Hi-fi furniture for normal people

[@gummibando]

USM HQ is in Switzerland, but furniture for the German domestic market is made in Leipzig, Germany. Fun fact: USM also offers acoustically optimized panels for the Haller system. I can highly recommend to also consider consulting your local cabinet maker, which might be able to make a bespoke piece of furniture for much less than one would expect.

[@Bierkameel]

The best piece of furniture are those Lintons, I love mine in the walnut color.

[@twostepped999]

👍🏻This was a much needed topic to address! The struggle is real if 1) you want it to blend in 2) be functional 3)be priced like “normal” consumer goods. Ps, furniture these days is rarely real wood, but rather particle board or mdf with plastic looking veneer. It’s really a sin. A world designed to be thrown away and bought new every couple of years.

[@pedrovisgueira]

I loved this video, it had a mix of all my favorite things, Technology, Music and Design/Architecture/Furniture. Thank you

[@MelchioDrum]

I love your spaces. Living rooms full of nerdy stuff but at the same time are good looking design oriented, due to plants and fornitures.

[@kristofferabild]

I really like the Danish brand Clic. Made for hifi and look stylish as well. They are also available in a version that sits just above the floor so no cables visible from the front. 😊

[@tommcclure8727]

To hide cables, cut a piece of white or colored foam board and attach it to the back of the hifi rack.

[@g000se99]

I use an old black tshirt

[@jsteer]

A great brand for audio furniture that looks nice and also supports other usages is Tylko. They have models sized specifically for vinyl storage and the website allows anyone to design their custom furniture inside the range of what’s allowed.

[@kawlreaper]

Really like the Zara Home 'Dark wood side table!

[@diegobalzarini1994]

I couldn't find a piece of furniture that pleased me at a decent price so I built my own. I'm a beginner in woodworking

[@zinkebeard7516]

Just protect your ear, while using noisy tool!

[@MarcAMVz]

Apparently, that is the solution.

[@BigBaller-he1dz]

I did the same...

[@ognewb]

I got the monolith av stand and it’s fantastic. The shelf’s are made from 3/4” mdf and support 300lbs ea. I have 100lbs of amp and it generally bends lesser stands.

[@JCWTeoh]

I can recommend the IKEA Nissafors as a Hifi Rack. You can mount the shelfs upside down to avoid the metal front beeing in the way. I’ve added some sturdier furniture feets instead of the rolls. Under the components I've added slate plates to absorb the vibrations of the rack and give it more weight.

[@mcnudge]

I imagine the one shelf made from expanded metal would be great for ventilation as well! I like it!👍

[@orattab3778]

I am using a smaller USM Haller sideboard for a Unity Nova and it looks and feels great. And I got it in bright orange, which makes me smile whenever I see it.

[@DrGIzmoBRad]

For years I'd bought vertical HiFi racks which made things look good but resulted in very complicated wire salad. After I'd purchased a 4'×8' sheet of Bamboo plywood to make a set of floor standing speakers, there was a 4 foot by 19 plank left over. After seeing this video with wide horizontal storage, pulled an all nighter to convert that leftover Bamboo plank into a HiFi table for my office. Made 17 inch legs to allow room for LPs and a subwoofer underneath, and mounted a 4 foot AC outlet strip on the back to reduce the wire clutter. Up top there's plenty of room for a turntable, integrated amp, cd player, and two satellite speakers. Many thanks for inspiring me to go 'Landscape' instead of 'Portrait' :).

[@Kukkema]

Bought the Zara Home after seeing it on your instagram, love it. Thanks

[@a.h.d.h.2803]

I use an untreated wooden teak sideboard. I do not display my equipement. When I use the equipement I just open the door of the part where it is located. I had to make some adjustments though; drilling holes, cutting slits for cables and connectors in the back of the sideboard. So yeah, you are 'right, bloody well right' about finding furniture suitable to store ones hifi equipement, which fits fiscally and ethically in the room as well.

