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Which of these AV cabinets do you like best

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Old 18-04-2009, 6:12 PM   #1
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Which of these AV cabinets do you like best

I'm at the stage that I hate most again - choosing a cabinet.

The technical stuff I can handle, but cabinets depress me. I can never find exactly what I want and end up comprising.

Anyway, going through it again so.

(i) My wife wants wood (light oak). I would consider black aswell.

(ii) Must have a back so the wires get hidden (current one doesn't).

(iii) Must accomodate 4 pieces of equipment (3 of which are full width of 430-435mm)

(iv) Wife would like glass doors so evrything is kept tidy - I'm not so fussed about this.

So this is what we've got so far

(A) Buy John Lewis Newton TV Unit online at JohnLewis.com

(B) Alphason | Ambri Series - Model: ABR1100-LO

(C) http://www.alphasondesigns.com/produ...D=64&VarID=291

Plasma will be on the wall, not stood on the cabinet.

Which do you like?
Do you like any of them?
Could you suggest something else?

Cheers,

Nigel

Last edited by nheather; 18-04-2009 at 6:14 PM. Reason: Corrected link
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Old 18-04-2009, 6:28 PM   #2
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Re: Which of these AV cabinets do you like best

Hi Nigel,

I haven't looked at prices but I think the 3rd one is absolutely gorgeous!

My LCD is also on the wall and I could definitely picture having this cabinet under mine.


Happy decision making :o)

Simon
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Old 18-04-2009, 6:43 PM   #3
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Re: Which of these AV cabinets do you like best

Have to agree with madhouse here. No3 gets my vote ps didn't look at the prices
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Old 18-04-2009, 6:55 PM   #4
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Re: Which of these AV cabinets do you like best

Currently my wife and I are disagreeing

She likes (A) and I like (C).

I think that (C) looks even better in black oak or walnut but since the rest of our furniture and the sub-woofer are Light Oak I will have to concede that one.

Cheers,

Nigel
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Old 18-04-2009, 7:51 PM   #5
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Re: Which of these AV cabinets do you like best

I too have the same problem at the moment, I have to decide between a cabinet with glass doors on the front or not. I am worried about my Pioneer LX81 amp heating up in a closed cabinet. Any thoughts on this would be very helpful.
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Old 19-04-2009, 8:36 AM   #6
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Re: Which of these AV cabinets do you like best

at those prices id just design your own, in solid Oak, teak, whatever you want, and be patient for 6 weeks or so - you will have a piece of real furniture to last a lifetime then, rather than something made of veneered chipboard or MDF, and something that fits your equipment perfectly

there are many threads on here with recommendations for bespoke furniture
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Old 19-04-2009, 10:27 AM   #7
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Re: Which of these AV cabinets do you like best

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at those prices id just design your own, in solid Oak
I'd certainly consider that, and I did try that 4 years ago when I got my first. The problem was the only local cabinet maker I could find tended to do cottage style furntiture.

I want something comtempory with sharp, straight angular lines. All the stuff he showed me was rustic (rough and lumpy) - he just used hand tools and he couldn't convince me that he could cut straight lines and 90 deg angles.

I've looked at the wooden furniture adverts here and they are either not quite what I'm after or more rustic.

Price isn't too much of an issue. The ones I have listed are quite cheap. I don't mind paying more but it can't be a compromise if I do so.

So far all the expensive stuff (BDI etc) that I've looked at would mean quite a compromise and I'm not doing that and spend a lot of money.

If you know of anyone doing modern styled bespoke units in oak then I'd be pleased to have their details.

Cheers,

Nigel
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Old 19-04-2009, 11:45 PM   #8
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Re: Which of these AV cabinets do you like best

Hi Fi Racks Ltd - Bespoke HI-Fi Stands
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Old 20-04-2009, 6:42 AM   #9
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Re: Which of these AV cabinets do you like best

Had a quick look but they seem to specialise in racks (hardly surprising given their name) rather than AV furniture. The examples of TV furniture in their gallery are very few and even those seem more 'racky' than 'furnitury'.

I have been PM'ed a company that looks interesting. Their gallery contains a lot of examples more elaborate than I'm after but I guess they want to showcase that stuff. Will contact them to see what they can do.

Cheers,

Nigel
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Old 20-04-2009, 4:31 PM   #10
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Re: Which of these AV cabinets do you like best

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Old 20-04-2009, 5:55 PM   #11
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Re: Which of these AV cabinets do you like best

Yeah saw these - pretty good prices.

Great if I lived in a cottage but they are too chunky, rough looking for me. The fact that they are made from pine so very knotty increases the cottage effect.

So not bad, but not for me.

Cheers,

Nigel
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Old 20-04-2009, 6:16 PM   #12
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Re: Which of these AV cabinets do you like best

Quote:
Originally Posted by nheather View Post
Currently my wife and I are disagreeing

She likes (A) and I like (C).

I think that (C) looks even better in black oak or walnut but since the rest of our furniture and the sub-woofer are Light Oak I will have to concede that one.

Cheers,

Nigel
your wife knows best

You do not want glass it is a pain to clean.
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Old 21-04-2009, 3:06 PM   #13
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Re: Which of these AV cabinets do you like best

depends on your decor but personally the 3rd one is the most modern looking whereas the first is more in keeping with a more traditional look.

If it was me choosing would go for the 3rd as I like the more contemporary stuff (house I bought is 70's build and the previous owners for some reason tried to make it victorian like, annoys the t*ts off me!)
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Old 21-04-2009, 3:58 PM   #14
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Thumbs up Re: Which of these AV cabinets do you like best

Hello to you,

I can totally sympathise with your confusion / frustrations in finding the right AV equipment stand.

I myself have come to the conclusion that I will be having mine made to measure, although this will cost quite a lot, I know that it will truly be tailored to my requirments.

Not sure what budget you are looking at, but you could look at the following site and see what you think.

This is where I will be having my AV supports made, so I hope that you will be inspired by their designs.

All are one off's, i.e made to order

Hold the Music

I genuinely hope this helps in some small way

Honest regards from a stranger.

Last edited by benmbe; 17-06-2009 at 5:13 AM.
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Old 20-05-2009, 2:03 PM   #15
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Re: Which of these AV cabinets do you like best

Quote:
Originally Posted by nheather View Post
Had a quick look but they seem to specialise in racks (hardly surprising given their name) rather than AV furniture. The examples of TV furniture in their gallery are very few and even those seem more 'racky' than 'furnitury'.

I have been PM'ed a company that looks interesting. Their gallery contains a lot of examples more elaborate than I'm after but I guess they want to showcase that stuff. Will contact them to see what they can do.

Cheers,

Nigel
Nigel could you pm me the details of the company as I'd like to have a look to?
Thanks
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Old 20-05-2009, 6:08 PM   #16
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Re: Which of these AV cabinets do you like best

If it's not too late, I have the Alphason Finewoods. Got it a couple of weeks ago and love it. If you want any pictures or info just ask
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