StudioTech E-1 Cantilevered TV Stand Review

This article reviews the StudioTech E-1 Cantilevered TV stand, a high-end and robust piece of furniture designed for plasma, DLP, and LCD displays. StudioTech, a company with a history of building quality TV and hi-fi furniture since 1989, prides itself on high quality and excellent customer service. The E-1 stand features a contemporary, industrial design with floating glass shelves supported by an exposed cantilever steel framework. The steel framework is available in white or silver, complemented by a rich wood veneer back panel and bottom shelf offered in black ash or rosewood. The reviewer chose the black and silver combination for its high-tech aesthetic, suitable for a listening room. The assembly process for the E-1 stand is detailed, highlighting the free shipping service provided by StudioTech, which delivers the substantial furniture on a pallet. The delivery experience underscores the product's robust nature, with the reviewer needing assistance to unload the heavy boxes. The assembly is described as user-friendly, with clear instructions and hardware labeled for each step, a welcome departure from typical A/V furniture assembly experiences. The reviewer enlisted his 10-year-old son, who is adept at mechanical puzzles, to assist with the assembly, demonstrating the clarity and logical flow of the instructions. The components, including the steel frame, E frames, glass, and wood panels, are meticulously packaged to prevent damage during shipping. The initial steps involve bolting heavy-duty casters to the bottom steel frame, followed by attaching the E frames, which support the shelves, into designated slots. The instructions advise leaving bolts loose initially to facilitate alignment. The wooden back panel and bottom shelf, described as solid black board with a beautiful woodgrain, are then installed. The reviewer notes a minor setback where the back panel was initially installed backward, but due to the loose bolts, it was easily corrected. The process includes installing brackets for the glass shelves, which are color-matched to the E frames. The article emphasizes the industrial strength and precise fitting of all components. The installation of the glass shelves is a significant step, involving a massive, 1/2-inch thick, true-tempered glass top shelf, weighing considerably. Rubber bumpers are applied to the E frames before placing the glass. The glass shelves have aluminum disks on the underside that align perfectly with the brackets, secured with bolts and washers. The stand includes a metal center shelf that can be positioned flush with the glass shelves or flipped to create more vertical space for a center channel speaker. The final steps involve installing three removable rear access panels, which can also function as swinging doors for easy component access. The completed assembly took approximately two and a half hours. The reviewer then loaded the stand with a Samsung 46" DLP HDTV and various audio components, including NHT Verve Large speakers, a Rotel receiver, a DVD player, an Emotiva IPS-1 amp, and an MMC-1 processor. The casters allowed for easy movement of the stand, facilitating access to the rear panels for wiring. A minor observation was made regarding the rear cutout not extending low enough for easy access to all connectors on the bottom shelf, although ample depth was available. The StudioTech E-1 is praised for its striking, sophisticated, and incredibly functional design, rock-solid build quality, and ample space for components, even heavy amplifiers. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty and is priced at $1499, positioning it as a premium product for serious home theater enthusiasts. #StudioTechE1 #TVStandReview #HomeTheaterFurniture #AudioVideoFurniture #CantileveredDesign #IndustrialDesign #PremiumFurniture #AVEquipment #StudioTechE1 #TVStandReview #HomeTheaterFurniture #AudioVideoFurniture #CantileveredDesign #IndustrialDesign #PremiumFurniture #AVEquipment

221 months ago

Read Full Article