My wife and I decided to do a complete upgrade of our living room and entertainment system. We basically never really focused on furniture and electronics upgrades for over 10+ years now and decided to wait until our Daughter graduated college (and those of you with kids will understand).

That day has come and we finally decided to do it right all at once and make it “Our” living room. It was time to do for us finally and so off we went. I originally started out with a nice black glass and metal frame A/V unit that I hung the Samsung on. However after a week it became very clear that dusting all that stuff was going to be a pain as each shelf was a dust magnet. As my wife decorated around “my crap”, it became very clear we needed another solution for the electronics.

As I have used this forum in my quest to put together a well balanced system and gain advice from many of you audiophiles, I noticed this advertisement for Standout Designs furniture. Because I had purchased a Paradigm CC-590, most units on the market for high end furniture still cater to the small “HT in a box” kind of electronics (I know that is what I used for over 10 years for my HT electronics). Nothing I could find would accommodate the large center speaker I had, which is one reason I went with the original stand was because I could use the top shelf for the center speaker.

Well we went to their website and checked out their furniture. My wife is picky about “quality” furniture and her “decorating”. To give you an idea, she rejected Paradigm Studio 20’s on a stand because it “looked like cheap car speakers on stands” (go ahead and say WTF - I know I had the same reaction). I had to return them, but that is a different story, point being she has a very opinionated design and quality expectation. For those of us that are married, the W.A.F. (wife approval factor) is the biggest part of putting anything like this together.

Well then I saw the Horizon N702 Plus unit they have and I was a bit worried it may not fit all my gear, but it did and then some. I spent almost 45 minutes on the phone with Alan who talked to me about the unit, the cooling options, the back extenders, etc. Because I just purchased the Pioneer SC-27 A/V Receiver, I needed the back extenders, plus the addition of the cooling kit was a great feature as I do not care for most A/V cabinets because you can cook your gear. The cooling allows for airflow to get rid of that heat buildup and actually very quiet. I do not notice the fans at all.

So it came in and I now have it installed and let me say that even my wife was impressed. Did it meet the W.A.F? Hands down! This is QUALITY furniture – not some cheap stuff with MDF or some thin backboard with punch out holes for routing. This is solid wood, smells great too btw, and is VERY WELL constructed. Ordering off the internet can be scary, especially when you are dropping $2k+ on furniture, but I promise it is well worth it. How many times have you received furniture with real sawdust still floating around in the unit?

For a little over $2k, this is the most amazing piece of furniture I could ever get excited about. The routing holes are well made; smooth, rounded, and the extenders help out a lot. I made sure I ordered everything symmetrical so both sides have it even though I only needed it on the one side with the Pioneer receiver.

I also ordered it with the speaker grill door inserts. This allows for better airflow and my equipment works just fine with my remote through the mesh. So I would highly suggest the speaker grill door inserts, the cooling kit with the holes in the glass and the back extenders - put it all together and you have one sexy A/V cabinet that is not only good looking but functional.

I now house the following in this unit and am totally in awe on how it all looks.
LEFT SIDE
Pioneer SC-27 A/V Receiver
DirectTV HD-DVR
Belkin HT UPS (for the receiver and DirectTV units)
CENTER
Paradigm CC-590 (fits almost perfectly in that hole)
HTPC (Soon to be added in bottom section – I purchased the speaker grill cover, removed the drawer in the bottom and plan on using this space for the HTPC)
RIGHT SIDE
PS3 & Logitech PS3 Keyboard
Samsung BDP3600
D-Link DGS-2208 GB 8-Port Ethernet Switch
Belkin HT UPS (For these units and the TV)
TOP
Logitech Harmony One Remote Charging station
Samsung UN55B8000 55” 240Mhz LED HDTV


http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/859/mfw15.jpg
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/9439/mfw15002.jpg
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/4021/speakergrill001.jpg
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/3938/speakergrill002.jpg
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/755/standout001.jpg
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/3775/standout002.jpg
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/7694/standout005.jpg
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/1471/standout006.jpg
http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/4056/standout007.jpg

I have one too, although mine is double drawers (open layout makes 5.1 w/kids pointless) and I didn't spring for all the cooling. I just ordered some USB powered fans for when the PS3 is on. I agree, real high quality stuff.

