Audio Equipment Racks

Making the Right Choice of a Component Rack

Being entertained at home seems to involve more equipment these days. Entertainment centers, such as a component rack, therefore need to accommodate more components than they did a few years back. With home theater systems ever more popular, and the integration of movies, music, PCs and internet in full swing, housing all the audio video equipment is a challenge for millions of modern homes. It is also a challenge that is likely to get more, rather than less, complicated as time goes on.

Component rack manufacturers have risen to the challenge, coming up with designs to house all the additional gear, and keep all those ugly wires hidden from view. What were once audio equipment racks, for the stereo or HiFi enthusiast, have become audio video, or AV, racks.

You can find some quite attractive wooden furniture that is designed to accommodate an entire home theater system and more, such as Riverside Furniture’s American Crossings Home Theater System with Media Piers in Fawn Cherry. This will set you back over $3000.

For most of us, though, a simple component rack is fine for a modern home. The above picture shows the StudioTech PS-6 Performance 6-Shelf Audio Component Rack PS-6. This modern stylish component rack has 6 shelves, which will suit most audio video system needs, but StudioTech also have 3 and 4 shelf versions in the Performance Series. It is designed with rigidity in mind, an essential requisite for top quality audio, and has a stylish steel frame design. For the audio perfectionist, it also has carpet spikes and vinyl glides.

The StudioTech Performance series has a unique system for hiding cables and wires, which is a big plus for those who like tidiness. These stereo racks come in a choice of black or black/silver, plus optional castors. Assembly is simple and requires no tools.

There are, of course, other manufacturers of audio racks and component racks around, so be sure to take a good look at what is available. It is essential to decide what your needs really are before making any commitment to buy. You could end up paying far more money to house your component than you need to. On the other hand, you might get a rack that does not accommodate your equipment neatly and with stability. So, check measurements carefully, and also check the weight bearing capacity of the racks you are considering.