Building Shelf/Box for Center Speaker

[mavery]

Hi All,

My current entertainment center does not have any center compartments. The console is 54" wide, 18" deep, and 23" high. Additionally, I live in an apartment so I'm trying to avoid any wall mounting for both the tv and center speaker.

The alternative I have settled on is to build something from mdf board that the center speaker sits in or under and the tv sits on top of it. One option is to simply build something like a shelf that only has side boards and a top but no bottom, back, or front. The "shelf" would sit on top of the entertainment center, the center speaker inside it, and the tv on top of it.

The second option would be like the other option except it would have a bottom to the shelf (making it more of a box) and it would sit on the entertainment center. The front and back will be open. The center speaker would go inside the box and the tv would on top of the box. I'm learning toward this option because I think it would be more sturdy.

So here are my questions:

1. Should I leave space between the top and sides of the speaker (1/4" or 1/2"), or should I construct the shelf/box so that it fits snuggly to speaker? If I should fit it snuggly, should I line the inside of the box with some type of dampening material that is glued or stapled to the inside of the shelf/box? If so, what should I use?

2. Concerning the "shelf" or "box"...Does it matter whether the speaker sits directly on the entertainment center or whether it sits on the bottom of the "box"?

Also, I'll have the rubber shoes on the bottom of the speaker in either case.

 

[tattoo_Dan]

mine is smaller,it's 55x17,so i had nowhere to put my cc and I came up with this shelf/arm that has worked great for me,
IMO,as long as the CC is pointing towards ear level,whether it be pointing up or down,like on my system,I have my CC mounted above the tv pointing down at ear level when I am sitting on my couch,I used rubber door stops and a lazer pointer to get the angle correct.I built a rear shelf for my CC.
also,I wouldn't build a box that is too snug fit,leave a little room in case you want to change CC speakers down the road.

here is what i did.

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[timoteo]

Hey nice system Dan! I like the DIY CC stand. Very clean. Youve placed your speakers very well & made good use of the space. Im not sure if you have your system shown in the Members Gallery or not but id love to see more of your place. You should (if not already) post a thread showing your whole system off. We love pics around these here parts, the more the better!!

 

[tattoo_Dan]

Hey nice system Dan! I like the DIY CC stand. Very clean. Youve placed your speakers very well & made good use of the space. Im not sure if you have your system shown in the Members Gallery or not but id love to see more of your place. You should (if not already) post a thread showing your whole system off. We love pics around these here parts, the more the better!!

thanks,I will take a better set of shots and do that,I'm pretty proud of it.

 

[Nestor]

Hi All,

My current entertainment center does not have any center compartments. The console is 54" wide, 18" deep, and 23" high. Additionally, I live in an apartment so I'm trying to avoid any wall mounting for both the tv and center speaker.

The alternative I have settled on is to build something from mdf board that the center speaker sits in or under and the tv sits on top of it. One option is to simply build something like a shelf that only has side boards and a top but no bottom, back, or front. The "shelf" would sit on top of the entertainment center, the center speaker inside it, and the tv on top of it.

The second option would be like the other option except it would have a bottom to the shelf (making it more of a box) and it would sit on the entertainment center. The front and back will be open. The center speaker would go inside the box and the tv would on top of the box. I'm learning toward this option because I think it would be more sturdy.

So here are my questions:

1. Should I leave space between the top and sides of the speaker (1/4" or 1/2"), or should I construct the shelf/box so that it fits snuggly to speaker? If I should fit it snuggly, should I line the inside of the box with some type of dampening material that is glued or stapled to the inside of the shelf/box? If so, what should I use?

2. Concerning the "shelf" or "box"...Does it matter whether the speaker sits directly on the entertainment center or whether it sits on the bottom of the "box"?

Also, I'll have the rubber shoes on the bottom of the speaker in either case.

Not sure how heavy your TV is, or the size of your center channel. With a full span of 54", I think you're going to get appreciable sag on your shelf. What's the width of the speaker?

I think your better option is to mount the center channel above the tv.

A picture would give us a better idea.

In answer to your questions directly, no dampening should be required.