I have to agree with the PS3 heat thing, because I think that gets hotter than the Pioneer SC-27 receiver I have in the other side.

I now have the bottom drawer out and the speaker grill inserted in its place. I will be using that area for the HTPC next February when I have it budgeted to upgrade this current PC, gut it and use it for the HTPC and build my new desktop gaming/work PC.

My wife prefers the speaker screen on the bottom shelf as opposed to the shelf being there. I think its mainly so the hardware doesn't clash with anything else in the room.

The first pic I had to use Photoshop to enhance the brightness, being all black adn dark items, sometimes you just cannot get clear pictures, so it takes something like Photoshop to pull out the details, but in turn I also loose the correct coloration on some things, so its a give and take. At least you can see the screen at the bottom now.

Here are a couple pics with the screen in:
http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/927/167h.jpg
http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/127/158qo.jpg
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/8960/154pu.jpg
http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/6595/151df.jpg

Very nice! :)

just curious, would the center speaker grill removed allow you to use the furniture grill for a more flush look?

Very nice! :)

just curious, would the center speaker grill removed allow you to use the furniture grill for a more flush look?

Yes, I could do that and I may in the future give it a shot. I was told though that Paradigm created their speakers though to work better with their speaker grills on rather than off - not sure what or if any impact on the sound would be if I ran them without and made the front flush, but it may be something to consider.

The speaker grill on the CC-590 is the reason it is not flush, otherwise the actual speaker itself fits perfectly. The digm's grill has rounded places on each side of the cover that stick out causing that lip that keeps the speaker from being flush inside the stand.

I will probably re-mount the bottom speaker grill and could possibly order another for the top and make it uniform - though I spent a bit of money to get that "P" on that center speaker grill - I would sure hate to hide it..........It reminds me that I finally own a set of Paradigm's, but in the dark, during a movie, none of it all really matters, just the grin on my face :D

Hello;)

is that the black ash?? also how are the wheels, mine will be going on hardwood and am hoping for easy access to the back. this thing will be perfect for my huge psb c40 center.

Im thinking black ash with the smoke glass;)

Hmmm you've not checked in:(

anyhow. standout designs is now offering 100.00 off thanks giving sale + they are throwing me free shipping:)

thats 1299.00 in black ash to my front door.
thanks-:D

WOW received my Horizon N702 Plus in black ash today and it is awesome...

beautiful........

more to come;)

Hoping some Standout owners can help answer this question:

I am likely going to purchase the N702+ along with the cooling fans but was unsure whether or not to get the vented glass shelves with the center holes. My AVR will be sitting on one of the bottom shelves and it tends to get rather warm so I was thinking if I got the vented glass shelves, the heat would rise up and through the center hole in the glass shelf above it and thus that heat would be constantly hitting the component above it, which I'm guessing wouldn't be that good for that particular component. Is this a valid concern such that I should go with the regular glass shelves + the fans?

Hoping some Standout owners can help answer this question:

I am likely going to purchase the N702+ along with the cooling fans but was unsure whether or not to get the vented glass shelves with the center holes. My AVR will be sitting on one of the bottom shelves and it tends to get rather warm so I was thinking if I got the vented glass shelves, the heat would rise up and through the center hole in the glass shelf above it and thus that heat would be constantly hitting the component above it, which I'm guessing wouldn't be that good for that particular component. Is this a valid concern such that I should go with the regular glass shelves + the fans?


