Please crit/advise on HT setup wall unit

P

PostmanPot

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Hi all

Components as follows:

Samsung 42C450 42" plasma http://www.samsung.com/uk/consumer/.../PS42C450B1WXXU/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail

Sony HT-STR500 component surround sound http://www.sony.co.za/product/ht-str500

DVD player from above component system

HD PVR (which one must I get? I've heard the silver UEC is best? :confused:)

Mede8er

Design of wall unit:

image-AA54_4C90BC70.jpg


Any tips, advice etc.?

Thinking of getting a little AC fan in there somewhere to help with airflow, especially since plasmas run quite hot? Necessary?

Thanks so much.
 
Few points:

1 - I much prefer to not have my speakers in my wall unit - leaves you with more options if you ever have to/want to make changes. They can also vibrate annoyingly if they're not setup correctly.
2 - Try to get your centre speaker lower down for a more realistic effect.
3 - Try avoid having a picture next to the tv - it's distracting. Unless it's very minimal which could look very good with the downlighters too.
4 - I installed a fan in my unit and it was entirely necessary. Spend a decent amount on a completely silent fan though.
5 - Careful that those shelves right next to the tele don't make it look too cluttered - personal choice there but their proximity could cause airflow/heat issues...
 
Left and right speaker should be angled towards the center, assuming you'll be sitting in the center.

Center speaker needs to be angled to aim at your head...

Personally. not a fan of wall units because they limit you to certain sizes of everything.
 
DJ... said:
Few points:

1 - I much prefer to not have my speakers in my wall unit - leaves you with more options if you ever have to/want to make changes. They can also vibrate annoyingly if they're not setup correctly.
2 - Try to get your centre speaker lower down for a more realistic effect.
3 - Try avoid having a picture next to the tv - it's distracting. Unless it's very minimal which could look very good with the downlighters too.
4 - I installed a fan in my unit and it was entirely necessary. Spend a decent amount on a completely silent fan though.
5 - Careful that those shelves right next to the tele don't make it look too cluttered - personal choice there but their proximity could cause airflow/heat issues...
Click to expand...

Fully agreed. Speaker positions must be relocatable/movable to fine tune the perfect sound environment.
 
I hate wall units, why don't you go for a plasma stand instead... and that way when you decide to trade up on the tv you aren't stuck with a wall unit too small to fit your new 60" 3D Sony:)
 
DJ... said:
Few points:

1 - I much prefer to not have my speakers in my wall unit - leaves you with more options if you ever have to/want to make changes. They can also vibrate annoyingly if they're not setup correctly.
2 - Try to get your centre speaker lower down for a more realistic effect.
3 - Try avoid having a picture next to the tv - it's distracting. Unless it's very minimal which could look very good with the downlighters too.
4 - I installed a fan in my unit and it was entirely necessary. Spend a decent amount on a completely silent fan though.
5 - Careful that those shelves right next to the tele don't make it look too cluttered - personal choice there but their proximity could cause airflow/heat issues...
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips. Will look into maybe just cutting the ends off the unit to allow the speakers to stand on their own, then they will be more easily angled towards center as xrapidx said. The space they will stand in will still be somewhat enclosed, since there is a wall next to where they will be - hope this is find for decent sound etc.

Townhouse is already small as it is. :D Explains why the unit needs to have picture space and other spaces - need the storage space and needs to be a TV room/lounge vibe in 1.

Any pointers about the fan? I think the electrical shops have some decent AC fans?
 
xrapidx said:
Left and right speaker should be angled towards the center, assuming you'll be sitting in the center.

Center speaker needs to be angled to aim at your head...

Personally. not a fan of wall units because they limit you to certain sizes of everything.
Click to expand...

Thanks. It's a toss up between above the screen, or above the components. What you think?
 
PostmanPot said:
Any pointers about the fan? I think the electrical shops have some decent AC fans?
Click to expand...

I just rewired a silent computer fan. I didn't check out the electronics companies as I assumed they'd be noisier than the pc fans...
 
R13... said:
I hate wall units, why don't you go for a plasma stand instead... and that way when you decide to trade up on the tv you aren't stuck with a wall unit too small to fit your new 60" 3D Sony:)
Click to expand...

Need the space to be better utilised. Ideally a simple stand/mount is definitely the way to go.
 
PostmanPot said:
Thanks. It's a toss up between above the screen, or above the components. What you think?
Click to expand...

Above the components. Even angled towards you from above the screen, it sounds odd as you perceive the sound coming from the wrong place...
 
DJ... said:
Wow, all the hating on the wall units. :D

I went with a wall unit - PP here's a link to it for some ideas if you are after something minimal? http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/data/636/IMAGE_018.jpg or http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/data/636/IMAGE_019.jpg

I went with it because I had to cover an indent in my wall which the unit did nicely and imo looks pretty good. Luckily the plant went when my ex did too. She felt like she had to make a contribution - poor thing...:D
Click to expand...

Been reading the other thread and saw your pics. Very nice. Much better without the plant - much more distracting than a picture! :D The wood looks very nice as well.
 
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