In my last post, I stated that in my setup the audible effect of placing a trap centered on a line between the two speakers was virtually nil. Well, I was flat-out wrong.
I've since given that placement another listening go, putting a three-foot-tall 11" trap, absorptive center facing the listener, at the dead-center position on the fireplace base, which rises 11" above the floor. Schematically, it looks like this:
My hearing acuity was obviously off earlier, influenced too much, perhaps, by the Avalon trade show experience related by Michael Adams. Whatever the reason, it's now clear (no pun intended) that,
in this setup, that center trap improves overall focus, the sense of stage presence, and bass solidity. It stays. And now I'll shut my, uh, trap.