| With the wide variety of Hifi audio equipment available | | | | the lifespan of sound equipment by preventing |
| today, it can be difficult to know which items are truly | | | | overheat- which ultimately results in the equipment |
| a good deal for a high quality product, and which are | | | | shutting down. Allowing equipment to "breathe," |
| better left on the shelf. As the best of the best in | | | | meaning run at the correct temperature, greatly |
| audio-visual systems become more finely tuned to | | | | improves its long-term performance. Have it all out in |
| produce the best and most completely detailed | | | | the open, and still keep stereo equipment looking |
| reproductions of recordings, the conditions under which | | | | organized and clean with cable management through a |
| they operate most efficiently also become more | | | | designated location in the back of hifi stands. This |
| specific. The home audio enthusiast has come up with | | | | eliminates unsightly cable clutter. |
| a variety of ways to maximize the output, including the | | | | The best part may just be that as a home's collection |
| use of hifi stands, also known as audio/AV racks. | | | | of quality high definition equipment grows, many hifi |
| Available from many sources worldwide, these stands | | | | stands can grow with it. Those looking to build a sound |
| are more than just the average piece of furniture- | | | | system choose hifi stands that stack and expand, |
| noted not only for their functionality but sleek sense of | | | | allowing a quick solution to space issues. Start with a |
| design. | | | | base, 2 shelf unit, and grow from there. For those who |
| To understand high fidelity is to know a bit about its | | | | already have specialized equipment, the shelves of |
| history. The term refers very briefly to the quality of | | | | these versatile storage units can be raised and lifted to |
| sound and image reproduction achieved by an audio | | | | accommodate even the bulkiest digital audio device. |
| AV system. The ideal system produces output that is | | | | The convenience of stackable units is this flexibility to |
| as close as possible to the original recording. Ideally, | | | | add and subtract height from the stand. |
| these systems eliminate noise and distortion, and put | | | | Hifi stands come in a variety of stylish designs to suit |
| out an accurate frequency response. With widespread | | | | any living or entertainment space. Sleek finishes include |
| use of the term stemming out of the 1950's, at first it | | | | dark cherry, piano black glass, arctic frost, silver |
| was more of a marketing term to simply describe the | | | | metallic, and graphite metallic, to name a few. The |
| kind of accurate audiovisual reproduction described | | | | glass surfaces are made to be scratch resistant, |
| above. Enthusiasts, known as audiophiles, collected | | | | maintaining a clean, polished appearance. For those |
| individual components for their home systems, each | | | | with wall-mount flat-screen television units, the hifi stand |
| with the hifi stamp of approval (like turntables, tuners, | | | | can be a modern, stream-lined way to support |
| pre amps, power amps, and speakers). By the 1970's | | | | connected audio and DVD equipment. These units can |
| the sort of popular setup was the full entertainment | | | | be as obvious and integral, or subtle and blended as |
| center: phonograph, tuner, cassette player, preamp, and | | | | desired in contrast to the surrounding décor. |
| power amp. | | | | Many stands come with or match with speaker |
| The picture of the ideal hifi setup today involves digital | | | | stands, which add to the quality of sound reproduction |
| audio sources, which include CD players, digital audio | | | | by further eliminating vibrations and correctly positioning |
| tape, digital audio broadcasting (like HD Radio tuners), | | | | sound sources. Also providing wire concealment, |
| an amp, pre amp, and loudspeakers. These days | | | | speaker stands are a great finishing touch to a system |
| many people also connect to a music server, WiFi | | | | already functioning at its prime. |
| equipment, a television set, satellite decoder, and/or | | | | Where can the best hifi stands be purchased? The |
| DVD player. In order to ensure that each of these | | | | internet is a great resource for discovering the most |
| components is functioning at top performance, many | | | | diverse range of colors, styles, makes and materials. |
| audiophiles choose to use a hifi stand to stack their | | | | Anyone with a very specific requirement should begin |
| equipment. Today they are accessible to all home | | | | here. Keep in mind that as with any internet purchase it |
| stereo enthusiasts, as they are sold over a wide price | | | | can be difficult to know exactly what one is getting |
| range. | | | | without seeing the product first. As always, make sure |
| What exactly do these hifi stands provide? For | | | | things like return policies, warranties, delivery details and |
| starters, the flatter the surface the better when it | | | | payment security are discussed before making any |
| comes to a resting place for digital audio sources to | | | | purchases or giving any information over the internet. |
| improve vibration dampening, deadening, and leveling. | | | | Read other user's comments, as these can be a great |
| Many hifi stands come equipped with thick shelves | | | | source of good advice, and nonbiased opinions. Also |
| made of glass, or another incredibly sturdy material. To | | | | try any local audio equipment location where sound |
| increase stability even further, elect hifi stands which | | | | equipment is sold. These stores will either have |
| can be filled with sand or another additive. This weight | | | | speaker stands in stock, or be able to assist the buyer |
| will keep each piece of equipment stable and | | | | in locating a nearby establishment with the desired |
| stationary, exactly as it should be. When looking at hifi | | | | merchandise. |
| stand features, the best have shelves which are | | | | When looking to upgrade audio equipment storage to |
| isolated. This serves to dampen vibrations caused by | | | | a hifi stand, be sure to consider the specific needs, and |
| other equipment including speakers. Some go as far as | | | | quality of the stereo system at hand. Even the best hifi |
| to isolate each shelf using ball bearings, and place | | | | stand can only make a middle of the road system |
| neoprene pads at points of isolation. Tweaks such as | | | | function at the best of its ability, not better. Weigh the |
| these can make a real difference in achieving sonic | | | | options and budget available, and the result is sure to |
| refinement. | | | | be the perfect audio furniture addition to any home |
| Hifi stands utilize an open-air design to help increase | | | | audio/visual system. |