Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion HiFi & HT Chat What AV Cabinet?

I’m not having much success on locating a 1400mm wide x 550mm high low-board AV Cabinet that will accommodate my 55” OLED and a Meridian DSP5200HC. Most products appear focussed on housing integrated soundbars.

Has anyone in the UK successfully housed/integrated a DSP5200HC underneath their Television - either directly beneath (on display), or housed inside the Cabinet?

Check Salamander Designs.

Hi-Fi Racks are excellent. You can have the size you need to suit your kit layout. Well made and can easily take the weight involved.
I have a 7200SE in one under a 65" Oled and a 5200SE in another under a 48" Oled.

Sadly, according to Google, HiFi Racks is ‘permanently closed’ - confirmed by their web address being invalid.

That's really bad news, I was planning to order a new rack this year!

At one point in time I ended up having a purpose built cabinet made to accommodate my centre speaker based on the Project by Optimum Design model 1600FF. The 1600FF can accommodate small centres like a DSP 33 but not much else, as you say more geared toward slim sound bars.

The plasma centre might have something useful if not to exact spec.

Thus far, Spectral looks promising. While there are off-the-shelf options, custom made to measure variants are available too in endless RAL colours.

Integral VESA mounts add to unit flexibility, with hinged/fold down solid or fabric fronts (meaning that a centre speaker can be heard but hidden from sght).

Choose ‘planning and details’ from each range for off-the-shelf measurements, after choosing English or German to view the details.

Alternatively, look at Just by Spectral.

Or, there’s Spectral High End Racks for Hi-Fi.

All available from across the UK.

When I downsized my system I let the custom AV built unit go - it was pretty hideous to look at even though it hid all the equipment and cabling very well.

I lucked out back in 2022 and picked up a cheap second hand Spectral Brick 1503 (1500mm width), with fold down doors. My centre, which is slightly smaller than a 5200HC, sits on top of the unit on one side and the receiver on the other. TV wall mounted.

Great options just quite pricey!

On checking in with Spectral with my requirements, their Cocoon AV cabinet will safely handle a total load of 50Kg (a DSP5200HC weighs 35Kg) housed inside the cabinet, while the added VESA mount will handle a further 50Kg (my 55” OLED weighs 25Kg). Maximum width of AV Cabinet is 1500mm.

Based on the photos on their website, that Cocoon cabinet appears to house the HC almost at floor level... perhaps that's adjustable (I didn't read the detail) but as they have it the HC is some way below the TV.

It’s not that far below the display - plus, Meridian HC is ‘Image Elevation’ adjustable.

Having received a quotation; my requirement is to straddle an existing fireplace hearth. Unfortunately, the unit requires a centre supporting leg.

Back to the drawing board.

I’m impressed that Spectral have contacted me with a ‘custom’ solution to their existing custom designed Cocoon product line.

They would utilise smaller central 2.5cm legs from their alternative Just product line to solve my particular requirements - while also using their standard 6.5cm legs.

Looks like a winner.