A/V Furniture Helps Consumers Enjoy Holiday CE Gifts

By Lisa Johnston On Jan 7 2008 - 8:00am

New and updated A/V furniture models are becoming available just in time for all those consumers who purchased, or received, flat-panel TVs and video game consoles during the holidays. TWICE collected a roundup of some of the latest additions to the market.

Acoustic Innovations announced two additions to its CinemaChair line: the EuroTech and the Monaco.

The two additions extend the company's CinemaChair lineup to 10 designs.

The EuroTech is designed to be reminiscent of Italian styling and luxury, said the company, and it features curved arms and back and solid construction. Meanwhile, the Monaco "owes design inspiration to the finest performance automobiles."

As with most of the CinemaChair line, both seats are available in three widths and three heights, in single or joined seat and arm combinations, loveseats or sofas. Four arm options are available, and console tables are offered in two widths. The chairs also come with selectable seat firmness and multiple metal cup-holder finishes. Hundreds of leather and fabric choices are offered.

As with most CinemaChairs, said the company in a release, the EuroTech and Monaco are designed with a patented wall-saver mechanism that enables minimal placement from the back wall. The PowerGlide mechanism allows users to select the position of the CinemaChair's recline anywhere between completely upright and fully reclined. Also available are three varieties of actuator style and placement, as well as integrated heat and massage systems.

Since the chairs are sold modularly, pricing depends on layout, and options and materials greatly affect the price, Robert Ruderman, national sales manager for Acoustic Innovations, told TWICE. "As a broad range, both seats will go from $2,400 to over $5,000 each."

The two models are currently shipping.

Atlantic will be showing two gaming centers at International CES, being held this week in Las Vegas. The centers are designed to meet all the storage, organizational and functional needs of the avid console gamer.

The Transformer gaming center accommodates up to four consoles with accessories. Measuring 18 inches long by 16 inches wide by 32 inches high, the center can accommodate TVs up to 20 inches and weighing up to 30 pounds. It's made of polyvinyl chloride over wood veneer, chrome laced polycarbonate (fans), blue cathode lights, steel backbone and surge protector cradle, and has a black matte finish.

The Transformer center can store a TV, three game consoles, six controllers, 20 games and a 16-inch surge protector. Four fully revolving wheels are at each bottom corner. Fans and lighting are powered by a built-in power cord and on/off switch.

It has a $199 suggested retail and will be available in March.

The second center, the Stealth entertainment center, measures 54 inches long by 21.5 inches wide by 24 inches high. It is an eco-friendly, easy-transport and multifunctional unit, said the company, and can accommodate 50-inch TVs, A/V components, vertical and horizontal gaming consoles or small computers. The top shelf holds TVs weighing up to 135 pounds. Four A/V components or vertical gaming consoles can fit on the remaining four shelves.

Each shelf is made of tempered glass, 0.24 inches in thickness, accommodating up to 25 pounds in weight. Storage includes remote-control caddy, media-storage drawer with 15 DVD in case and five CD without case capacity, and central storage unit. The central storage unit has two compartments that accommodate a vertical gaming console or small computer and a surge protector. It also has cut-outs on the back panel for wire management along with cut-outs on side panels for easy wire access to components on all four shelves. A bottom panel with integrated ventilation design is meant to prevent overheating, and an easy-access door, made of infrared transmissive fabric, allows the consumer to get to the components inside the central storage unit and control the components with the door closed.

The Stealth comes with floor levelers to eliminate the problems associated with uneven floors. It will be available in March for a $299 suggested retail.

Icon Furniture Collections' Palazzo wall unit is constructed to mount flat-panel TVs at a slanted, angled design that enables storage below the TV. It features three drawers at the base of the unit: two large drawers and one smaller one with a center component storage space.

The unit has a sliding door on the left side with two floating wood shelves and two fixed wood shelves. It measures 136 inches wide by 64 inches high with a 17.5-inch diameter, and can be used with flat-panel TVs measuring 48 inches wide by 39 inches high with a 12.5-inch diameter, and it is offered in a variety of finishes.

Sanus Systems has introduced a new category to its Foundations furniture collections: the Vertical Foundations on-wall furniture line.

Scheduled to become available next month, the four units of wall-mountable furniture are designed for A/V components. They are meant to be easy to install; installation is completed by securing the quick-release mounting brackets using the supplied hardware.

Models VF2012 ($169 suggested retail) and VF2022 ($269) feature easy leveling, post-installation height adjustment, two wire-management channels, and two adjustable smoked-glass shelves that support up to 50 pounds each.

The modular front panels of the VF5022 ($379) and VF5023 ($469) are designed with black glass panels or wood back panels. These models feature height and lateral adjustments, a wire-management channel and three smoked-glass shelves that support up to 75 pounds each.

All four models are available in a black finish and offer tool-free shelf installation with tempered glass.

Techcraft recently introduced two credenzas and a glass stand designed for A/V components.

The SWBL-48 credenza measures 48 inches and is designed to fit flat-panel TVs that are 50 inches and smaller. It features curved legs, molded top and rectangular wire management panels in the rear. The credenza retails for a suggested $299 and will be available in February.

The second credenza, model SWBL-60, measures 60 inches and can be used with flat-panel TVs of the same size or smaller. It features a center-channel section with a black grille and a rectangular wire management panel in the rear like the SWBL-48. Also available in February, it has a $399 suggested retail.

The third model, BEL57B, is a gunmetal and silkscreen black glass stand that is designed for flat-panel TVs 57 inches and smaller. The glass measures 10 mm thick. Available in February, it has a $399 suggested retail.

SolaraHome can also be found at CES this week, showing its Mistral collection. Touted as a highly functional media room sofa, the Mistral transforms into a loveseat with two flanking manual recliners. It features top grain leather with matched leatherette siding and is available in a black or dark brown leather. Fold-down arm rests offer extra space for beverages and a hidden floor-level sliding receptacle is meant for media players and game systems. An optional ottoman with internal storage for additional comfort and functionality is available.

Soundations announced late last year that it had expanded its Designs Unlimited product line. A South African designer/manufacturer, Designs Unlimited offers various flat-panel TV and A/V component furniture.

Designs Unlimited products include 21 models in the Designer series, 12 models in the Audiophile series, four models in the Videophile series, three media storage products and three speaker stands.

All of the Design Unlimited products are constructed of wood veneer, and they come in seven finishes: maple, redwood, cherry, wenge, black, silver and glass.

The pieces use various combinations of damping, absorption and mechanical coupling to ensure effective acoustic isolation, said the company, and all models feature "infinite height adjustments."

Pricing ranges are as follows: Designer series, $839 to $2,999; Audiophile series, $699 to $2,199; Videophile series, $799 to $1,699; media storage, $1,399 to $2,499; and speaker stands, $329 to $749. All are currently available.

Finally, the Silhouette 65 from Bell'O is billed by the company as a stylish way to house a flat-panel TV and A/V components. It can fit most flat-panel TVs up to 65 inches and comes with integrated cable management. Offered in fruitwood or espressro, the Silhouete is scheduled to be available Jan. 15 for a $1,249 suggested retail.