Anyone have an HT3 center channel in a TV stand/piece of furniture?

ctviggen · « **on:** 23 Jan 2019, 01:09 pm »

I am having trouble finding a piece of furniture to fit my HT3 center channel. The problem is the thing is massive: the center channel speaker is 23 inches wide, 10 inches tall and 14 inches (at least) deep. I also have the HT3s in a corner and spanning a TV, so the maximum width is 48 inches for the furniture, otherwise it will not fit.

This won't work, as the shelf is only 9 inches high:

https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/mistana-oyola-48-tv-stand-mitn2365.html

In fact, I cannot find any TV stand that works.

We currently are using our coffee table, and I have angled isolation pads under the speaker to point the speaker upwards. This makes the speaker effectively about 12 inches tall, and the speaker physically goes behind a lip of the top of the coffee table. We want our coffee table back, but I started looking at coffee tables.

This might work:

https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/gracie-oaks-arundel-coffee-table-grks7918.html

But the distance between the shelf and the bottom of the table top is only about 11 inches according to the questions.

Does anyone have their HT3 center channel in a piece of furniture? If so, what are you using?

Phil A · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 Jan 2019, 03:02 pm »

Don't have an HT 3 but have a couple of systems with furniture with center channels. None of what I have is really cheap (Odyssey custom built stand in the main system and Salamander Synergy furniture with a bridge in a back-up system) but there's stuff like (and others too):

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_265C25STND/Revel-C25-Stand.html?awkw=369751086428&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=224883154493&awdv=c&awug=9011833&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0aLsuZSE4AIVlYjICh2AbwHDEAQYBCABEgIzKPD_BwE

https://www.svsound.com/products/ultra-center-stand

https://www.staples.com/monoprice-universal-monitor-riser-stand-116250/product_24299669?cid=PS:GooglePLAs:24299669&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=24299669&KPID=24299669&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl-eZpZWE4AIVgbbICh2rNwj1EAQYASABEgKKePD_BwE&akamai-feo=off

ctviggen · « **Reply #2 on:** 24 Jan 2019, 04:23 pm »

Thanks, Phil. I see based on your recommendations, I need to add more info. (Hmm...too bad I'm at work, or I'd take a picture of the system to help people visualize this.)

I need a stand that both houses the center channel and upon which a 53 inch (I think?) TV will sit. So, I need a piece of furniture with a top, flat surface to hold the TV, and then underneath that, another flat surface to hold the center channel.

I'll see if I can take a picture of the system as it currently is, but that might not be until this weekend.

Phil A · « **Reply #3 on:** 24 Jan 2019, 05:50 pm »

Quote from: ctviggen on 24 Jan 2019, 04:23 pm

Thanks, Phil. I see based on your recommendations, I need to add more info. (Hmm...too bad I'm at work, or I'd take a picture of the system to help people visualize this.)

I need a stand that both houses the center channel and upon which a 53 inch (I think?) TV will sit. So, I need a piece of furniture with a top, flat surface to hold the TV, and then underneath that, another flat surface to hold the center channel.

I'll see if I can take a picture of the system as it currently is, but that might not be until this weekend.

How about buying or building a TV Riser to house the center channel on top of a low height rack or just a stand suggested in front of the rack? Does the rack need to hold audio/video components too? I guess what's the budget too?

Phil A · « **Reply #4 on:** 24 Jan 2019, 06:25 pm »

I should add that I had a custom audio rack built (from taking a Baker Road furniture design) for my master bedroom since I needed something of a certain width and depth and for a small TV (I have a 40 inch now - but I mostly use the projector which has a 92 inch screen that folds into the ceiling with the press of a button) and audio components. It wasn't outrageously expensive (I forget exactly how much). I went to an unfinished furniture store which dealt with a bunch of companies.

