My current, budget minded, set-up

[WVEAS]

So this is my current set-up... as the title states, I was on a pretty tight budget but I feel I made a decent little system out of it.

I'm currently running a 5.1 system with a Denon AVR-587, 2 Polk RTi-10 mains, Polk CSi5 center , 2 Polk FXi3 surrounds and a Polk PSW505 Sub with a PS3 and TiVo HD sources.

I just started a home theater business and have a lot to learn about HT but I'm excited. My main focus is going to be manufacturing HT specific furniture. I'm experienced in the furniture manufacturing industry which lead me to construct the peice in the photo. I've done a few others and decided to go public with it. I've also picked up the dealerships for a few product lines in my area like Denon, Paradigm Speakers, Universal Remote... should be fun!

 

[Halon451]

That cabinet looks fantastic - and I'd like to say it's great to see at least someone out there paying attention to the design of A/V furniture and credenzas with respect to 5.1 systems. For a few months there I was really looking for something that would allow me to do exactly what you did, which was to centralize my sub under the stand - problematic in a few ways, a.) wasn't sure how it would impact my low end response, b.) my sub is enormous!, and c.) could find nothing anywhere I looked that had even given the slightest consideration to this idea. What a breath of fresh air. Do you plan on getting to a point where you can ship your products?

I'm very interested to see if this takes off - based on what I saw (i.e., lack of furniture out there specifically tailored for many common 5.1 setups), I think you're in the right place at the right time to make a killing on this. I wish you the best!

 

[Seth=L]

I like the accommodation of a subwoofer right in the center. Very well conceived. I do wonder about the PS3's HDD being that close to a large unshielded magnet though. *is worried*

 

[WVEAS]

That cabinet looks fantastic - and I'd like to say it's great to see at least someone out there paying attention to the design of A/V furniture and credenzas with respect to 5.1 systems. For a few months there I was really looking for something that would allow me to do exactly what you did, which was to centralize my sub under the stand - problematic in a few ways, a.) wasn't sure how it would impact my low end response, b.) my sub is enormous!, and c.) could find nothing anywhere I looked that had even given the slightest consideration to this idea. What a breath of fresh air. Do you plan on getting to a point where you can ship your products?

I'm very interested to see if this takes off - based on what I saw (i.e., lack of furniture out there specifically tailored for many common 5.1 setups), I think you're in the right place at the right time to make a killing on this. I wish you the best!

Thanks very much! This is exactly what drove me to this business venture. Not only could I not find anything that centralized the sub, I couldn't find any products in this area that would accomodate the larger center channels we're starting to see in the market. I will definitely be updated my progress on this forum and, of course, I'd love to get to the point of shipping nation wide.
The idea is to be completely custom built for your specific components... so we'll see what happens!

On the topic of low end response in a centralized, surrounded setting like this; I only feel comfortable with this setup when the sub is of the front-firing, front-ported design. Not saying it can't happen with a front firing sub but I do know if you stuck a down-firing, rear ported sub in that location, you would cause some very funky problems with standing waves and who knows what else!

I like the accommodation of a subwoofer right in the center. Very well conceived. I do wonder about the PS3's HDD being that close to a large unshielded magnet though. *is worried*

No worries my friend, the PSW505 is shielded!

 

[Halon451]

Thanks very much! This is exactly what drove me to this business venture. Not only could I not find anything that centralized the sub, I couldn't find any products in this area that would accomodate the larger center channels we're starting to see in the market. I will definitely be updated my progress on this forum and, of course, I'd love to get to the point of shipping nation wide.
The idea is to be completely custom built for your specific components... so we'll see what happens!

On the topic of low end response in a centralized, surrounded setting like this; I only feel comfortable with this setup when the sub is of the front-firing, front-ported design. Not saying it can't happen with a front firing sub but I do know if you stuck a down-firing, rear ported sub in that location, you would cause some very funky problems with standing waves and who knows what else!

Indeed - I do suppose that arrangement would work best with a front firing, front ported design, which thankfully my sub is. Either way keep us posted - I'm definitely interested to see if you're able to build up to some sort of consistent production line - the customizable aspect is going to win hearts in this community, especially as (like you said) speakers are getting bigger, equipment setups are getting more complex, and subs are definitely getting bigger for the average HT consumer. Seems as if most furniture makers who build entertainment centers and credenzas seem to be stuck with the notion that most people will only have those cheap, small HTIB systems if anything at all and design their products to only accommodate them. It was a frustrating search for me that resulted in nothing in the end - the credenza you see in my HT thread was the only one I found that I actually liked, although it didn't serve the purpose I originally set out for.

 

[croseiv]

Very nice! I really like the cabinet there! Well done.

 

[westcott]

I admire your handywork. As a long time cabinet maker, I can appreciate quality work. It LOOKS great!!!

Unfortunately, from an audio standpoint, furniture and audio equipment do not play well together.

Placing the center channel and subwoofer is far from ideal and your configuration is not recommended.

The wing tables are also not conducive to proper audio. They too are placed far too close to the left and right speakers.

Speakers need room. Crowding them against the wall and up against furniture is counter productive.

 

[WVEAS]

I admire your handywork. As a long time cabinet maker, I can appreciate quality work. It LOOKS great!!!

Unfortunately, from an audio standpoint, furniture and audio equipment do not play well together.

Placing the center channel and subwoofer is far from ideal and your configuration is not recommended.

The wing tables are also not conducive to proper audio. They too are placed far too close to the left and right speakers.

Speakers need room. Crowding them against the wall and up against furniture is counter productive.

Thanks for the input. I would, though, spread the mains out if I could. I'm just cramped for space in the current room.

 

[MStrickland1988]

That setup looks very clean. I like it a lot.

 

[WVEAS]

Just to give an idea of my background and the design and construction capabilities, these are some of my designs from my time at MacKenzie Dow (www.mackenziedow.com). I had started developing the custom A/V furniture line there before I left for greener pastures. They dropped the program because they had no idea how to make it work once I was gone. Enjoy!