[@PabloConcrete]

For anyone interested in Zara Home furniture in UK it is called DARK WOODEN INDIVIDUAL OCCASIONAL FURNITURE. Nice piece! Also comes in HONEY OAK colour

[@jurgenmenke8286]

I recommend DIY racks made of aluminum system profiles. Normally used to build machines. You can build a rack you cannot buy in any shop and they are super sturdy, if you attach 30mm plywood boards cut to size to it. And of course you can also attach a TV to the self build frame. Infinite possibilities!😬🛠

[@gamerfinn3634]

Enjoyed this. Repurposing "normal" furniture for audio is a best practice. The premium paid for audio specific furniture often seems like a bridge to far.

[@Sirloincloth1st]

For my simple CD setup I use an Ikea FJÄLLBO tv unit. Its solid, stable, and sized sufficiently for two full size audio separates. Works for me.

[@MikeLindup42]

Great, great, great. Thanks John.

[@joshualatendresse]

The great thing about USM Haller is that not only is it modular, but also available in various sizes - Id say that the 500mm x 500mm shelf width x depth is perfectly sized for all but the deepest of components (albeit not so much for LPs unless the height gets squared off and awkward - hence I understand why Mr Darko went with 750 x 350mm sizing for his collection behind the swing down doors). And a six week wait time in Portugal is cause to rejoice - it’s SIXTEEN here in the states!

[@tubespring]

Thank you for pointing out sources of furniture that are affordable, good looking, and suitable for hi-fi.

[@Cudifying]

You can use USMs configurator to design yours however you'd like. For my HiFi rack I went with a 50cm depth for the reason mentioned around the 6 minute mark. Deeper components fit much better on the 50cm vs 35cm depth.

[@sbatty65227]

Ikea Kallax TV stand. I also use an Ikea butcher's block with Sorbathane pads as a cheap as chips isolation platform.

[@EnriqSandoval]

That Zara Home find is spectacular! Great vid.

[@TPQ1235]

John, I use height adjustable wire shelving with IKEA butcher block platters to house my kit. I’d rather spend what spare cash I have on music or kit. I’m in Canada, so we lack some of the choice that you have in Germany and Portugal. Plus our dollar doesn’t go very far. Thanks again for all the effort you put into your work. I look forward to each and every video you create. And I have discovered KZbin’s Mix mode so I can have non-stop Darko when I want it!

[@MicheldeGroot-n8y]

Oh dude, I thought you were going to solve my cable management issues! 😮 Oh well, at least it's a good to know we're all in the same boat!😊

[@KITFLETCH1]

I really love BDI furniture: it’s pricy but well built and ventilated American units with cable management at back

[@Roudaki677]

I have several USM units in different configurations, in the States the delivery is closer to 3 months! But they’re timeless….

[@marcthomas2333]

I've been using USM Haller since my university time. We have some 10 or so different USM Haller lowboards, racks etc. in total. My wife calls it "Lego for adults" because they are so flexible and I used to love to assemble them myself. And yes, all of our HiFi / TV systems (living room and basement apartment) are sitting in/on top of USM Haller racks. And USM Haller just has a great classy look.

[@kawlreaper]

Outstanding. This topic has come up in conversation over and over!

[@juanclaudiodreyfus2801]

Haller comes in 2 depths. You could have the same basic configuration but with the deeper size which would accommodate bigger pieces. Have a look on their site. I believe the deeper measurement is 20"-21" roughly

[@hanneskluytenaar6908]

The usm is available in several depths. And if you stick a sheet of bitumen below the metal shelf, it improves the functionality for hifi gear.

[@briansowden-worldwidestereo]

I’m modify my KALLAX furniture from IKEA to fit my hi-fi components as well as created CD storage and record storage by modifying them. I took a 2 x 2 KALLAX and took out the shelves so it was one big square. I took the long shelf from 2 kallax units to create essentially three shelves inside the unit and added heavy duty casters so I can roll it around. I used heavy bracing L brackets for the shelves and I’m able to place my McIntosh integrated on the shelf so it’s higher.

[@Pok-001]

The side table is exactly what I been looking for. Nice style. Funny thing, I started shopping furniture for a few days ago. lol

[@richt4472]

I like old and new. My Hi-Fi equipment, amp, cd and turntable all sit on top of a Georgian oak dresser base made in around 1750. The contrast of old and new works well.

