Has anyone seen a Blok 3000 in the flesh?

[deckingman]

Hi,

I need an AV cabinet and the Blok 3000 is the only one which "ticks all the boxes" unless I get something custom made. Trouble is, although I can buy one on-line I can't get to see one in the flesh. As it's 800 quid, I'd like to know what the build quality and finish is like before parting with my hard earned cash. Does anyone have any comments to make?

Many thanks.

[furs307c]

Havent seen that particular unit, but if its the same quality as their other stuff then you should be fine

[deckingman]

Thanks for that. Anyone else actually seen one?

[greeze]

I've seen one and have one on order (in walnut with glass-fronted doors) . I had a good look at it in the shop (Hughes TV & Audio - Lowestoft) and was very impressed with the build quality . A well-built, solid piece of furniture delivered fully assembled too (none of this flat-pack stuff!)

It's expensive sure, but the good stuff always is (£725.00 delivered from Hughes. Good price!)

Get it, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[deckingman]

Great stuff. Many thanks indeed. That is a good price. Best I've come accross is £799.

[greeze]

A bit of a development with this; the cabinet is going to be delayed until the end of June ! This is due to Blok having a shortage of materials from one of their suppliers.

I've still got the order placed but have had to get an 'orrible cheapy stand from Argos so I can set all my gear up.

I've searched around on the net but have been unable to find any shops with actual stock (they all seem to order direct from Blok and not keep anything in stock themselves)

[jameslindsey]

I was going for the Blok, but felt it was a bit too woody. I bought the stands unique ultimate cabinet instead which I feel has a bit more style about it and roughly the same price. You lose the drawer but the centre speaker section is a little cleverer. Build qulaity is superb, it's a very heavy beast. I also managed to source some casters which I feel is important if you cant get round the back as otherwise you'll need to dismantle everything to move it or plug stuff in.

[greeze]

I did have a look at the Stands Unique AV10 Cabinet. Infact it was my first choice until I realised that my amp wouldn't fit properly (cabinet lacks sufficent depth). Also, my 50" Pioneer would 'overhang' the cabinet; a look that I, personally, dislike.

Lovely piece of furniture though and I love the idea of the child-proofing kit (would be handy ).

I'm just gonna have to bite the bullet and wait for my Blok to be delivered...

[deckingman]

Interesting about having to wait - good job I'm not in a hurry. Checked out the Stands Unique, both the Ultimate and AV10. Unfortunatley, both too small and I need to hide the electronics when not in use so I need solid doors. Thanks anyway.

[jameslindsey]

Supprised the ultimate high is too small. Unless you've got loads of kit.

My amp is very large and just fits I was also worried about the speaker which is exactly 50cm tall. Without the door option components could be a couple of inches bigger. Happy to get a tape measure out if there is any dimension you want me to check.

[deckingman]

Hi,

It's a width and "hiding away" thing. Complicated but has to be low and wide (also, everything has to be hidden when not in use). With the Blok, I can have the centre on it's side, behind the grill with components either side and either black (not tinted) glass or solid doors.

Thanks for the offer of the tape measure but the Blok is the only one that ticks all the boxes. Or maybe custom made, which I am also considering.

[jameslindsey]

No probs.

Not as nice looking as the Blok but the Ikea Besta shelving can be configured to be as good as the blok and about a quarter of the price. you can choose door types etc. That was my fallback plan if the SU didn't work out. Their www site has a shelving builder thing that might sort you out.

[deckingman]

Hi again,

Yes, I've looked at Ikea - don't think there's anything I haven't looked at . Have to say, I'm a fan. Their stuff is really sturdy and good quality finish. Excellent value for money in my opinion.

On the other hand, I'm about to spend a shed load of money on speakers and AV gear. The furniture is also part of the same "package". I'd rather not "spoil the ship for a halpennyworth of tar". So, I think it is going to still be Blok or custom made.

Many thanks for taking the time. I appreciate your efforts.

[greeze]

At the danger of hijacking your thread deckingman, I just wanted to update you on the Blok situation and my current 'workaround'.

Blok are apparently waiting for glass and fittings from one of their suppliers, hence the delay (I was told of this from a guy in the shop). I still have mine on order and, frustratingly, still have all my kit laying around in the boxes . So, I went out and bought a cheap Argos stand/unit that would be long enough to take the plasma but it turned out to be totally s**t. It cost £29.99 and must have cost all of 20p to make!

The idea was to set everything up on the 'Argos Special' and then when my Blok arrived just swap it all out and bin the old stand. However, the stand was woefully inadequate with no strength and no matter how I looked at it, I couldn't see any way of making it stonger without a full re-build (it's wood and plastic ). There's no way I'm putting my plasma and amp into that!

Anyway, after much scratching of head, I'm going to build my own temporary cabinet, strong enough to take all my kit and with much the same dimensions as the Blok, out of 18mm MDF. I'm going to sort out the construction drawings this morning and hopefully get the material cut this afternoon and get it all together tonight. I'll post some photo's if you're interested?

[deckingman]

HI,

Thanks for that. Fortunatley (or unfortunatley) I'm not in a hurry. I have a large Beaver and Tapley base unit which currently houses my gear and the TV. Long story but before I can put in place my major upgrade, I have to sort out 'er in door's own major upgrade to the en-suite bathroom. Only when that's done, can I spend the dosh on my toys. The Tapley unit will have to go eventually because a) it is too long (over 2 metres) and limits the space I need for the new floorstanding speakers and b) although I've hacked the back about, there won't be enough ventilation for the new AV amp.

So I can wait (in fact, frustratingly, I have no choice). I may still look at custom made because we still need to get something to house all the CDs and DVDs which also have to be "out of site" (another long story).

Many thanks for the info though. I'll expect to see an Argos stand listed on Ebay. Best of luck with the DIY version.