Hi marty the only thing i can say is most of the heat comes from the backs of the unit receiver ect ect.. there is at least two inches from the end of glass to back allowing heat to go up and out.

hope this helps.

still working on setup ;)

but-

here is a quick picture of mine
(Im still amazed at this thing)

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y78/freddyttt/009.jpg
my speakers and stand are both black ash..... perfect match;)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y78/freddyttt/008.jpg

Hi Mercury! Thanks for the quick response. Ya, I just don't know, having a hard time making the decison whether or not to get the vented shelves or not. I was checking out my AVR today (HK 7550HD) to see where most of its heat is coming from and to me, it seems like its coming directly from the top and not much from its backside. So if I used the regular glass shelves, I don't know if that means the heat would just sit there above the AVR and buildup (not good) or if it would travel to the front or back of the cabinet and be safely dissipated. I feel like I am overthinking this but I just don't know which shelves to go with.

Hi Mercury! Thanks for the quick response. Ya, I just don't know, having a hard time making the decison whether or not to get the vented shelves or not. I was checking out my AVR today (HK 7550HD) to see where most of its heat is coming from and to me, it seems like its coming directly from the top and not much from its backside. So if I used the regular glass shelves, I don't know if that means the heat would just sit there above the AVR and buildup (not good) or if it would travel to the front or back of the cabinet and be safely dissipated. I feel like I am overthinking this but I just don't know which shelves to go with.


Marty contact the company as they are great to deal with.

for what its worth i did not get the vented shelves. also ill grab the Standout Whisper Cooler Kit down the road.

hurry. with the free shipping(-149.00) and the 100.00 off 1299.00 is a steal.

Thanks again for the reply mercury! I did go ahead and order the stand with the optional fans. I also asked Alan (who was very nice to talk with!) about the vented shelves but we couldn't really come to a definite conclusion about which would be better. Alan mentioned that he thought that with the regular shelves, the heat would just sit there above the AVR and build up (no good!) but that if I had a couple of inches of clearance above the AVR, it would be ok. OTOH, he understandably also couldn't assure me that the heat passed through the center hole of the vented glass shelves wouldn't damage the component(s) sitting on top of the shelf over time so that didn't really do much to alleviate my concerns either. I'm hoping the fans will be enough but defnitely want to gather as much info as I can since if I get the vented shelves now, it would only be another $40.

Thought I would add some photos of my setup with my recently purchased N702+ (apologize for the low-quality pics). I opted for the "Cinnamon Maple" color wth the extenders, whisper quiet fans, vented shelves, center grill kit, and smoked glass.

Equipment shown is as follows:

Left cabinet:
- Oppo BDP-83 BR player (top shelf)
- Sony RDR-GX7 DVD recorder (middle shelf)
- Linksys WRT-600N 802.11n dual-band router (bottom shelf)
- Linksys 8 port gigabit switch (bottom shelf)
- Verizon Fios Modem (bottom shelf)
- Ninentdo Wii (bottom shelf)
- ATI Digital Cablecard Tuner (bottom shelf, very back)

Center Cabinet:
- Infinity Interlude IL36c speaker (behind grill)

Right Cabinet:
- TivoHD (top shelf)
- Slingbox Pro-HD (top shelf)
- Directv H22 HD receiver (middle shelf)
- Monoprice Switch (middle shelf)
- Monoprice Splitter (middle shelf)
- Harman/Kardon 7550HD 7.2 AVR (bottom shelf)

Top:
- TV: Pioneer KRP-600M monitor
- Remote: Universal Remote MX-810

Other items:
- Left/Right Main Speakers: 2x Infinity Interlude IL40
- Subwoofer: Infinity Interlude IL120S
- HTPC: HP m9300t w/ cablecard tuner (Windows 7 Pro)

Not shown:
- Surround Speakers: 4x Infinity Interlude IL10

I have been pretty much just going to the SC-27 and Paradigm posts and for some reason went through some of my older posts adn saw all these amazing entries from you all.

Wow, so cool on the black ash thing - they are a perfect match with your speakers. Looks awesome - I wish I had caught your pics earlier.

Yeah, I like that Cinnamon Maple version as well. I thoght about going a different color before I ordered my Paradigm's, adn my wife suggested I order the digm's in Black Ash, so that basically dictated the rest of the entries such as the Horizon unit. Though I think no matter the color, these are some high quality and solid pieces.

