Today I met a guy who built his own TV/media stand.
Naturally I asked to see a picture and he was all to happy to show it.
He built it to fit the 80" TV he's looking at and its also been built to support the weight of all his components, two built in bookshelf speakers and the center channel.
Looks like he did a fine job too.
Here's the good part. He said if I like what I see when I look at it in person he'll build one of my design for the VP180 or VP 160 for around $500.
$500!
The Brick almost got me a few weeks ago for a P.O.S. that would I would have had to compromize with. They wanted $650.
Any chance one of you have followed this same custom path and would happen to have a drawing/design/picture to share?
I've drawn a few since finding out about Axiom. I couldn't find any online that would work.

Leaning toward the VP160, not sure if that'll help.

I've never heard an in cabinet Axiom.
Placing a non in cabinet speaker in a cavity built for it should sound different than the in cabinet...
Using an in cabinet limits the next use of the speaker...
Using a built in should look better...
Anyone?

I'm using an in-cabinet Vp-160. But I have a lot of other speakers in the mix, so hard to say what just that one sounds like. One day soon, I plan on making a panel near the receiver, where all of the speakers are connected to it, then using short cables with banana plugs at both ends as patch cables, to make it easy to switch receivers and try different speaker combinations.

You really don't need an in-cabinet VP160, as the regular 160 is front ported so it can be stuffed into a cabinet very easily, but if you want the in-cab versions they will sound identical because the cabinet volumes are the same.

I was working on a system using sketch up that had in cabinet M80s and a VP180 but I can't find it anymore. It was a huge cabinet, similar to what I have only where I have regular M80s, I had made a cabinet for them to fit in as well as the VP160. The whole thing was ~14' long and 3ft high in the center with the outer 'towers' 4 ft high, the TV would have sat in the middle between the towers.

I would think a flush mounted incabinet VP160 would look better, mainly because the trim would be finished to match the stand.
It's a tough one. I've been undecided for a while.
My current center is only a year old. Its not as good as I'd like but everytime I consider upgrading I find myself enjoying what I have.
Theres no doubt the new center would be better.

I will be building my own media rack.. However, when i build something i don't usually draw it up before hand... I would say 500$ sounds like a reasonable price. What materials did he use? That would be the big factor.. When i build mine, i will be using Rough cut cedar for the frame. and probably use Cedar deck boards for the shelves.

If he is using Yellow pine, he probably has 1-200$ in materials. However, his time is worth something, and the cost associated with the tools he has had to buy to build you something..


There are only 1 or 2 brands i would consider buying. However, i think building something will result in a MUCH better end product.

I should say that i am a big fan of DIY projects and as much as i can on my own; this is the perspective i am viewing this subject with.

You may want to have a look at my photo in the "Wall O Fame". I am using an older stand from Costco and built a shelf using L brackets to hold my VP180 over the TV. Nothing fancy but it works. How big is your TV? How many components do you need to fit in?

What kind of wood is he proposing, and how big of a cabinet? I built a credenza type tv stand/av cabinet for around $300 in materials out of white oak.

I've got 5 wide components now and will need room for 2 more.
The PS2 and Wii are ontop next to the center now.
Not sure we can live without the drawers.
I'll need to wait until the PS4 is released...
Or TV is a 50" and with the 9-10' viewing distance its just fine.
We will go large with the next one.
I'd really like to incorporate the center which would allow the next screen to sit at a natural veiwing height too.
I currenty have nowhere to build one myself. I also like the idea.
With any luck our next place will have a small shop.