[@Pressure_23]

I got a custom rack made by a specialist carpenter to perfectly fit all my AV gear. It is beautiful but was very expensive, and I’ve since reorganised my kit so I need much less space. But I can now store games and blu rays. Best of all, having a nice piece of furniture to take all the bits meant my wife compromised on me having some acoustic panels, which were transformative for the sound.

[@retromania5835]

Very helpful John for us impoverished aficionados, although as I'm on Kallax already, no changes will be made. As ever, immaculately presented and visually stunning.

[@JeffreySaunders-h7b]

The Salamander Designs Archetype5 has done it for me for over 15 years. Very stable and as I have reconfigured my system, I can adjust the 5 cherry wood shelves and have also added 2 more shelves and made it a foot higher with add-ons from SD. A little annoying when I move the shelves, but the infinitely adjustable shelves are worth it. By adjusting the shelves to leave 1" above each component, we don't even see the wires behind. And, because it is open on all 4 sides, there is plenty of access to position cables and for air circulation. And the cost is sweet. Make sure you assemble and tighten the way they tell you, and it is very solid.

[@KimmoJaskari]

For the poor and normal people, IKEA has the Bestå planner where you can assemble your own media furniture. It's not ideal, but it doesn't look too bad if you pick your design well. Not quite sufficiently deep, though, front to back for really large stuff. But yes, IKEA is quite cheap and visibly so. Still, very happy with my 180 cm wide low unit that holds my ultra short projector and components. Going to have to cut out a hole into the back panel of it to fit a *really* deep component I have... but that will all be hidden so why not. These have a back wall, in other words. Obviously some care is required if you have components that heat up. But it's easy to use some 3D printed cable clips with a screw hole in them to create comprehensive clips and cable routing behind it and it's all hidden.

[@ericjenkins2737]

My perfect solution was the Solidsteel VL series. The bottom rows of each are dedicated for vinyl storage while the upper portions are more traditional audio racks.

[@chrishamilton5960]

I use an IKEA Fjallbo which looks great and hides the wires beautifully.

[@ebbytes]

I got a Norstone Esse 55" AV Rack. I put my TV on top, my audio gear on the inner shelves. I got it after my "normal" tv furniture started sagging from the weight

[@EMP698]

Norstone is quality stuff and not that expensive

[@desking8683]

Thanks. Haven’t heard of the brand. Checked it out. Now have some building idea.

[@jimfarrell4635]

One statistic left out is the load limits of the shelves. I have one amp that weighs 85lbs and two others over 50lbs, which can cause issues with finding furniture which won't collapse under the weight. Also, when it comes to hifi, adjustable shelf height is super useful. Having said that, I like both pieces, but particularly the Zara. Good video. Next. Hifi chairs other than the Eames or Eames clones. Edit: no info re load capacity on Zara table on website

[@rcrdsntsslv]

Thanks for this! I have a secondary vintage system from the early 70s that was needing "a home" and that Ikea table even looks right from a design perspective! Ordered, delivered, assembled, and very happy with it! Way sturdier than what the pics made me assume too!

[@HoundStuff]

Great points, I totally agree. I like those furniture pieces.

[@johnpischedda6951]

Thanks John, I'm always on the lookout for better storage. I've always felt specialist Hi Fi furniture is not necessary and too expensive. I prefer lower to the ground and wide rather than a narrower higher stacked tower. The USM style is more my preference. Fortunately i've found dedicated speaker stands that look good and fit for purpose are very affordable now through Amazon.

[@adsph]

Thanks for sharing John. Happy for you with the changes.

[@TheLongCut1]

Just bought the Zara table. Thanks for the rec!

[@chrisdunford7524]

I am very happy with my BDI Mirage Media cabinet - comes in double and triple width, hides cables, looks great.

[@mrpositronia]

The Zara home unit is nice. Well done finding that one, John.

[@jp93309]

I have that same 4x1 Kallax. Inexpensive, stylish in the light wood wash, and holds records at the bottom so it’s very sturdy and stable. Does a good job of hiding cables behind records too.

[@Drn10n]

I needed a very specific sized desktop rack for my headphone gear. And after a LOT of searching for something that is both durable, looks good, and doesn't cost more than my actual desk, I decided to build my own. I used 2020 aluminum extrusions for the frame and oak for the shelves. And it turned out great, while also being very easy to build, and only cost me around 250$.

