...unless they are what was originally termed "bookshelf" speakers which WERE/ARE designed to be put in bookcases which increased the bass performance. For better or worse, bookshelf now typically refers to speakers that require stands as opposed to floor standing.
Most of us do not have the luxury of sufficient space to have components laid out horizontally. In my system, I actually have a 6' tall Salamander rack located between my CLXes. The side panels and doors are perf metal inserts which mimic the perforations of the stat panels. One mod I made was to replace the OEM MDF shelves with shelves cut from bamboo plywood stained black to match to absorb vibration. Speakers and rack are black presenting 3 large "monoliths" when system is viewed...shades of "2001..."
