A reader includes top and bottom reader stacks disposed between a top and bottom shield. The top and bottom reader stacks are offset relative to each other in a downtrack direction. Top side shields surround the top reader stack in a crosstrack direction, and bottom side shields surround the bottom reader stack in the crosstrack direction. A split middle shield is between the top and bottom reader stacks and the top and bottom side shields. The split middle shield includes top and bottom portions separated by an isolation layer, the top and bottom portions respectively coupled to the top and bottom reader stacks.