Levi,
At one time, I had next to no air space between the top of the SP 1.7 and the top shelf. After a 2 hr movie, the lack of ventilation would make the volume button untouchable to most. I learned my lesson and dropped the shelf the SP 1.7 was on and now there is a good 2-3" above the unit. All is well now. If you look at the top of unit you will see a set of screws that run from front to back right about where your thermostat is. These screws directly bolt the top cover to a heat sink.