[@tomgray6093]

I’ve had a Russ Andrews modular furniture system, Torlyte, for many years, it was fairly expensive though and not something normal people would consider. For me it was miles better than my previous rack, a hideous black metal and glass monstrosity.

[@PeterHebert]

I custom built my own hifi rack, loosely based on the Salamander Designs Archetype system, with pine boards and threaded rods. It's solid, with height adjustable shelves, and has served me for over 20 years. I think I spent around 300 Canadian Dollars at the time. Could spend more for harder wood, but I like it.

[@sergeeeeeeeeeee]

thanks for pointing me to that Zara Home (never heard of it before) thing, it'll arrive tomorrow and will hopefully (sort of )match our vintage Danish design sideboard

[@dwn2634]

Currently on an adapted 4 x 2 Kallax (on foot base), but looking at IKEAs Eket modular system now as I need to slim down the space the Kallax takes up. Need space for my Rotel amp, Wiim Ultra and ProJect Debut Carbo Evo, plus plenty of vinyl, with space either side for speaker stands.

[@zloinaopako]

I use a 22 unit open frame two post server rack on casters. So far, it has been the best option for my hi-fi gear. It is highly adjustable to the individual components hight and depth. It is also easy to clean and manage cables in the back. Power distribution strips make power management a breeze. The rack is $158 on the US Amazon store, while the different sized shelves can be found for varying prices.

[@festerofest4374]

I've been very happy with some Salamander Design Synergy furniture I bought over 10 years ago... super adaptable.

[@jorgebravo7980]

This is how I tackled the furniture thing. Hope this helps (or gives an extra alternative) to people: 1.- I measured the length/width/height of all my equipment and the breathing space the manufacturer recommended for each component. So, in conclusion, I had the ideal measurements for my furniture 2.- I looked for aesthetic references on pinterest and google. 3.- I mixed the measurements from step 1 + the aesthetic/materials from step 2 4.- Knowing little to none about carpentry (just a sketch, the measurements, my references and suggested materials) I talked to a local carpentry. 5.- They built my ideal hifi rack for aprox $130 USD So, my suggestion is to don't be afraid to "design" (for lack of a better word) your own furniture. You can support your local businesses while doing so, and have a furniture that fits your exact needs like a middle-aged-audiophile cinderella while doing so.

[@acros6653]

Baseboard raceway is my favorite. Worked in IT and had to deal with picky corporate customers who hated visible wiring. We used primary used Panduit brand since they would honor purchase orders. They have a vast catalog of options if you request their professional series, that don’t show up in the consumer space. Requesting samples often provides enough to get home jobs done at home.

[@adamcanterbury]

Love the different than normal format....thank you for the tour 😊

[@pablogp3266]

Great video. I would put myself in the "normal people" group that also don't have a Samsung Frame, so the TV placement needs to be considered when choosing these kind of lowboards.

[@timdawson103]

I like the look of the Lagom Studio sideboard style stuff, but yet to shell out. Look to be solid and with decent choice of finishes

[@davidmorris8121]

Great video. I bought the '4 with 2 slots above' Kallax unit, in white, this year. I love it! Was surprised to hear an improvement in sound, too, compared to the generic steel/glass TV stand i'd been using. Thankfully, I don't have the issue of my components being too posh for the unit, John! 😂 (although that NAD gear looks right at home in that stand!)

[@Nicholas-db5sl]

It’s certainly a challenge when your looking for an Acoustic Zen type of set-up that reflects a Scandinavian Airport departure lounge. In a home setting, this calm reflection can be shattered by your pet walking past, like a Cat for example, disrupting everything you have aspired to. What a cruel Universe we live in.

[@kdusea]

I have been on a hunt for quality turntable + vinyl storage stand all in one as I have limited room, very hard to find anything of quality. I did come across Symbol Audio which has several fantastic styles and configurations but it can be a bit pricey, but it looks worth it for the quality and craftsmanship.

[@eddents]

That Zara looks nice for the price. Its depth is under 14". If your gear is deeper, it could still work if the support feet fit on the shelves and the cabinet can sit away from the wall, letting the back of your gear "hang" out the back of the cabinet. It might not have a clean line of sight when viewed from the side (cables showing), but would show nicely in the front elevation view. Thanks for cabinet furniture leads John!

