Home Theater Entertainment Unit - Poll - Which is Best?

[Video Master]

I was looking at getting one of these - what do you think is the best?

The BDI is $799 and comes with a mount while the crate n barell (bottom pics) is $600 with no mount.

[xAyoFoolx]

Check out Sanus

http://www.sanus.com/us/en/

[Video Master]

Originally Posted by xAyoFoolx

Check out Sanus

http://www.sanus.com/us/en/

I have and none of their products appeal to me - no style and they never include an area for the center channel. The color needs to be an expresso color to match the rest of my apt - I live in Los Angeles so you have to remember that style is just as important as function.

[allstar780]

the top one looks much nicer to me... the bottom ones look like someone just modified old furniture

[MistyMorn]

For eye appeal, I actually prefer the BDI. It may cost more but having the mount included could prove priceless.

[talbers23]

they are both sweet looking stands and i really doubt you will not like it when its set up in your home, unless space is an issue. get whatever one is cheaper and get some movies or games with the extra money.

[DIY_HD]

[QUOTE=Video Master;1024238]I was looking at getting one of these - what do you think is the best?

The BDI is $799 and comes with a mount while the crate n barell (bottom pics) is $600 with no mount.[END QUOTE]

They both look nice. I see your dilemma. It's hard to tell from the photos. My first reaction was the CnB one is larger and has more space to put components. But on second look, I see that size cannot be judged by the sample TV. Other things being equal, I would favor the BDI. It appears to have a nicer finish and the included mount is a big plus.

Just make sure you have enough room for your components. When calculating depth of your components, add 1.5 to 2 inches for knobs, cables, and connectors. Allow room for ventilation as well. If they don't provide inside dimensions, go to the store and bring a tape measure. If these are not sold locally, and inside dimensions are not listed on the manufacturer's web site, Email the mfr or the retailer and ask.

Those sample components are always little to make the stand look bigger. Better to know these details before you buy. How would you feel if even one of your components stuck out 3 inches from the front or was too wide or too tall? I hope the BDI works for you.

[Beta Man]

I think the Crate and Barrel one looks a LOT nicer..... but that's just my opinion..... and I don't know what your room looks like.

[Video Master]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I think the Crate and Barrel one looks a LOT nicer..... but that's just my opinion..... and I don't know what your room looks like.

Don't know if this sways your opinion which is respectable, but the BDI is real oak and is originally valued at $1400 (I found a good deal for $799) and the Crate and Barrel feels cheap and light and is built with wood veneer.

The reason I like these is because I can't wall mount the flat screen in my APT and they also hide all of the wires. I'm probly going to get a 40 inch Sony XBR or 42 in Pioneer Plasma so either way its going to be sweet. Space is also a major hurdle and I'm going to be up close to it - about 4 feet or less away. My feet on the end of the ottoman will be almost hitting the stereo components. NYC isn't the only place with high rent and low square footage.

[mustang-gt-2002]

sorry but I dont think I would pay $600-$800 for a stand. I payed $130 for the one I have. have had it for 5 years now. for me I like the bottom one looks like it's made for big HDTVs room to grow. but what do I know I bought two $130 each 1000HD monster cables. everyone here says I payed to much. but if you are happy with it and you can afford it then thats all that matters.

[Canada]

I wanted to get a home theater stand with door after my parents got one. It looks nice with the doors on it keeps out the dust, but there is on major problem. With the door on it and the low shelves next to one another there receiver get so damn hot you could practically cook eggs on top where the vents are.

[Video Master]

Originally Posted by mustang-gt-2002

sorry but I dont think I would pay $600-$800 for a stand. I payed $130 for the one I have. have had it for 5 years now. for me I like the bottom one looks like it's made for big HDTVs room to grow. but what do I know I bought two $130 each 1000HD monster cables. everyone here says I payed to much. but if you are happy with it and you can afford it then thats all that matters.

$800 in LA is about the equivalent to $130 in Wisconsin.

[Beta Man]

We bought a television stand for $2,500 at a furniture outlet store for a living room.... we have it moved into our new house..... we wanted a nice stand/entertainment center, but didn't have the room in our current house..... it's in the new house, wrapped in shrink wrap still.

I don't think paying $800 is too much.

In regards to your other comments, about real wood, etc.... did you look at furniture outlet places (the place we got ours is called Arhaus, I think it's a mid-western only place though) find a furniture "outlet" if possible, and get a model from the previous year....... if that is what the one on top is, and it's real oak, etc.... then I'd change my pick to that one!!! buy a good quality one.... that's for sure.


mine looks "kinda" like the ones on top (the top four) ..... no pictures on their website of the actual one I got, since I got it at the outlet, for a lot less...

http://shop.arhaus.com/carty/?r=0&c=...ge_collections

This t.v. won't even have surround sound etc.... just satellite/dvd/Hd Dvd

[Intamin]

Just on looks alone, I'd go with the C&B one. I really don't like the styling of the BDI, but that's just me.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Intamin

Just on looks alone, I'd go with the C&B one. I really don't like the styling of the BDI, but that's just me.

that's what I was going off of...... but if the one on top is solid wood etc.... it probably looks better in person.

[dobyblue]

It's hard to pick a TV stand.
I need one that will support a 60" TV as well as a 10.5" high centre channel.

I'm contemplating just wall mounting and putting the centre channel on a stand, sitting the AV equipment in racks on either side of the centre between the fronts.

[Intamin]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

that's what I was going off of...... but if the one on top is solid wood etc.... it probably looks better in person.

You're probably right, but even then I don't like that styling. I would be more likely to go with the Alcove style from BDI (if he's set on BDI), as it seems similar to the C&B one

[obiwopkenobi62]

I actually had a closet that I wasn't using. my living room wall to the right of my TV was the back wall of the closet. I cut it out, put in a black wall unit in the hole, trimmed it out, and it came out great. When I need to get to the back of my equipment I just open the closet door and have easy access.

[Video Master]

Originally Posted by Intamin

You're probably right, but even then I don't like that styling. I would be more likely to go with the Alcove style from BDI (if he's set on BDI), as it seems similar to the C&B one

The Alcove is nice but its $3,000 and entirely too big for my small studio apt.

I really like the styling of the BDI over the crate and barrel and it's just a matter of opinion. The crate and barrel looks like any other entertainment unit with a slab of wood stuck on the back and it also looks rustic and old fashioned which is something that hardly ever works with modern electronics. It's kinda like the iPhone - you know its the best but its interesting to see how many informed naysayers are out there that have no style.

Thanks for the comments

[Video Master]

Its going to look kinda like this: