Help protect my gear...

[ivseenbetter]

It's been a bit since I have had time to be on the forum...glad to be back and hope I can hang around for awhile before things get busy again. Anyway,

When I built my theater room I really under estimated the curiousity of kids. My son wasn't born yet and so I assumed I would always be able to direct him away from anything that he shouldn't be playing with (I know...pretty dumb of me to think that). Well, now he is 1 and he is VERY interested in my speakers and theater screen. My siganature lists my gear so let me just ask if there are ideas on how to protect it from being baby-handled without sacrificing sound?

I have been toying around with the idea of building some oversized boxes that I can attach to the front wall that will encompass each speaker while leaving the front open. I figured I would enclose the front using some accoustically transparent material. I was hoping that this solution would protect the speakers and that the cloth would ensure little impact on the overall sound. However, I'm pretty sure just incasing the speaker in a makeshift box on all sides but the front will affect the sound. Any ideas on this one?

I figure my subwoofers will just have to deal with being exposed to him. They are big so I don't think he can really hurt them. Any thoughts?

My screen is an electric screen that drops down from the ceiling. I had to do this because there is a door that needs to be usable behind the screen. My kid likes to grab the screen when it is down and rock it back and forth. I'm not really worried about him hurting the screen as it was low cost and will be replaced when he gets older. However, I worry that he might pull it down on top of him. It would be unlikely but I don't want to risk it. Anybody have any good thoughts on how to address this problem? I thought perhaps I would just build a 1' long wooden box into the wall at each end of where the screens lower bar rests when it is down. Leaving the top of the box open would allow the screen to drop int othe box. Then when he grabs the screen and tugs on it...the boxs would be supporting the majority of the weight on each end instead of the ceiling brackets.

If anybody has easier or better solutions...or point out some things I am missing let me know. As always, I appreciate the advise I get from here!

Thanks,

Chris

 

[KASR]

Do you own the house? Might cut box holes into the drywall and place the speakers in there and have the faces come out a bit from the wall. That might be kinda cool...if done right, of course.

 

[ivseenbetter]

That might work...need to get WAF approval. I hate to say it...but I may have to get rid of all of my front stage speakers and get inwall. My wife will kill me for having to respend money though.

I may even consider going Infinite baffle in the ceiling and get rid of my MFWs.

 

[jostenmeat]

Welcome back iveseenbetter. I thought about this post with images from a PSB owner's thread.

Yeah, makeshift box will probably resonate big time, besides the reflective issues. The above pics use insulation, which I think could be key. Maybe the above could give you ideas.

I don't know what your brackets are like, but I wouldn't worry with my huge one. Then again the brackets I use have two screws a piece.

As for the subs, the first thing I think of with kids are hidden toy cars in the ports.

 

[ivseenbetter]

Thanks Jostenmeat.

I'll take a look at that thread.

My brackets aren't going anywhere. They are anchored pretty securely. I just worry because the screen mechanism hangs off a lip that the brackets hold onto. The screen would literally have to lift upward and then come down in a different place for it to actually fall. There really isn't much of a chance of that happening...I'm just paranoid.

 

[bpape]

Welcome back iveseenbetter. I thought about this post with images from a PSB owner's thread.

Yeah, makeshift box will probably resonate big time, besides the reflective issues. The above pics use insulation, which I think could be key. Maybe the above could give you ideas.

I don't know what your brackets are like, but I wouldn't worry with my huge one. Then again the brackets I use have two screws a piece.

As for the subs, the first thing I think of with kids are hidden toy cars in the
ports.

Agreed. If you build them inside an enclosure or into a wall, their tonality is going to change considerably if they're not designed for in-wall use.

Can't really think of anything that's going to work for you that won't impede the sound other than switching to in-wall speakers that are simply too high for them to reach.

Bryan

Bryan

 

[ivseenbetter]

Agreed. If you build them inside an enclosure or into a wall, their tonality is going to change considerably if they're not designed for in-wall use.

Can't really think of anything that's going to work for you that won't impede the sound other than switching to in-wall speakers that are simply too high for them to reach.

Bryan

Bryan

I was afraid that would be the answer. I started a thread in the speaker section to address inwall...unfortunately, I can't spend anymore than what I could get if I sold my rockets...which probably can't get me much quality in terms of inwall speakers. I'm bummed.

 

[jostenmeat]

Yo, i.s.b.,

Rather that inwalls, or even onwalls, how about some bookshelves with wall mounts? We all know that usually our money doesn't go as far with in/onwalls.

The nicest speakers I might've heard that actually have keyholes are the Ascend 170SE. Those will definitely fit in budget. Not very sexy shape nor finish though. I also use PSB Alphas for rear speakers mounted at the ceiling, and the 170 SE is definitely the better speaker IMO.

I mention keyholes cuz they're EZ. However, one doesn't need them to mount them on the walls; there are other methods.

Whaddya think?

 

[ivseenbetter]

Yo, i.s.b.,

Rather that inwalls, or even onwalls, how about some bookshelves with wall mounts? We all know that usually our money doesn't go as far with in/onwalls.

The nicest speakers I might've heard that actually have keyholes are the Ascend 170SE. Those will definitely fit in budget. Not very sexy shape nor finish though. I also use PSB Alphas for rear speakers mounted at the ceiling, and the 170 SE is definitely the better speaker IMO.

I mention keyholes cuz they're EZ. However, one doesn't need them to mount them on the walls; there are other methods.

Whaddya think?

I have good news! The wife had a fit last night when I brought the subject up. She absolutely doesn't want me spending any money on the HT right now. SO, ultimately I get to keep my speakers. Yippee. LOL.

 

[mke1078]

Why don't you buy one of those "cages" for that they sell for babies and put it around the screen and equipment so your son cannot get to the stuff.

 

[ivseenbetter]

I think I know what you are suggesting...but do they make them that long? I guess I should do some research on this.