There's also stuff like:

https://www.hayneedle.com/product/whitewoodmissioncornertvstand.cfm

or plenty of coffee tables like the one in your original post - e.g.

https://www.bellacor.com/productdetail/walker-edison-furniture-co-c46aictro-angle-iron-rustic-wood-coffee-table-rustic-oak-2043193.htm

https://www.bellacor.com/productdetail/steve-silver-company-lu250c-lucia-cocktail-table-brown-1855386.htm

https://www.bellacor.com/productdetail/brighton-hill-titian-rustic-gray-coffee-table-2012362.htm

https://www.bellacor.com/productdetail/brighton-hill-titian-antique-tobacco-coffee-table-2012361.htm

Phil A · « **Reply #5 on:** 25 Jan 2019, 01:02 am »

The other option could be to use an articulating wall mount (assuming the tv is capable of using it) such as - https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=12280

and then using one of the center channel stands I noted (or something like them) in my original reply.

ctviggen · « **Reply #6 on:** 26 Jan 2019, 11:18 am »

Here's the current system. That's our normal coffee table (which we want back, as we're using the old TV stand, which is too high).

This is the old TV stand (Ikea), which is great, but note the lack of space to put the massive HT3 center channel:

The problem is that this is in a corner with no way to really put the TV on the wall. Also, the equipment is over to the "right" from the speakers. The speaker wires and HDMI run through the wall, into and across the basement, and to boxes behind the TV. I used super-fancy HDMI cable (Bluejeans? Or fancier?) to run that distance. Still supports 4k though, or at least our Fire TV box says it does and it looks as if it does. Without routing longer wire, I can't really move the TV

I've found a source for high-end, custom TV stands, but I was hoping for something cheaper. The only thing I think will work is a coffee table similar to what we have. The problem is that I have the center speaker on a cushion that's pointed upward. I'd like to point it upward even more, but coffee tables really aren't made for this purpose, and the speaker is so big it's currently about 12 inches high with the pad. I'm finding it difficult to find coffee tables that fit that, let alone another inch or so.

And it would be nice to store some stuff, but a coffee table isn't meant for that. I also wouldn't mind "hiding" the center channel, but again coffee tables aren't meant for that.

ctviggen · « **Reply #7 on:** 26 Jan 2019, 11:29 am »

That Brighton Hill Titian Antique Tobacco Coffee Table would work. I just measured the HT3 center channel plus pad, and it's just under 12 inches high. The description for that coffee table implies there are 12 inches between the bottom shelf and I think the top shelf? (Whatever "interior dimensions" are.)

It might be a bit strange, as the table is 44 inches wide. The tables that are in the pictures above are 48 inches wide.

Thanks for the links. I'll talk with the wife, and we'll order something this weekend.

Phil A · « **Reply #8 on:** 26 Jan 2019, 02:05 pm »

Why do you believe there's no way to mount the TV on the wall (unless that is just a preference)?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfwRJpzlzw4

JDoyle · « **Reply #9 on:** 26 Jan 2019, 02:36 pm »

Quote from: ctviggen on 26 Jan 2019, 11:18 am

This is the old TV stand (Ikea), which is great, but note the lack of space to put the massive HT3 center channel:

If I were you, I’d gut that IKEA table you have and refinish the inside to match (‘cuz I’m Frugal

)
I’m sure it’ll come apart (some pieces might be glued, but watch some YouTube videos).

You might have to reinforce the top with a thin strip of oak, or something similar (to act as a beam). I don’t know what your handyman skills are, but I don’t think it’s too difficult of a project.

JD

Phil A · « **Reply #10 on:** 26 Jan 2019, 02:56 pm »

The problem is the size of the center channel. If one wanted something unfinished to finish in the same finish as the speakers, there's always stuff like:

https://www.amazon.com/International-Concepts-OT-44-Portman-Unfinished/dp/B003G2ZLV2?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_3

Phil A · « **Reply #11 on:** 26 Jan 2019, 03:00 pm »

Again - don't know what the budget is but I do know about having things to fit large center channels. Before I moved into the new house, I had Odyssey Audio make me a custom AV stand to my specs and my measurements finished in the veneer of my choice (below pic was before I had the components in and I them do matching surround speaker stands too). My rack weighs 350 lbs.

Phil A · « **Reply #12 on:** 26 Jan 2019, 03:07 pm »

If one doesn't mind DIY, four threaded rods (e.g. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-0-75-in-x-24-in-Standard-SAE-Threaded-Rod/3128231) and bolts and (two) unfinished sturdy wood shelves (which one can do in the finish of their choice) is reasonable and extremely sturdy and the only skills required are drilling holes, finishing the wood and getting the shelves level (there are various plans online as well - e.g. http://mullarea.com/Flex-Rack-Project.html).

