[UB748]

Hello everyone!


I'm moving into my new condo in about a month and I've been thinking about all the possible ways I could setup my HT system. I think I have it all figured out (yea right), but I do have some questions. First of all, I'm considering an in-wall audio component rack. Luckily there is a closet directly behind where I intend to mount my Plasma and it could also house the AV rack. Since I've never tried anything like this before I was hoping for some suggestions. Can anyone tell me where to look for these types of racks? Also, if you see my image below you can see where I intend to put the rack. It's off to the side of the viewer so how can I make sure that the remotes will work at this angle. Any suggestions at all would be greatly appreciated. I'm pretty much a beginner at this so please excuse my newbie questions.


Thanks,

Joe

 

[aramb]

I have the Middle Atlantic AX-S In-Wall equipment rack. It has removable tracks that allow you to slide it out of the wall 4 feet for wiring up your system.


Here is a link to Middle Atlantic's web page for this particular rack:
Middle Atlantic AX-S Rack


The best (least expensive) place I have found to order Middle Atlantic racks and rack shelves is from R.S. Engineering & Manufacturing. Their website is:
R.S. Engineering & Manufacturing


On my website, if you go to the "Time Line" section, you can see how I did the installation of the rack:
My Home Theater


Hope this helps you out. Good luck.

 

[Larry Fine]

UB, two ideas:


#1, check out my drawings; it doesn't get any cheaper. Probably under $50 for all.


#2, if the glass block can be, well, blocked, consider the TV against the bottom wall, i.e., rotate the setup 90º counter-clockwise.


Sure, you won't have a wall for the rear speakers, unless you build a soffit for them, but you'd have a symmetrical area, speaker-wise.


Even then, your chosen location for the rack will still work; mine is at the side, and the remotes work just fine.

 

[daflea]

Similar question actually.


My HT room enables a nice in wall rack, but the back of the cabinet goes into the garage (when I cut the wall out for the rack, I'll be looking into the garage). Theoretically, I can either build the space behind it large enough to enable a door for me to fix about without having a pull-out rack, or I can close it in more and have a pull out rack (plenty of room for either). Which makes more sense? Thanks.

 

[Larry Fine]

To me, it's easier to make a door than a moveable rack. The wiring alone says it all; you'd need all that extra slack (at least 3-4 feet) if the rack needs to move. Check my pix. (I know I need more, better shots; one day...)

 

[UB748]

Quote:

Originally posted by aramb I have the Middle Atlantic AX-S In-Wall equipment rack. It has removable tracks that allow you to slide it out of the wall 4 feet for wiring up your system. Here is a link to Middle Atlantic's web page for this particular rack: Middle Atlantic AX-S Rack The best (least expensive) place I have found to order Middle Atlantic racks and rack shelves is from R.S. Engineering & Manufacturing. Their website is: R.S. Engineering & Manufacturing On my website, if you go to the "Time Line" section, you can see how I did the installation of the rack: My Home Theater Hope this helps you out. Good luck.

Aramb,


Thanks for the info! This definitely helps to give me a starting point. I'm not sure if I completely understand what is needed with the rack but I'm going to do some more reading and try to figure it out. I know I won't need one that tall, probably only about two thirds that heigth. Anyway, thanks again!


Joe

 

[UB748]

Quote:

Originally posted by Larry Fine UB, two ideas: #1, check out my drawings; it doesn't get any cheaper. Probably under $50 for all. #2, if the glass block can be, well, blocked, consider the TV against the bottom wall, i.e., rotate the setup 90º counter-clockwise. Sure, you won't have a wall for the rear speakers, unless you build a soffit for them, but you'd have a symmetrical area, speaker-wise. Even then, your chosen location for the rack will still work; mine is at the side, and the remotes work just fine.

Larry,


Yours is an excellent idea! I never thought of doing something like that myself. It may be an option since the closet I'm installing it in has a door directly behind it for access. This means I wouldn't need to have one of the more expensive racks that pulls out for access. I will definitely take your idea into consideration.


