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Hi-Fi

Anyone know much about cooling and ventilating AV kit?

I've converted the space under my stairs into an AV cupboard and it's starting to get really hot. I'm not allowed to vent into the hallway or leave the doors open (wife's instructions), so I suspect the only option is venting out (the back wall is external) but I'm open to clever ideas.

The next question is how much I need to do in order to vent - will just an open vent allow the hot air to escape? Do I need to have a fan take the air out and hope that cooling the cupboard will cool the kit? Or do I have to put cooling on each item and attach that to an external vent? Although this is not in the room I use for watching films, there isn't a solid door between them, only the plywood cupboard door. That means any solution would need to be reasonably quiet.

Is it in a rack, how much of the space does it take up within your cupboard, how many items in kit pulling power at one time?
If its in a rack and there's a reasonable space around the rack then you can get tray mounted pc fans for each shelf or piece of kit.
All you should need is to circulate the air within the cupboard but i would try and get a discrete vent for the door, or depending wether you have carpeted stairs on an upright behind the carpet.
 
One thing you may need to watch out for is the heat shrinking the treads and risers on the stairs if too much heat builds up for too long
 
I just bought a pair of Focal Shape 50 monitors for the home studio. Goddamn, it's a beautiful pair of speakers. :D
 
Focal Shape 50 monitors. Goddamn, beautiful
I am disappoint. Was expecting some big purple swirling statue or something.
365x365xfocal_shape_50_pair.jpg.pagespeed.ic.EnKlTeNlAo.webp
 
Is it in a rack, how much of the space does it take up within your cupboard, how many items in kit pulling power at one time?
If its in a rack and there's a reasonable space around the rack then you can get tray mounted pc fans for each shelf or piece of kit.
All you should need is to circulate the air within the cupboard but i would try and get a discrete vent for the door, or depending wether you have carpeted stairs on an upright behind the carpet.
I plan to rack it eventually.

Currently the PC (mini tower) is stood alone on the floor.
The rest is currently on a corner unit with a decent bit of clearance above each item. Bottom level is a Sky Q box, PS4 and a Vero 4K on the middle level and the amp on the top shelf with no shelf above.

So there's enough clearance for fans, but I don't want to just blow air away from each item if I'm not venting the whole cupboard as I assume the heat will just increase over time. If I'm venting the cupboard out then it seems a little superfluous to air cool each item individually.

Is there a way to attach ducts to the fans over each item and direct the air out? Or can I use one extractor fan and use ducting to pull air in from over them?
 
I plan to rack it eventually.

Currently the PC (mini tower) is stood alone on the floor.
The rest is currently on a corner unit with a decent bit of clearance above each item. Bottom level is a Sky Q box, PS4 and a Vero 4K on the middle level and the amp on the top shelf with no shelf above.

So there's enough clearance for fans, but I don't want to just blow air away from each item if I'm not venting the whole cupboard as I assume the heat will just increase over time. If I'm venting the cupboard out then it seems a little superfluous to air cool each item individually.

Is there a way to attach ducts to the fans over each item and direct the air out? Or can I use one extractor fan and use ducting to pull air in from over them?
If you put in a vent, that itself should be enough. Just be sure that it is as high up as possible, and perhaps add an air intake somewhere low. Cold air will then be drawn in, and hot air go out the higher placed vent. That should be sufficient. If not, you can add a fan to the vent.
Edit: The air inlet should be at least the same size, preferably a little bit bigger, than the outlet vent.
 
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I plan to rack it eventually.

Currently the PC (mini tower) is stood alone on the floor.
The rest is currently on a corner unit with a decent bit of clearance above each item. Bottom level is a Sky Q box, PS4 and a Vero 4K on the middle level and the amp on the top shelf with no shelf above.

So there's enough clearance for fans, but I don't want to just blow air away from each item if I'm not venting the whole cupboard as I assume the heat will just increase over time. If I'm venting the cupboard out then it seems a little superfluous to air cool each item individually.

Is there a way to attach ducts to the fans over each item and direct the air out? Or can I use one extractor fan and use ducting to pull air in from over them?

