When it comes to setting up the perfect home theater or audio system, one of the most important decisions you can make concerns the placement of your components. While it’s certainly possible to just set your receiver or DVD player anywhere, there are several reasons why you should take the time to set up a dedicated space for your equipment. By and large, audio/video equipment is expensive, so it just makes sense that you should do everything you can to keep your equipment looking and operating at its best. By selecting an audio tower that coincides with the look of your room, you can ensure that your components will remain protected from the outside world while also providing a clean, organized appearance.

Although selecting audio towers isn’t rocket science, there are some fairly important things to consider before shelling out your hard earned money on a new piece of furniture. The following list represents some of the basic considerations:

1.    Size is Important – although this may seem obvious, often times people rush into buying an audio cabinet because it looks good or because the price is right. While these are both great reasons to purchase a tower, they aren’t the only ones. Before even stepping foot in a retailer (in person or online), it’s critical that you make a list of all the items you plan to store inside of your cabinet. Things like DVD players, receivers (audio and television), CD players, surge protectors and video game systems are just some of the many things that will need to be stored away from view. You should also consider whether you want DVD storage units for your movie collection. Once you have the list, you need to look for towers that have the shelving capacity to house your components. You also need to ensure that you have sufficient space for your television if you plan to place it on top of the cabinet. Of course, if you have an electric projector screen this isn’t so much of a concern. You never want to stack components on top of one another, so be sure to choose a tower that has a separate shelf for each item. Also, it’s important to choose a tower that has a bit more capacity than you need in order to accommodate future components.

2.     Looks Matter – the last thing you want to do is to purchase the cheapest tower available in order to save a few bucks. Even if it means waiting another couple of months, it’s worth paying more for something that looks good. During the research phase of your purchase, you’ll quickly realize that prices range a lot for these towers, so be sure to establish your budget wisely. You’ll likely want to purchase a piece that fits in well with the rest of your furniture, though we’ll leave that decision up to you. Keep in mind, however, that you will want to select something that is more or less “future proof.” In other words, a tower is not something you should need to replace every few years.

3.    Access is Critical – the cabinet you choose should allow you to easily access your components. You shouldn’t have to get into some awkward position in order to get to your equipment. Also, the cabinet should have slots to allow for efficient cable management and for sufficient ventilation.

Choosing an audio tower is simple as long as you follow the basic criteria laid out below. By taking the time to research your purchase, you will be better positioned to end up with a tower that can last you a lifetime.

If you’re fortunate enough to own a high end audio or video system, chances are good that you want the ability to display your system while also keeping it protected. Since you’ve made it this far, I’ll assume that you’re already aware of the many options that exist on the market in terms of audio racks, though you’re probably not entirely sure of the information needed to purchase one of your own.

As someone that appreciates the performance that comes from a high end A/V system, you know that it doesn’t make sense to store your components just anywhere. Leaving your system exposed can increase your chances of having it damaged by pets, visitors or even your own children. Besides, storing your devices in an organized way just looks more professional and can be a great way to round out the look of your entire system.

When it comes to selecting an audio tower, the best thing you can do is to search online, as this will provide you with a great overview of the various possibilities that exist. A quick online search will uncover many different types of audio towers including those made from wood, plastic, glass and even metal. Before deciding on the type of finish, however, it’s important to take stock of what needs to be stored. By adding up the various pieces of your system you will be able to purchase something with enough capacity to house everything you own. In addition to the things you already own, it’s a good idea to leave a bit of extra capacity for future upgrades or additions. Ideally, each component should reside on its own shelf so that it has enough physical space

Because the tower you choose will depend largely on the size of your system and your own personal preferences in terms of appearance, it’s difficult to pinpoint an exact price range. The good news is that there are cabinets available to suit just about any budget. With that said, it’s important to spend as much as you can reasonably afford on your purchase, as your audio system is likely to be the focal point of your room.