Armoire between speakers

I used to think you had to have that middle "free space" but I found it all depends on what type of speakers you use...I have the "fireplace in the middle" issue and having moved my current speakers (Silverline Preludes) all over the room I finally realized they're fine about 8 inches from the sides of the fireplace and protruding straight 4 or 5 inches out in front of it...nearly 2 feet from the front wall. Any reflections are completely a non issue, imaging is excellent, etc...I have a little REL sub behind one of the speakers taking full use of the bass reinforcement of the small corner. Plus, I can look at the propane fake fire while I listen. The listening sweet spot is on a couch 3 feet or so from the back wall and about 9 feet from the speaker baffles.

Too highly reflective. Get rid of it, then you can place speakers correctly. I am always struck on how people will comprise their sound with other furnishings in the listening room.

... I am always struck on how people will comprise their sound with other furnishings in the listening room ...

It is often unavoidable, unless you are only sharing your living space with plants.

Rich

I have a large, tall aquarium in between my speakers and it sounds fantastic as long as the fronts of the speakers are pulled out least 12" in front of the tank. This has been my setup for over 35 years in 10 different homes (and one tolerant wife for 32 of those years) and the fish have never seemed to mind. Over the years I have become an expert at keeping the tank quiet so that it doesn't distract from the music. Visitors are stunned by the center image and overall soundstage width and depth but like most people they have never heard a fine system before. If you have the space experiment with getting your speakers out in front of the armoire.

There was a thread the other day about enjoying music vs hifi equipment and I posted that I enjoyed both simultaneously as hobbies. With the tank I guess I have to modify that to enjoying three at once.

Congrats on the 32 years with the tolerant one. My wife and I would call you rookies.
Merry Christmas,
Bill