equipment between my speakers, set back about 2 feet, and I have put a DIY Argent room lens, centered between the speakers, just a few inches in front of the equipment, as Elgordo says, and my soundstage and image focus is awesome. I also have room lenses flanking the outside of each speaker, and one behind the listening chair.

I have a 57" widescreen TV in the middle of my speakers. My speakers are about 2 feet closer to me than my TV. When I completely cover up my TV with a large sheet of duct board, which is made of 1 inch thick fiberglass, my soundstage becomes more transparent / open. There is definitely alot of audio energy coming off the back and sides of speakers. So, the audio rack or TV in the center of the speakers reflects alot of sound.

As others have said, you can make this work fine. Move your speakers out as much as you can. If you lack center fill they're either too far apart or you might try a bit more toe-in. Try pointing in until the center image is solid with a full-width stage.

When you say "between the speakers" do you mean it literally, as "actually between the speakers" or somewhat behind the plane of the speakers? While I cannot say that tremendous improvement has occurred, I did change my rather large rack 50"tall X 22"wide X 19"deep)for something that is not as deep (15")and not as high (32"). This resides along the front wall. Since the speakers are 44" from that wall, I am confident that the sound is not adversely affected. I think that the whole vibration thing is bogus. No valid proof exists that ss or even tubes, which are more microphonic, are affected by vibration. TTs are another story altogether. I do feel, however, that having any kind of furniture around the speakers and between speakers and listener affects the acoustics and should be avoided. Other than that, I wouldn't lose any sleep over these questions. Keep it as far from the speakers, as low and as narrow as you can insofar as furniture, racks etc. are concerned and enjoy the music. Good day.