[@gregorypaul1150]

The Baggboda bottom shelf appears to be sagging just a bit under the weight of the Cambridge stack 🙁. I really like the Zara Home side table. It looks plenty strong and is obviously a classy design.

[@chrisvand2678]

It does, The Edge gear is heavy. But it's so easy to paint a piece of timber white, and place it under the shelf in the middle of it. Problem is fixed! And furthermore take a piece of thin white cardboard, and tape it to the backside of the furniture to hide all of your cables from the front view. DIY it.

[@matthougas928]

This is incredible. The day after i get a pair of IN BOX Focal Chorus 706's for 185usd. Im a "normal person" and just wanna dress these guys up a bit

[@renatomorais8136]

Hide the cables? The fortune we pay for those? We should get a dedicated table just to display them!

[@RobinMarples]

I use a Very nice Real wood furniture. 3 drawers for my cd collection, a rack for the AMP and thé cd transport , on top a lamp and some objects. I had to customised it a bit.

[@M5MFMSLU.Billiken]

The Zara Home piece is available as a double wide - at least in the US - might be even more useful

[@TS-ex4dl]

My tv fits where you put your main equipment . Non touch heavy units below. Like your idea of rack on rollers to get the wires . Best idea is a cupboard if you have a room with that.

[@DJWerkz]

I love to see cables lol. Maybe someone like @FlippingDrawers who has a YT channel restoring and resto-modding junk furniture can upcycle some units for us audio nerds.

[@rynomuncher]

Very cool to see a different colour of Linton other than Walnut!

[@nk6098]

I upcycled a 12 year old open shelving bathroom unit from Habitat in black painted oak, I’d bought it for a bathroom project but it ended being too big so it was languishing in my garage. In came a 35KG valve amp and the unit was perfect - as it was overbuilt to take a massive slate counter top - which I swapped for birch ply. TT sits on top. Looks so much better than most hifi furniture I’ve seen which is expensive and fugly

[@user-ys4og2vv8k]

This Ikea shelf is already quite bent under the weight of the Cambridge Edge amplifiers...

[@DarkoAudio]

Yes, that's 34kg of Cambridge. But no sag with the lighter NAD and Hegel also shown in the video.

[@axelpritzbauer]

I can recommend the company Tylko for hifi. You get custom depth/height/width as well as partitons to suit your exact hifi needs, in a choice of colors and finishes. Online configurator and easy assembly instructions ikea style.

[@DC-bo9py]

Hi, I purchased a PUNCIA 3 tier printer stand form Amazon for £69. Comes with feet or castors Got my NAD M10 with ECLIPSE speakers on top with my MARANTZ CD6007 on the middle shelf and storage on the bottom shelf for headphones etc. Great solution and works perfectly for me.

[@Brett1334]

I had the Zara side table for this exact reason a few months ago, it came and was absolutely destroyed. Chips out everywhere! I had to send it back, which was an issue in itself! But it was sold out so I could get another one. I hope yours came in much better condition.

[@dewit7]

I use for my stereo care a vintage-design low cabinet and gave it modern colours.

[@adamhindle9215]

The Baggboda shelf is bowing under the Cambridge duo. Maybe swap it out for a piece of 22mm ply cut to size? I like my system at chest height so use a Target wall shelf, built inside a kallax unit.

[@DarkoAudio]

Or swap it for amps that are lighter than 35kg...as I have with the NAD gear here in Portugal. And zero bowing!

[@chrisvand2678]

It does, The Edge gear is heavy. But it's so easy to paint a piece of timber white, and place it under the shelf in the middle of it. Problem is fixed! And furthermore take a piece of thin white cardboard, and tape it to the backside of the furniture to hide all of your cables from the front view. DIY it.

[@tdalhoefer]

You can get the USM in 50cm depth. Problem solved.

[@oneofthosebeebles]

I use a Gazzda Fina Sideboard. Very happy I found that piece. It already comes with some cable management holes, but I ended up adding a few extra ones in the back panel.

