Room question: where to put the gear racks? (diagram)

[damonrpayne]

Ok, on to my next question:

I wish to have some space built into the wall to put two short racks of gear. I am not one of those people who wants to "hide" the speakers and equipment but I think building recessed rack space into the wall will help make the room feel bigger and not be as distracting (the lights on the equip, etc).

Obviously I need to choose the specific racks before finalizing measurements but I am seeking opinions on this. Note the alcove's location. My goal is to be able to hit the equipment with a remote, but not be too close to the front wall so that I can install "early reflection" absorbing material closer to the front.

Are there any concerns, acoustic or otherwise, with my location?

Also: any advice on racks that are a little less than four feet tall and sturdy? Things like Aragon amps are not light so they need to be strong.

[DrWho]

I would custom build your own rack using standard rack ears and

shelves. For normal home gear you can usually find very sturdy sliding

shelves that make plugging into the back of components very easy. It's

a bit on the pricy side but you'll never find anything stronger and

they are very easy to build.

Here is an example of something hardcore crazy overkill:

But here are some links to piece stuff together yourself:

http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?webpage_id=3&SO=2&&DID=7&CATID=46&ObjectGroup_ID=335&filter=slim+rack+frame

http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?webpage_id=3&SO=2&DID=7&CATID=46&ObjectGroup_ID=335&filter=shelf

http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?webpage_id=3&SO=2&DID=7&CATID=46&ObjectGroup_ID=335&filter=rail

http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?webpage_id=3&SO=2&&DID=7&CATID=46&ObjectGroup_ID=335&filter=drawer

[damonrpayne]

Added to my equipment list, thanks.

[formica]

For normal home gear you can usually find very sturdy sliding

shelves that make plugging into the back of components very easy. It's

a bit on the pricy side but you'll never find anything stronger and

they are very easy to build.

Here is an example of something hardcore crazy overkill:

Pricey but not that much overkill if you don't have a rear

access. Glenn (aka: picky) i believe went with a

www.middleatlantic.com rack similar to that... but he ordered it

preassembled. You'll have to PM him, as I gave his site a once

over, but didn't see a mention of what and where he got it.

From what saw of the floor plan though... rear access is a real

possibility so that may be an attractive and economical solution (racks

are less expensive and no extra long cables are required). then just use

another solid core door behind your rack.

I decided to build my own... as personally I prefer the look of a

nicely designed component sitting on a furniture style shelf.

Unfortunately not all my equipment is "nicely" designed IMHO.

ROb

[DrWho]

I know you might be going down a crazy upgrade path and this isn't

entirely related to the topic of this thread, but have you considered

building a false wall at the front of your HT? You could flush mount

all your speakers, inset your screen, etc etc...I suppose if you were

really creative you could make it all customizeable so that things can

be changed around in the future. In the front along the sides of the

center channel you could have custom drawers that pull out where you

store all your movies and CDs. And then up high on the sides of the

screen you can have more TV's for watching multiple football games and

all that.

I believe you mentioned wanting to go with klipsch subs and the Ultra2

setup was actually designed to be flush-mounted (which has all sorts of

low frequency extension advantages).

Is there any reason why you're not putting the amp rack in the back of

the room? IR repeaters are pretty cheap if you wanted to fire your

remote at the front screen.

And since it can never be stressed enough - rear panel access is a must

have. Not only is it more convenient, but it's safer for the gear and

cables.

[formica]

Is there any reason why you're not putting the amp rack in the back of

the room? IR repeaters are pretty cheap if you wanted to fire your

remote at the front screen.

and almost essential if you go with a projector...

[TheSoundBroker]

Better yet...put your IR sensor in the ceiling. If you think about the way you want to hold a remote...it is pointed up.

I have two rack mount racks I've mounted in my demo theater (under construction) in an equipment room that will be accessible from the rear of the room. A rear access system is a must if you have to get to your wiring and gear a lot. It is convenient as heck, but you need to be able to seal the rear and damp the rack so it won't buzz. You also need to plan for cooling (you'll need to go active) as well as electrical. I'd say do it...but plan plan plan.

[damonrpayne]

I need to go home and measure again to double check the size of the "lip" at the back of the room. I had intended on using it as a closet for movies and such, and keep in mind that my rear surrounds and a door to so that I can get to my sump pump must also go back there. I think maybe I am still leaning towards putting the gear along the side by building a closet, and giving myself a door to get behind the racks?

[Tom Adams]

You know Damon, as much as I love the look of what I did in my HT room for the equipment, if I had to do it all over, I'd have gotten this:

http://www.middleatlantic.com/enclosure/roll/axsr.htm

and been done with it! My method was cheaper, but the time it took and the PITA it is whenever I need to access the back of the equipment, makes me wish I'd have just forked out the money for the Middle Atlantic thing. In fact, sometime in the future, I'll probably gut my rack and install one of those things.

[IndyKlipschFan]

I would go under neath your stairs as you enter the room on the right. I assume you will have a door to get in behind (The stairs) if you like.. as well. I am a big fan, however, of even though you have the coolest equipment... keep it behind you or out of view to your movie screen. (for a big screen dedicated Projector system) Nothing like blinking lights always to distract you. so display it if you like... just behind your seating position... Or hide it in a closet. (People will still want to see what you have trust me..LOL)

Someone also said IR or a RF (radio frequency) for just a few dollars more.. based system. I used the RF 250 system by Universal Remote. Get the RF system by all means.

http://www.universalremote.com/products/index.php?item=mrf250

To say I love it, is a understatement. It, so far, has worked flawlessly behind a door off to the side wall in my HT. (Which goes under my stairs too. Under the stairs will be a recording booth.) I can keep the door open or shut but everything works like it should.. I also use the MX 850 remote by universal.