2. misc-audio
  3. 1402696139

Not putting rack between speakers?

Hi everyone,

I'm in the market for new rack, and I've read in several places that it's best not to place your rack between your speakers. This makes sense to me, and the reflections off the rack and equipment would negatively affect the soundstage. Unfortunately, in my listening room it's not possible to place the equipment along a side wall, so I was thinking of purchasing two amp stands (one for my integrated and one for my CD/SACD player) to keep the profile low and minimize any soundstage degradation. This set up would also make it much easier to switch out cable, clean contacts, etc. Is there any downside to this? Does this seem like a reasonable solution? Anyone out there had good success with getting the rack out from between the speakers?

Thanks so much!
Scott
smrex13
polk432
1,116 posts
 
I have a 5.0 and 2.0 Salamander that I'm not using right now and they are very open. I use a semi suspended pARTicular Novus rack now and have the system in the middle but the backs of the speakers are a bit in front of the rack and it makes no difference than when I had the rack offset.
samhar
1,034 posts
 
I like your solution, a little bit of a hassle but better than any multi level rack. Placing everything below the tweeters and the mids will definitely give a better sound stage and possibly a sound you like better, very system dependent. The lower everything in my system became the better everything sounded to me.
smrex13 OP
423 posts
 
I already have my CD player on the bottom shelf, so having it on an amp stand won't be any different. Since I'm really only working off an integrated and a CD/SACD player, I shouldn't need more than two amp stands. Now, just need to decide on a good amp stand that is well isolatedÂ….

Thanks for your input everyone, and have a great Fathers' Day!

Scott
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Sometimes you must, but then you can put an 'acoustic screen' in front of the rack, between the speakers. I use a Furtech Room Diffuser. Most people are surprised by the amount of acoustic energy that flies around the room when your speakers are playing. This energy hits all the components to one degree or another, no matter where the rack is placed. All surfaces are affected, whether in the front, back or sides. To get an idea of what the impact is on your rig, try placing all the components outside the room it self. While not practical on an ongoing basis it will tell you what is going on acoustically.
More to discover