Finding an AV cabinet is a nightmare

*eddemans* · 14-09-2007, 8:55 AM

Once upon a time I had no AV system to speak of. I only had my TV set, an LG DVD-player and a Creative Labs 5.1 speaker set. I had a humble Robin TV cabinet on wheels that contained all of this.

But now I've got the Sony DA1200ES receiver (17cms high) and the Kef iQ2C center speaker (16.5cms high) that give me headaches. Every cabinet that I find has compartments that are either too low for these devices OR don't have a center compartment for the center speaker.

I've seen fellow forum members who have chosen to position the center speaker out of the middle, but I don't want that.

Earlier this week I got the Lack TV cabinet (http://www.ikea.com/nl/nl/catalog/products/40105340), convinced that I had finally found what I was looking for. I put it together and found that I had blundered. IT'S TOO LOW

It's already put together so I can't take it back. I have sold it already and my search for an AV cabinet is back to square 1.

Sorry guys, but I had to vent this. There's heaps of stuff that's ridiculously expensive, heaps of stuff that's ugly and the rest doesn't seem to fit. It's maddening!

stuart07970 · 14-09-2007, 9:00 AM

du-oppli

*eddemans* · 14-09-2007, 11:39 AM

Oppli has been discontinued, in the NL at any rate

I've found pics however and it looks like a really useful thing.

Been contemplating and right now I think I will go for the following:

Cabinet will be Besta. This will fit the receiver and the DVD player. The TV, which for now is a Philips 26" CRT, goes on top.

And the center speaker will be placed on a plank above the TV.

Alanok · 14-09-2007, 12:55 PM

I was in the same position and bought two of those LACK benches and placed on on top of each other. Obviously the top part I didn't add the legs or bottom long horizontal part. The two sides of the top shelf I cut the spare long horizontal part to size, wood glued them on to the top shelf and bobs your uncle.

NedK · 14-09-2007, 2:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alanok

I was in the same position and bought two of those LACK benches and placed on on top of each other. Obviously the top part I didn't add the legs or bottom long horizontal part.

Ah, can you just build it without the legs then? I was looking at the Lack stand but it is slightly too tall; I need something that is less than 27cm high.

Oddbodd · 14-09-2007, 9:56 PM

Finding an AV cabinet is a nightmare, I have scoured the internet and the best I could come up with were custom made units but because of that they are quite expensive. They will probably be quality bits of furniture but I just can't bring myself (and can't afford!) to spend something in the region of £2000.00-£3000.00 for a cabinet!
The best one I found for my needs was this http://www.integratedcinema.co.uk/in...abinetlong.htm it's a very clever design with even the doors having vents intergrated into them.
The bad news though is I phoned them and they have stopped doing the furniture range, I think because of slow/poor sales? Another company I found was http://www.changingwood.co.uk/gallery.htm they do still make furniture to order and they have few examples of what's avaiable on their website.
I think having looked at all the options your choices come down to designing something yourself and then either find a local joiner/carpenter who can make it for a reasonable price or if that's still going to be too expensive I'm affraid it's a bit of DIY

Cheers,
Oddbodd.

Jules · 14-09-2007, 10:13 PM

See my thread here. £75 DIY job that solved all my cabinet problems.... and I have lots of big equpiment and a large centre speaker.

I've never, ever seen anything professionally made that caters properly for a decent HC set up.
DIY is the only way until the professional furniture companies wake up and realise there's actually quite a market for something simialr.

*eddemans* · 17-09-2007, 9:13 AM

Well, I've gone out and got the Bestå cabinet and the Lack bookshelf. I added the wheels of my former TV cabinet and it looks fantastic! Total cost: 57 euro's, which is 40 pounds.

The only downside is that 40cm is not deep enough for my receiver plus the cable circus at the back. I removed the back board now and this works fine. You don't see it THAT much.

I'll make some pictures later and show off the kit finally