LMAO
Now that's rich, HENRY.
First, when I buy into a "system" I believe in the system I am buying. If it is NOLA, Wilson, Magico, Avalon or Gobel and I enjoy and believe in what THEY created, I like to reproduce, as close as possible, what I have evaluated. That does not mean I am not open to trial and error BUT for example, my current Gobel was voiced/sounded/tested with Gobel cables and CH Precision in Oliver's anechoic test room, which he (and others spend countless hours building their wares). I understand that my room is NOT their room BUT I can guarantee you that, despite your perspective, they aren't purposely introducing a reflective surface like a coffee table into their design process; LMAO
Second, I am not dogmatic. I have said over and over, if one wants their "experience" to include a high back recliner, coffee table, etc so be it. The enjoyment factor is a summation of the parts, whether it enhances or detracts from the overall SQ. Someone elsewhere brought up the fact that "they multitask" when listening; the point being is that despite one's desire for the "absolute sound" things like reading, working on a computer, etc, when listening is just as invasive to the SQ as any other aspect and again, that doesn't mean it is wrong, as the overall experience to the enduser is all that matters.
The point being, MR. RIDICULOUS, is that like your cables, turntable, DAC, cartridge, your floor, your wall coverings, your ceiling heights, ETC. some of which you diligently and at great expense choose and claim makes large differences in SQ and some of which you have no choice given the hand you are dealt with given your listening environment IT ALL makes a difference. Purposely placing a coffee table into the listening environment DOES make a difference just a high back recliner. It's up to each individual who is spending their money and looking for their solution what they want to do; not my issue and I'm not being dogmatic telling others not to do it.
Just don't tell me, when everyone on these threads espouses the benefit of grounding boxes, cable, etc that they all claim make a big difference (just like you are claiming all the things you list make a difference) that placing a reflective surface in the middle of the soundfield makes no difference.
Just to hammer the point home, the ONE thing I know these designers don't do is place a coffee table in the middle of the soundfield when designing.
I have a very nice life, thank you.