Benefits of a Shallower Rack


I’ve got a relatively small listening space to work with. Also limited adjustment toward the center of the room as I’m not the only one using the space (yet it is largely dedicated to the stereo). Although I’ve managed to arrange things so my speakers are at least three feet from the sidewalls, I really can’t go past 19” from the front wall - measured from the rear of the speakers. Being that the room is only 11x12’, I’ve noticed that even minor adjustments and wall treatments can render serious results. Even moving my Pangea (a cheap and monolithic four tier) audio stand slightly from left to right when experimenting with sub placement can majorly affect the center image.

So I wanted to ask here how many of you may have gone to a wider/lower rack to good effect? Or did it present yet another problem that became more of a trade off than a benefit? The idea being that I would remove some spurious reflections via bringing my gear closer to the floor and out from between the immediate field between the speakers.

Ultimately looking to diy a decent wood rack that would sit far lower than what I’m currently using.

Thanks to everyone in advance!

 

riccitone

Showing 5 responses by riccitone

@sbank

I’d probably have to change the orientation, or use a current side wall as a new front wall to make that feasible. Doesn’t mean I couldn’t try it. Often thought about setting the rack to a corner or side.

Thank you 🙏🏼

@cat_doorman

Totally understand the dilemma, had the same situation in our previous house! Validating to know that as low as possible can help in this scenario. I’ve built diffusers so far, placed on the first reflection point of the left wall and behind on the back wall. Big improvement. Looking to build another one for the right wall. Have now Gik corner trap as well. Cheap treatment elsewhere on the walls overall, but need to replace it with better quality panels. Trying to find the balance without over-stuffing the room.

@hilde45

Very nice, I should consider a local wood worker. Outside of pocket hole screws and wood glue, I’m not much of a builder!

 

These are all cool ideas and sound suggestions!…

Part of the fun is trying things to good effect.

I’d love either a Timbernation or Butcher Block rack, just cost prohibitive atm. I’ve seen some nice low stands that might work, could modify with special footers? Was actually studying some of these nicely designed racks to mimic diy fashion.

@gdnrbob

@dekay

Lol! Will keep that in mind 😂

@carlsbad

I remember putting a thick blanket over our tv in our former house (when no one was looking). Really helped. That should really make a difference, not to mention the aesthetic proving to be far better than a blanket. 

@sbank

That rack - and that entire system - looks marvelous. Thank you for directing me to those specs! I’ve seen threaded rods with a similar construction, forgot how useful that can be for keeping things adjustable. Plus very cool aesthetically. Doesn’t look too incredibly complicate, though I just know I’d screw something up.

Building my own enables installation of m6 threads or some other accommodation of isolation footers of some sort.

@noromance

You know, in college I did something like that and remember it working really well. Believe me, I’ve considered trying that again! Alas, don’t know if everyone in the household would approve ; - /

@sns

Those are really inventive solutions…cool idea to design the actual shelves into isolation platforms.

Overall, really great to witness the resounding consensus of the improvements made by simply getting stuff below and behind the speaker plane.