Phil A · « **Reply #13 on:** 26 Jan 2019, 03:11 pm »

Salamander also has a design your own feature and sells threaded rods too.

JDoyle · « **Reply #14 on:** 27 Jan 2019, 05:10 pm »

Just to be clear, by “refinish the inside to match”, I mean to match the rest of the table... not the speakers.

After removing the wood supports that were attached and other fasteners, etc. that were connected, there will probably be a void of the stain that was used. Fortunately, the dark finish on this table will make the matching process easier.

After looking at it again, I think you could easily modify it to accommodate the other pieces of equipment too... I’m happy to give you more guidance on this if you want, just send me a pm

JD

benguin · « **Reply #15 on:** 27 Jan 2019, 09:14 pm »

We had a similar issue with trying to find a home for the SS7C. We had a number of limitations/constraints on placement and furniture, and needed a place for the 65" plasma.

The end solution was to draw up a workable design with weight limits and specs, take it down to my local welding shop and have them build out a nice aluminum frame. Had that powder coated, added some nice thick maple butcher block shelves, and some industrial ball casters. It's worked out well.

Turned out to be way cheaper than most of the commercial solutions and incredibly sturdy.

- Ben

Phil A · « **Reply #16 on:** 27 Jan 2019, 11:46 pm »

Quote from: benguin on 27 Jan 2019, 09:14 pm

We had a similar issue with trying to find a home for the SS7C. We had a number of limitations/constraints on placement and furniture, and needed a place for the 65" plasma.

The end solution was to draw up a workable design with weight limits and specs, take it down to my local welding shop and have them build out a nice aluminum frame. Had that powder coated, added some nice thick maple butcher block shelves, and some industrial ball casters. It's worked out well.

Turned out to be way cheaper than most of the commercial solutions and incredibly sturdy.

- Ben

Looks like a slightly more industrial design but similar to Steve Blinn racks:

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649282568-steve-blinn-designs-audio-racks-black-anodized-finish-solid-maple-shelves/images/1259493/

Phil A · « **Reply #17 on:** 27 Jan 2019, 11:49 pm »

As noted above, Salamander has a design your own feature: https://www.salamanderdesigns.com/design-your-own/

One can get a threaded rod design (similar to this - https://www.salamanderdesigns.com/modular-open-stands/ and get two shelves with enough width and depth for your needs.

ctviggen · « **Reply #18 on:** 2 Feb 2019, 06:01 pm »

Those are some good options. We ended up with a coffee table recommended originally by Phil above. Here it is, I just put it together and in place this morning:

This was a tough time, so I did not want to take the time to do anything that took too much of my time. As it was, my Linns were working, and I decided to add a center channel, so I had to cut a box into the wall behind the TV, run the cable from the system to behind the TV, then since I was doing that, I also ran AC to behind the system, rearranged everything, and my dang RF/IR remote died after 10+ years of use. So, I had to buy another RF/IR remote and configure that. I'm still configuring it. And I installed a fan into the system so that the computer that's in there would not overheat. I'll take more pictures.

ctviggen · « **Reply #19 on:** 2 Feb 2019, 06:14 pm »

Here's the system, which is on the opposite wall from the TV:

Upper right corner has the charger and RF receiver/IR transmitter for the new Logitech Elite remote to replace my 10+ year old URC remote. Middle: power station, bluray player, Marantz receiver, 2-channel front r/l amp. Left: HT computer, Fire TV, Squeezebox, center channel amplifier.

This is the fan I installed to help cool the HT computer and center channel amplifier:

These are the massive number of power and wires behind the system:

I added two sets of AC receptacles, changed one AC receptacle to be Insteon so I could control the lamp and something else, ran the center channel wire, etc. It took me several weekends, then I had a dickens of a time programming the remote. My HT computer does not have bluetooth, and the Logitech Elite demands bluetooth to work with a computer. I found a work-around, but it took a while. The remote still needs work, but that's the way these are -- several weeks of programming, then you don't touch the programming for years.