[@tigertiger1699]

I paid a router cutter to cut 2 off 1.8 x .6 mtr slabs ex 40mm birch ply & 1 off 10mm oxy free glass.., paid paint to clear coat the ply.., had some 500mm polished S/ S steel tube legs made.., and assembled it all It take 78” panel.., Yamaha receiver. Auralic Altair.., M fidelity amp…👍 Cost less than half price of streamer.. people can’t believe I “made it”😂 I just assembled it .. the painter did the magic..👍

[@toddt5562]

As far as hiding cables, I've come up with an effective, customizable and inexpensive option. Pieces of synthetic poster board in white or black, which can be cut to size easily and velcroed to the back of the rack. I've used that under a gaming desk as well with good results. Can be easily purchased from Amazon.

[@DarkFire515]

I use my audio setup (headphone amp which also serves as a DAC for my active speakers) as my PC audio so the DAC/amd and speakers sit on top of my desk. It's a hardwood desk that I got from Ikea years ago. Sturdy and reliable with plenty of room for my PC setup.

[@RobinMarples]

The Price of the usm IS a downside and not one AT the same Time. Nice iconic furniture that will not depreciate.

[@fabiyeah]

I use Kave Home's Trixie, which is a 180cm long piece of furniture made of metal and glass. It looks very elegant and hides the cables perfectly, it has 2 glass doors for storage and 2 slots in the right side for hifi gear with back holes for cable management. The only downside is that the slots are only 38cm deep, so bigger gear must be placed on top. Mine is filled with an amp, turntable, cd player, tuner and Bluesound streamer

[@antimatter65]

Great video always good to have something that's affordable and not crazy expensive. Still using kallax but it's nice to see some different solutions. The biggest thing I would say about this video is that you mentioned a number of times about cable management. My cable management at the back of the kallax is awful and it would be nice to have something there but I'm a little bit concerned about possible interference and audio problems if not done correctly. So a video regarding cable management would be really useful maybe something that includes cable management for Kallax. 🤙

[@IRON_PANDA]

How's the PQ 303? I've had the 505 in-house for a good few weeks and that component made the sound (especially music) thicker, like pressed juice, instead of more like a glass of watered out juice extract, if that makes any sense. I have never bought any audio-furniture other than loudspeaker stands, however, I feel they are quite mandatory. I have a lowboard, that my friend handmade in 2016, it's raw wood materials were over 100kgs and it's the last lowboard I'll ever need for AV-duties. I can always sand and finish it however I want. I've used sorbothane feet (the same you'd place under a washing machine) and silicone/rubber protectors (the kind you protect walls from doorknobs hitting them) to detach loudspeakers from the stands and stands from the floor. This setup has worked wonders for me, and all in, it cost like 20-30eur. I think I gave my friend like a few hundred eur for the lowboard back in the day.

[@rolanddamann3521]

I simply attach a panel of dark gray felt to the back of an open shelf... and all the cables are hidden behind it.

[@BillyBoy2071]

Thanks for the great suggestions. Please consider making a video on speaker stands. I'd appreciate your recommendations, especially for mid-sized floor-standers, such as the Klipsch Heresy.

[@eliotcole]

With wooden furniture I like to screw in those hooks that you can buy from a DIY store to the back (so ... unseen) then use wire cable ties to hold everything together. ( _of course, keeping power and audio cables as separate as possible_ )

[@blackdawg7778]

I’ve asked for a cactus lamp for Christmas too 🌵

[@filipepaninho6558]

Those USM shelves are very nice and all around decoration magazines but pretty expensive...

[@fairmania]

I have a Kallax unit for my vinyl, and also use an Ikea Besta unit, doors with two shelves above. The TV sits on top, to the left are a Freeview recorder below and a Marantz M-CR611 above, and to the right I have fitted the shelf on heavy duty runners to allow the record deck to be rolled out to lift or remove the lid. A phono preamp lives in the void under this between the runners. There is a Raspberry Pi hidden inside the right door that feeds films and media to the TV from a media server in the other room. Cables are hidden behind, not pretty if you look, but why would we?

[@sonofacheron]

Pro tip: Get some heavy duty Metro Shelving and place butcher blocks on each shelf. Incredibly strong and looks good.