Need recs for large TV stand

[wakeride74]

Please read before you make recommendations. My TV is the Sony XBR3 52" LCD and I am looking for a stand that is at least 60" wide. I would also like one that features the hidden center channel speaker storage. For those of you that don't know this is s place in the middle of the stand close to the top that is covered with the black cloth material used for speaker grilles. The center channel is hidden behind it but yout still get the sound.

The ideal one would also have some storage for DVD's and enough room for receiver, dvd player, etc. The ones I've looked at that were nice were $1500-$2000 at Andersons. I'd like to spend between $500-$900.

 

[warpdriver]

I guess that rules out the BDI Avion ($1500) you probably saw? I've been looking for a similar stand I think I will have to bite the bullet and spend that money because I haven't found anything yet that has a hidden center channel for less money.

 

[warpdriver]

Oh, here's one but I doubt it's cheap
http://www.hookerfurniture.com/index...lp-console.cfm

 

[Davesrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by warpdriver /img/forum/go_quote.gif I guess that rules out the BDI Avion ($1500) you probably saw? I've been looking for a similar stand I think I will have to bite the bullet and spend that money because I haven't found anything yet that has a hidden center channel for less money.

I was considering the BDI as well....but noticed the drawer space wasn't high enough for my center speaker (which is a larger bookshelf speaker size). If you've got a small speaker, looks like you can either spend more money for a nice cabinet like the BDI, or you could conceal it by placing it behind your TV's stand (assuming you're not hanging it).

My solution was to just go ahead and build a shelf on top of the TV for the center speaker, and get a cheap TV stand that blends with the TV but not my nice furniture

If you want nice audio from bigger speakers....looks like you just have to show them off instead of conceal them

 

[wakeride74]

Ashley has a pretty nice one for $789 but no place for the center channel. I was thinking of having it behind the TV and bringing it out for movies but that just kinda sucks and there is a window behind my TV so no mounting

 

[warpdriver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davesrose /img/forum/go_quote.gif My solution was to just go ahead and build a shelf on top of the TV for the center speaker, and get a cheap TV stand that blends with the TV but not my nice furniture If you want nice audio from bigger speakers....looks like you just have to show them off instead of conceal them

I agree. For best sound, you really want to position the center speaker properly, and even then the sound is somewhat compromised because the main speakers are not in the same acoustic environment as the center (the center speaker "baffle" surface is affected due to the proximity to the TV front surface when the center is placed near the TV causing diffraction) . Enclosing the center channel inside a stand is really one of the worst things one can do in terms of placement. I'm a big believer that the center channel speaker should be identical (both the speaker itself and the surroundings) so the best way is to position them in an array below or above the screen on the wall or along the front.

So for me, I decided to go to a phantom center because none of the solutions available for my room was going to work and look nice. I'll still probably get something like the BDI because I like its other features (concealed wheels, ventilation slots, wire management, and overall looks) but I decided I wasn't going to take the hit in sound quality to put my center inside the stand.

 

[3x331m]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wakeride74 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ashley has a pretty nice one for $789 but no place for the center channel. I was thinking of having it behind the TV and bringing it out for movies but that just kinda sucks and there is a window behind my TV so no mounting

It's a tough call when you want the hidden center speaker. I did look into this earlier, but did not find any, at least in my price range of <$1K. You might want to DIY and modify/replace the glass with a grill ?

 

[arnesto]

The triple 10 from salamander design.

 

[wakeride74]

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnesto /img/forum/go_quote.gif The triple 10 from salamander design.

One of the stands I really liked at Andersons was salamander but very $$$; any idea on where I can find them for a good price?