If you circulate the air within he cupboard you should be fine. Unless your amp runs really hot I don't see anything there that will cause problems. Be glad its a P.S., my old Xbox could heat Wembley when it was going.
Try airplate t7s, they did used to be available on Amazon.
AV and computer cabinets are much less sturdy than stairs and don't shrink with heat, so i think your stairs will be fine. I would try venting the cupboard is some way though.
 
Any of our resident audiophiles got much to say about Devialet?

They have a shop near my work and have been promoting them this week, quite pricey for a wireless speaker but impressive output...
 
Any of our resident audiophiles got much to say about Devialet?

They have a shop near my work and have been promoting them this week, quite pricey for a wireless speaker but impressive output...
Was much hype around them, and I was really curious and had high expectations. I previously owned a PA rental company, and there is nothing like a big PA where you really feel the bass punching you.
My expectations where that this was gonna be a small format stadium PA.
I was bitterly disappointed. It was underwhelming and very overprised.
 
Any of our resident audiophiles got much to say about Devialet?

They have a shop near my work and have been promoting them this week, quite pricey for a wireless speaker but impressive output...

I ended up getting an LS50 wireless and the sound is as clean as anything I’ve heard. Perfect for home use and plenty of volume without distortion.

I needed a pre amp for the record player and got some discrete stands but otherwise that’s it! No amp required.


Sitting on my porcelain throne using glory-glory.co.uk mobile app
 
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20200613_221012.jpg Just to refresh this thread, these are my current main speakers. Low range System Audio Saxo 40. I've upgraded the network by replacing all capacitors with sonicaps, upgraded to air core inductors and bypassed the speaker connectors by soldering the inputs directly to the network. I've also replaced the cheap internal stuffing with 1"felt and added a layer of bitumen padding in critical places, to reduce and eliminate cabinet resonances and standing waves.
This cheap upgrade has transformed these low end hi-fi speakers from low end to high end! I've compared them to €5000 speakers, and my €700 (with upgrades) SA Audios outperform them in every way!
 
View attachment 8760 Just to refresh this thread, these are my current main speakers. Low range System Audio Saxo 40. I've upgraded the network by replacing all capacitors with sonicaps, upgraded to air core inductors and bypassed the speaker connectors by soldering the inputs directly to the network. I've also replaced the cheap internal stuffing with 1"felt and added a layer of bitumen padding in critical places, to reduce and eliminate cabinet resonances and standing waves.
This cheap upgrade has transformed these low end hi-fi speakers from low end to high end! I've compared them to €5000 speakers, and my €700 (with upgrades) SA Audios outperform them in every way!
Nice handbag.
 
View attachment 8760 Just to refresh this thread, these are my current main speakers. Low range System Audio Saxo 40. I've upgraded the network by replacing all capacitors with sonicaps, upgraded to air core inductors and bypassed the speaker connectors by soldering the inputs directly to the network. I've also replaced the cheap internal stuffing with 1"felt and added a layer of bitumen padding in critical places, to reduce and eliminate cabinet resonances and standing waves.
This cheap upgrade has transformed these low end hi-fi speakers from low end to high end! I've compared them to €5000 speakers, and my €700 (with upgrades) SA Audios outperform them in every way!


I found getting mine out the box enough of a challenge.
It's good to read about these things but I don't understand any of it.
Thanks for sharing though mate.
 
Anyone looking for a new hi-fi, these are potentially a great value, used option: https://homeavdirect.co.uk/kef-lsx-...sSJPEMYUjhBIVQhjrTOREFWiiyaS5yJxoCwZcQAvD_BwE

Don't need anything else. They have an inbuilt driver in each speaker, which is set up specifically for the speaker (don't need to match the amp to the speaker and all that nonsense it's all designed and setup by KEF). The results are less clutter and amazing clear sound. And they look decent in a room.
 
Anyone looking for a new hi-fi, these are potentially a great value, used option: https://homeavdirect.co.uk/kef-lsx-...sSJPEMYUjhBIVQhjrTOREFWiiyaS5yJxoCwZcQAvD_BwE

Don't need anything else. They have an inbuilt driver in each speaker, which is set up specifically for the speaker (don't need to match the amp to the speaker and all that nonsense it's all designed and setup by KEF). The results are less clutter and amazing clear sound. And they look decent in a room.

the link set off Malware warning:eek:
 
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