I honestly have never heard what the recommendations are for soundbar height. I will say that my Sonos Arc is like probably a foot below my ear level, but it's due to my TV shelf having the perfect spot just for it https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N2T9BX4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and yes I have it pulled far forward so there's no blockage of the side firing speakers. It sounds great to me.
I went with a mount for my TV that screws into the VESA mount to raise the TV a couple of inches so my Arc doesn't block the bottom of the screen.
This; https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01ESPNXJW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I had a similar issue when rearranging my TV cabinet, I ended up getting THIS off Amazon to raise the TV slightly, feels sturdy enough with my 55 inch TV.
Bought a new house and used that as an excuse to upgrade my entire Home theater! I previously had 12 year old Athena B1.2 speakers and a Dayton Sub 1000.
Gear list:
LG 65" C9 OLED
HTD Level 3 Towers
HTD Level 3 Center
2 x Athena Point 5 MK II surrounds
SVS SB-2000
Walker Edison TV Stand (The only TV stand that fit the HTD center)
So far, this sounds amazing! I used 2 of the Athena speakers I had left over for surround, as those are much less important in my opinion. I may swap these out later.
I really would have rather got a SVS PB1000 or 2000, but I don't believe it would fit as the SB-2000 barely makes it. I also got the SB-2000 for $200 less than the PB-1000 so it made sense and still sounds way better than my 12 year old Dayton.
If the shelf is open, you should be fine. Something like (this)[https://www.upliftdesk.com/cpu-holder-by-uplift-desk/], for example.
But if it's a solid wood enclosure, I personally wouldn't, though it's probably still fine. Something like the middle enclosures in (this)[https://www.amazon.com/Ravenna-Home-Classic-Solid-Center/dp/B07MBFDX77].
Check out Amazon too: https://www.amazon.com/Click-Clack-Entertainment-Consoles-Assemble/dp/B08QW1Z3CN/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=click+clack+tv+console&qid=1615472478&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE2UFVFUFRUWTNGRTkmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA1ODM5MzUyRFRHTkJNRFZHQjI4JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAyODE3NzExSUZBNDNSNUtWREQ4JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ== They also have real wood cabinets too and prices are good.