How to Choose Audio Video Racks

Determine the size of the audio video rack you need by the amount of equipment you own presently, along with any future expansion plans. If your home theater gear consists of a flat-screen television, receiver and DVD or Blu-ray player, and that's all you plan to use, then a TV stand with a two-shelf storage space underneath will satisfy your needs. If you need to store additional components, such as a CD player, turntable, gaming systems and a VCR, then you'll need multiple shelves, perhaps a freestanding audio rack and a matching TV stand, or a TV stand of sufficient width to accommodate all your equipment beneath the television.

Decide whether you wish to display your equipment or conceal the components behind closed doors. Display racks usually feature open-air shelves or glass doors for viewing the equipment, while console furniture, typically traditional in designs made of wood, feature sliding or hinged doors to conceal audio video equipment and the television. Electronic components attract a lot of dust from static electricity, so a rack with glass doors will keep gear cleaner and may prolong the life of your electronics.

Look for good ventilation behind the rack. Home theater and stereo components generate heat, particulary those high-powered receivers that drive your speakers, so open space behind the rack is essential.

Shop for audio video racks with adjustable shelving for flexibility and future expansion.

Check the cable and wire management features. A home theater system looks like a nest of snakes from the back. Keeping the wires sorted out and untangled will help you down the road if you need to disconnect and change out a piece of equipment. Cable management systems behind an audio video rack will let you attach the wires along the back of the cabinet or route them through a tube to keep things organized.

Test for stable, sturdy construction by placing your hands on the top sides of the rack and pulling from side to side. You will be storing hundreds and potentially thousands of dollars worth of electronic equipment in your new audio video rack. It had better be rock steady.

Consider whether you want to store media such as DVDs and CDs with the electronic equipment. One-piece units often feature storage space on the top and sides for displaying media. If you have a modest movie and music collection with no plans to expand, a single unit to store all electronics and media will conserve space.