Very nice pictures both of you - I hope you all are enjoying your stands as much as I am. I actually am glad these are so well built, I find I have to stand on mine daily to open/close our drapes behind the TV, so thankfully these are stout units and can hold my 210+ weight..........

stand looks dope speakers fit perfect

try a projector

try a projector

Ahh, that will come in time when all this gets moved to the new house with a dedicated HT, but good advice just the same.......

The1stCav,

a few q's!

so does the sc27 read all songs by their names and show them as u show?
what type or kind of server are you running to this?

where did ya get the belkin ht ups's?

and why the samsung over the vizio's 55 tru led?

Just general wonderings is all?

thanks! awesome set up!

needs me the $$ to get the black ash stand! thats awesome!

so does the sc27 read all songs by their names and show them as u show? what type or kind of server are you running to this?
Yes, it reads the titles of the songs and displays it in the receiver. I am feeding the music from a Windows Home Server (OS) I built (Custom machine) with over 4TB of storage currently, but it feeds my SC-27, PS3, and other networked devices with music, video, and pictures.

where did ya get the belkin ht ups's?
Got them at Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882379006

and why the samsung over the vizio's 55 tru led? I was so excited, took my uncles advice who is always checking out and comparing TV's daily it seems so I figured he would have the best advice on TV's. So I listened to him - which he sent me an email laughing because now Samsung has pulled all the 240Hz 8000 series TV's because of a lawsuit. Got to love it.
awesome set up!
Thank you, it was fun putting it together and now using it daily.

needs me the $$ to get the black ash stand! thats awesome!
I am so glad I went to that Horizon N702 Plus unit from that Black & Glass stand. Though the stand was cool, that solid wood unit is primo!

Yes, it reads the titles of the songs and displays it in the receiver. I am feeding the music from a Windows Home Server (OS) I built (Custom machine) with over 4TB of storage currently, but it feeds my SC-27, PS3, and other networked devices with music, video, and pictures.

Oh, ok, i am going to try an UnRaid server here really soon downstairs with this intel item i bought off ebay, used to be expensive, now only 135 and it holds 4 hddrives and will be over 4 tb for me! it will be awesome!

and i will have these items:
intel ss4200-e (server) with UnRaid installed!
1 or 2 ups's
mac mini
wii
xbox elite
ps3
dtv hd dvr
hp 8 port ethernet switch (need a 16 port!)


and either the sc 27 or the onkyo 3007(have not decided yet, but looking like the sc27, but i want the ability for the 9.2 with the onkyo, just not the heat output!)





Got them at Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882379006

Do u notice any humming comming from them while nothing is turned on?


I was so excited, took my uncles advice who is always checking out and comparing TV's daily it seems so I figured he would have the best advice on TV's. So I listened to him - which he sent me an email laughing because now Samsung has pulled all the 240Hz 8000 series TV's because of a lawsuit. Got to love it.


WOW! lawsuit over what? the led stuff?




I am so glad I went to that Horizon N702 Plus unit from that Black & Glass stand. Though the stand was cool, that solid wood unit is primo![/QUOTE]

yup, gonna get one here in a few months!

1 last q's:

what is the purpose of say a monoprice (just a brand that came to mind) hdmi switch and or the splitter? y use these two items, (if u have any idea about them? just asking if u do?)

like my older ds787 onkyo, u have the ability to switch to the last input and use it over your video, such as if i am watching a football game, i can switch it to my cd player, or ps3 player ext.. and use the sound of that input while watching the football game, does the sc27 do this?

thanks i appreciate all ur help and advice!

No the SC-27 does not do the sound switch thing you are asking - one input or another, but you cannot watch one input and listen to another. The only way I have done this is by having everything basically running HDMI to the TV, then optical to the Receiver. Then when I can like the PS3 run a dedicated optical to the receiver as well. When I want to watch one thing and listen to another I can do it that way, by watching what ever from one unit while feeding sound to the Receiver via Optical ferom another unit. That was the only way I could do this with the SC-27

Ok I think I'm about the pull the trigger on the N702 Plus. Mercury did i read that right!?! You ordered on Nov 18th, 2009 & got it on Nov 20th, 2009??? WOW! If you do a self pick up, they are now offering free shipping!