Now about turning the whole setup 90º counter-clockwise. I've given that lots of thought actually. I have more diagrams that I've drawn up with about every possible scenario that I could think of. The glass block window is very large and comes down just low enough that a plasma will be peeking above it, which I'm not crazy about. This also doesn't allow me to mount it to the wall which is what I'm considering in the original setup. The width going that way is a bit of a problem to. A sofa with a chair gets cramped especially when you take the door to the balcony into consideration. Although I've done all this on paper I also know that the final decision will come when I have the furnitue in place and I've had a chance to look at it visually so nothing is set it stone yet.


I do have one question though. The shelves you built, are those brackets strong enough to hold a 50lb. amp? Also, the strip that you attach the brackets to, what do you have that mounted to? (i assume studs in the wall but i'm curious)


Thanks again for all your help!


Joe

 

[Larry Fine]

I haven't weighed my amps (Sunfires), but the bottom two shelves are holding them just fine. The strips (standards, they're called) are screwed into the studs flanking the opening with finishing screws, which are basically thin drywall-type screws with narrow heads.

 

[Bent]

I guess if you want improved strength from the rails and brackets, you could install tandem rails on either side and use doubled up brackets.


I installed a similar rack to Larry's and am completely inpressed with it.

I used the quick rails for all components except for my Harmon AVR-525 (almost 50 pounds), there i used a comercial 16" long welded shelf bracket that is screwed directly to the stud.

(Thanks for the idea LArry,, it worked out perfectly)

 

[bonedog]

I went with back doors and think that's the way to go if you have accesable space behind. I also built-in my racks (simple movable shelves) myself. The rear goes into the garage where I built a double wide closet with two doors. My stack of four Adcom 555IIs is on one side and is not accessable from the front. (Though it would be cool to show off the muscle, there is nothing to adjust on them and it leaves more space on the accessable rack). I agree that the M A stuff looks like the way to go if you want a genuine rack. When I priced out all the misc. hardware needed to rack things up properly I decided to go the DIY shelf route instead and I'm happy with my choice. I will admit though, that a serious black metal rack job does lend an air of industrial strength authority.
http://www.markertek.com/ (search mid atlantic or racks) is another good supplier of Mid Atlantic stuff at decent prices. I've gotten studio desk/rack M A furniture for the adjacent control room& editing bay from them. Also canare cable & hardware for DIY interconects.
http://www.bus.ucf.edu/cwhite/theater/diycable.htm if you want the recipe.

Have fun. -bd

 

[Larry Fine]

For anyone concerned with the strength of shelf brackets, there is a line available that uses a double-slotted standard and doubled bracket, rated 500 lb/pair, seen here:
http://www.fineelectricco.com/Shelf2.jpg

Here's the HD page: click here .

 

[UB748]

Wow! Thanks guys! I definitely have a place to start. I'm looking at an Oct. 20th close date on the condo so I should be in there soon. I can't wait to get started.

 

[boykster]

Quote:

For anyone concerned with the strength of shelf brackets, there is a line available that uses a double-slotted standard and doubled bracket, rated 500 lb/pair, seen here:

I use these shelves in my "server room", where all my distributed vid/aud components are, as well as my 6 "house" pc's (4 servers, the HTPC, and the computer in the kitchen). I've never had any problems with these shelves at all...they are VERY strong, and are pretty easy to install.


One shelf has all 6 pcs on it (4 are small mATX cases, 1 is a fully populated linux server (10 hds), and it could hold more if there was more room


I got my from Lowe's, but they're avail other places too.


I built a "pullout" rack for the HT out of melamine boards (with casters and drawer slides for guides) because of space considerations (I have rear access, but it's tight if I don't pull the rack out).


Both work well, the server room shelves are stronger though....


Cheers,


Rich

 

[daflea]

Has anyone used a used Server Rack like they use in Internet colocation facilities. They are about 19" wide internal/22" wide external and should hold any piece of equipment you could throw at 'em for under $100. Any thoughts?

 

[pen25]

as long as its 19" wide and you have rack mounts these will work.. and you can actually get them cheaper.. just have to goto some of the pc recyler places they usualy have a couple for cheap..