Built-in Stereo Cabinets.

[89coupe]

For those who have done this, what did you do for ventilation?

I'm in discussion right now with Legacy Kitchens about my tech center & how we will have enough ventilation, as I don't want open shelves.

[ercchry]

best i saw was cabinets that matched the regular ones around them, but instead of wood in the center of them it was mesh. could not even tell they were different till you put your face up to them.

EDIT: this was for speakers, im thinking you are talking more equipment rack? there is a bunch of companies that make "av furniture" that incorporates fans and vents and things. but if the equipment is hidden then you will be needing a control system (unless you are opening the cabinet every time you use the equipment) if you are controlling it remotely i would suggest just doing a central rack in your basement

[89coupe]

Originally posted by ercchry
best i saw was cabinets that matched the regular ones around them, but instead of wood in the center of them it was mesh. could not even tell they were different till you put your face up to them.

EDIT: this was for speakers, im thinking you are talking more equipment rack? there is a bunch of companies that make "av furniture" that incorporates fans and vents and things. but if the equipment is hidden then you will be needing a control system (unless you are opening the cabinet every time you use the equipment) if you are controlling it remotely i would suggest just doing a central rack in your basement

Yes equipment. Everything is RF, but I have three separate systems. I was thinking speaker cloth in the front and sides. Would this be enough you think?

[ercchry]

depends how much equipment and what type. but if there are sides to it i would say you could get away with just a fan and a vent

http://www.soundwavesone.com/images/projects/Vented01w.jpg

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by 89coupe


Yes equipment. Everything is RF, but I have three separate systems. I was thinking speaker cloth in the front and sides. Would this be enough you think?

You may want more than that where the receiver is, but otherwise it should be fine. Some receivers can get very hot. I suspect a receiver with D class amps (stay cool) would be fine behind mesh.

Quiet fans, rear/side vents, mesh, etc. are all popular ways to do it. There are only so many ways you can vent a cabinet and have it look mostly sealed at the same time.

Not sure how hard it would be to incorporate a large diameter/slow speed (for high volume and no noise) computer fan or something. Probably not very hard.

[89coupe]

What kind of fans will do the job? Do they sell special venting fans for this type of application?

[ercchry]

Originally posted by 89coupe
What kind of fans will do the job? Do they sell special venting fans for this type of application?

i really wish i knew what was in our boardroom... but its pretty seamless and we have two full 12u racks in it

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by 89coupe
What kind of fans will do the job? Do they sell special venting fans for this type of application?

Probably, but I would just build in a 120mm computer fan or similar.

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX9028(ME).aspx

You can buy fan controllers too to slow the fan down if it's too loud on its own:

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX27248(ME).aspx

[ercchry]

here is someone with a similar problem

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=719941

[tictactoe2004]

Middle Atlantic makes everything you will need for this. They have all the proper slide out racks that can hold all of your gear as well as proper audio/video thermal management systems that will take care of your heat issues. Here are some examples:


http://www.middleatlantic.com/enclosure/roll/asr_hd.htm

http://www.middleatlantic.com/enclosure/sa/c5.htm

http://www.middleatlantic.com/enclosure/thermal.htm

[ercchry]

Originally posted by tictactoe2004



http://www.middleatlantic.com/enclosure/sa/c5.htm


ahh! how did i miss this? i knew middle atlantic made something like that but for some reason i couldnt find that link

[garnet]

Originally posted by 89coupe

Yes equipment. Everything is RF, but I have three separate systems. I was thinking speaker cloth in the front and sides. Would this be enough you think?

the nicest systems i've seen have left an open channel, full height, in behind, usually open back shelves, but mesh/screen will work too
at the toe-kick are vent grills for cool air in, and at the top vent grills for the heated air to move out, natural convection current
but you could run brushless fans at the top too, to draw the heated air out

[tictactoe2004]

I forgot to mention, if this is a new construction or you have the capability to run the wires just put everything downstairs, the only things you need to have close by are things that use physical media like bluray players or xbox360.

[BrknFngrs]

An individual on AVS forums had all of his equipment in a rack behind mesh with a vent at the bottom to draw in cool air and one of those ultra-quiet bathroom fans (where the fan itself is in the ducting a significant distance from the room you're in) for the top. This seemed like the best option that I came across as the fan was controlled by a thermostat in the rack so it was only on when needed, it moved considerable air volume and it would be dead quiet pretty much.