Room Acoustics and Speaker Placement

@ghdprentice thank you so much for the prompt response. 

the 2 wall art hanging behind the speakers are acoustic panels. Are you recommending adding more? 
 

the glass above the speaker is a little window of sorts because the living room doesn’t get any direct sun light.  Not ideal for music but I don’t have much of a choice.

when you say move the rack next to the TV, any reasons for it? Also, would it help if I moved it to the side instead of between the speakers? The reason I’m asking is that I have an 18 month old toddler at home. And hence the cage in front of the system. 
 

I may be able to get away with a bass trap so long as it’s shorter than the speaker height. Will be sort of hidden in the corner next the right speaker. I don’t feel the bass is boomy, what exactly will a bass trap do? 

Also. I sit on the lengthy part of the couch for now. Plan is to move it to the other side and put another chair right in front of the speaker creating that L shaped sofa. If that makes sense? Let’s just say the sitting position will likely be where the long leg of the couch is at the moment. Once I get the chair, I should be able to move it forward or backward while listening to crest that triangle 

OP,

Thanks for the feedback. The glass above the system looked like mirrors at an angle. I get it now. 

You would move the rack  to prevent it from interfering with the imaging. You could cage the rack over to the side, like you have the whole system now. Then just protect each speaker. 

Once this is done and you are able to sit at the apex of a roughly equilateral triangle with the speakers (you can just move a chair there when you listen). You will want to dial in the speakers. I think you can move the left speaker a bit further out since there is no adjacent side wall... Actually what is the speaker to speaker distance? I can’t tell. You would want 6’ to 7’... but it can be smaller... it determines where the listener position it. 

You will want to slowly vary the toe in on the speakers between beams crossed behind your head and straight out. Take your time. I typically try one extreme and then the other, very slowly converging on the one with the best central image and widest sound stage. You can work on this for a week... Drop it and work on other things... pick it up again next year. Over time you will learn the sound of your system and optimize the toe in. 

You can determine how effective acoustic panels are by simulating them. I have used couch cushions (wrap in heavy blankets if they are leather), pillows and rolled up blankets... anything like that. The height of the imaging will be determined by the acoustic treatments. The treatments that you have only do not extend to the floor. So they will restrict the imagine height. Look at my main system, notice the pillows along the floor. The soundstage on my system goes from outside the speakers, above the speakers and into the wall. 

@ghdprentice Wow, your system and room both look incredible. Must be a treat to listen to music!

The speakers are roughly 5 feet apart. I can spread them out a bit but the right side speaker is 2 feet from the side wall.  Will it be ok if its 1 or 1.5 feet instead?  This way I can get closer to that 6-7 feet gap between the speakers.  

As for the rack, I can move them to the right of the right speaker, somewhere between the speaker and to the left of the TV.  Will that help or should the rack go right below the TV center? Either way, i would need longer speaker cable. They're a 6 feet pair, so won't reach the left speaker once I move the rack.  Is it ok to get 1 longer cable or do they both have to the same lenght? If anything, the right speaker will be much closer to the rack and amp, even the current 6 feet length will be an overkill.  

Hey, thanks again for taking the time help. I really appreciate your help and guidance!

Ultimately, you have to try stuff. I would keep the two feet on the right to start with. Looks like you can gain nearly a foot on the left. Since there is not a wall close to the left speaker you have more space there. 6 feet apart would be a good sized triangle. You can try more later. 

As far as the rack goes. In part it depends on the volume you listen. But I would try to move it as far away as possible so the speakers are not shaking the rack... I would try up to, but not under the TV. Good starting point. I am sure your wife doesn’t want this looking too weird. 

Best practice... is to put the amp on the floor and split the system at the preamp. But, this is the kind of refinement you can work towards year from now. Yes, speaker cables should be the same length. We have all struggled with this. Frustrating, but a really good habit to bite the bullet and get the same length. 

I’d recommend Robert Harleys, The Complete Guide to High End Audio. As if you would have time for reading with a toddler. I am sure you are lucky if you get a half hour to listen to music. 

Also, it would be helpful to know your equipment. You can put that a Virtual System... so you don't have to repeat it. Knowing the exact components can be very helpful in making recommendations. 

Have fun, take your time. 

You’re welcome to PM me if you want to continue any of this in private. Your call. I’m good either way.