THERE ARE TWO schools of thought when it comes to finding a place to stash the various components that enable music to be piped to speakers throughout the house, lights to brighten and dim automatically, video from a media server to be displayed on every TV, and other high-tech functions to happen. The first, and probably the most popular, is to confine the gear to a utility or specially-built mechanical room. Located by the other systems in your house, like the heating and cooling units, the electrical breaker box and cable and satellite drops, it’s a logical storage spot that provides ample elbow room and lighting for routine maintenance, as well as plenty of natural ventilation to prevent the equipment from overheating.
Although the gear rack may be out of sight, that’s no excuse to get sloppy. You may want to show off your investment to your friends, so neatness counts. Most rack manufacturers offer custom faceplates, trim, LED lighting and lacing bars for a more aesthetically pleasing and organized installation of the components.
When installing a wide assortment of electronic systems into a 3,500-square-foot house, every square inch counts. As they do with all projects, the home systems integrators at Cantara, Costa Mesa, Calif., informed the architect and builder of their need for a centrally located rack of equipment, and this hallway location was proposed. The designer specified a glass door for the front to help meld the technology into the architectural style of the house. “In this home, the visible rack makes a statement about the important role that music and video systems play in creating an atmosphere of enjoyment,” says Cantara president Jason Voorhees. “Similar to displaying a wine collection behind glass, an exposed equipment rack shows off the electronic components essential to a perfect evening spent relaxing and socializing with guests.” Reaching from floor to ceiling, the rack holds four satellite receivers, Blu-ray Disc player, Apple TV, and numerous A/V switchers, amplifiers and processors. Cantara outfitted the in-wall rack with a ventilation system and casters to allow it to roll out into the hallway for service and maintenance.
The other option is to keep the gear where it’s more convenient to get to—and admire. Although the thought of having a huge rack of black boxes sharing space with antique furnishings may not appeal to your visual sensibility, home systems integrators can “dress” your rack in a way that makes even the dullest black boxes look suddenly stunning. When situated in a common area of a home, like a family room, den or hallway, a rack blends in best when it’s recessed into a wall cavity or integrated into a piece of cabinetry. Ask your home systems integrator—if he hasn’t already suggested it—to add a decorative frame to the rack and to incorporate beautifully colored LED lighting. Elegant glass or wooden doors that befit the style of the room can also be installed. No matter how you choose to accessorize your equipment rack, remember that you’ll need to reach the back; it’s wise to place it on some type of mechanism that allows it to slide out from the cabinet or wall.
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