Well I just pulled the trigger! Debra told me it should be here on Friday. I can't wait!

I am totally in awe also! So much so, I ordered one yesterday!

Now for a decorating question... LOVE the drapes... do you know where you got them, brand, color, how they hang (pocket, grommet, ect).

Thanks so much!!!

Well it came on Friday. Atlanta traffic was a*&(&*(^, but it was worth it. I saved a C-note by picking it up at the shipping terminal myself. The U-haul cost me 80 bucks so it was a wash.

I love this thing. I ordered it plain, but next month I will be getting the fans. It is great now that my TV is at the right height & I just love the whole profile. This is a worthy investment IMHO.



The old
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/lovswr/posted%20to%20High%20Def%20Digest/taurusSXRD012.jpg


the new
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/lovswr/Horizon%20N702/HorizonN702003.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/lovswr/Horizon%20N702/HorizonN702004.jpg

I am totally in awe also! So much so, I ordered one yesterday!

Now for a decorating question... LOVE the drapes... do you know where you got them, brand, color, how they hang (pocket, grommet, ect).

Thanks so much!!!

Decorating is my wife's department, I just buy the electronics (I have an electronics addiction - big time). Curtains are "Pocket" style and they were located at multiple Target stores. They are full length velvet gold drapes and we got the longest rods they had and combined two of them to span the 4 windows. We placed 4 panels per window to give the bunched look and add more insulation and dissapation for sound.I do not know the brand, but its not like Target sells a wide variety of brands in Drapes - hope that helps.

I love this thing. I ordered it plain, but next month I will be getting the fans. It is great now that my TV is at the right height & I just love the whole profile. This is a worthy investment IMHO.
The fans are amazing IMO, they certainly help a lot. I also got the vented shelves which have helped out a lot as well. What an amazing difference that unit makes though in over all style and even TV viewing as it is at the right level and all. Did you get the back extenders? I see your Pioneer in there and I know my SC-27 needed those extenders so I got them for both sides to keep it uniform. I still love my N702 as I am sure anyone else that has physically laid eyes on one would - they are well built and just blend nice with the decor IMO. Your before & after shots show how they do a room/entertainment center justice.

Damn.. I have a really 'stupid' built house, where in my family room it's shaped like an L and where the tv fits best in what would be the shorter bottom part of the L :)

I measured the width, plus that of my floor standing klipsch speakers and it's maybe 2" too short to hold one of these guys

If it were not for the rubber feet on the speakers, I would have an inch or two to spare..

Wonder if they could build it 2" shorter for me :)

Decorating is my wife's department, I just buy the electronics (I have an electronics addiction - big time). Curtains are "Pocket" style and they were located at multiple Target stores. They are full length velvet gold drapes and we got the longest rods they had and combined two of them to span the 4 windows. We placed 4 panels per window to give the bunched look and add more insulation and dissapation for sound.I do not know the brand, but its not like Target sells a wide variety of brands in Drapes - hope that helps.


The fans are amazing IMO, they certainly help a lot. I also got the vented shelves which have helped out a lot as well. What an amazing difference that unit makes though in over all style and even TV viewing as it is at the right level and all. Did you get the back extenders? I see your Pioneer in there and I know my SC-27 needed those extenders so I got them for both sides to keep it uniform. I still love my N702 as I am sure anyone else that has physically laid eyes on one would - they are well built and just blend nice with the decor IMO. Your before & after shots show how they do a room/entertainment center justice.

Actually that is a Sony ES reciever & Sony 400 disc Mega-Changer & no I did not get the extenders, but both fit (first time I have had a AV rack that actually holds that mega changer.

You are correct, the whole "feeling or demeanor" of the room has changed. More than meets the eye! :)