Audiav Crystal Series C4 AV Rack Review

Introduction

What could be exciting about a rack that holds your A/V gear? I’ve had many such devices come and go over the years and, until now, I've never given them much thought. I never considered the A/V rack to be an integral part of the system. Audiav, a company I wasn’t even familiar with until they contacted me about a review, was pretty gung-ho about their product being vastly different, and according to their CEO, industry trend-setting. My skeptical side kicked in and I thought to myself "Great, another company trying to push an AV rack on me that won't meet my needs." I figured it would either: a) not have the proper width or depth to handle my equipment, b) fail to have enough support on each shelve to rest my 100lb+ amplifiers, or c) have aesthetics that only the Borg could appreciate.

Audiav fed me the sales pitch about their racks, pointed me to a website that seemed pretty basic to navigate though lacked some of the details I was looking for. But there were some redeeming qualities to what I was seeing about their products. I noted the very diverse configurability of their shelving systems, and the fact their racks come in a wide variety of heights. Their shelves are 19.25” W x 23.2” D which will virtually house any known A/V equipment out there including my old favorite Aragon 110lbs 8008x5 5CH amplifier that measures in at nearly two feet deep! Try fitting that on your run of the mill A/V rack.

I set aside my skepticism for the moment, and ordered a 4’ version (hence the name C4) of the Crystal rack in black to match my 7’ tall Middle Atlantic rack. My unit was configured with 4 shelves, 1 of which had the extra support and EMI/RFI shielding with the magnetic shield option. I also ordered additional cross braces for added structural support. My only hope was that the Audiav rack didn’t look cheap or have shoddy build quality in comparison to my Middle Atlantic rack, and that it was truly sturdy enough to handle the serious poundage I was going to place upon it.

Build Quality

According to Audiav, the Crystal Series A/V Rack from Audiav is designed for the serious audiophile & videophile interested in a noticeable upgrade in system performance through "authentic element shields and anti-resonant engineering". I would be the first to question whether or not a rack can in fact “improve” the performance of your equipment, but will concede that a stable, non-resonant shelving platform is a good thing, especially for DVD transports, turntables and gaming systems. With that in mind, I noted many of the unique features found on the Crystal Series A/V Rack system that makes it stand out among all of its peers.

• User defined infinitely adjustable vertical component spacing
• Modular frame allows expansion with other Crystal Series designs
• Inherent 'Child-resistant', 'Pet-resistant' and 'Future proof' configurations to elevate gear
• Jewel encrusted, hand labored stainless steel Audiav shelf badging with serial number
• Add or remove extra shelves as needed and as new audio / video formats progress
• Extensive decoupled frame-to-platform anti-resonance protection for sonic perfection
• Integrated Advanced Dual Wire Management capabilities for wire separation
• Three to eight point adjustable shelf platform plane to framework support
• Massive 400+ pound weight capability (w/ Signature & Crossbars) per infinitely adjustable shelf
• Open side panels and headroom for thermal heat dissipation and easy hook-up
• Rock solid even stance with included adjustable leveling feet
• Active / passive Earth ground link terminal topology
• Completely collapsible in seconds allowing for easy single person relocation
• Seamless heavyweight adjustable frame jointing and supports
• Majestic styling with décor-matching optional exotic fascia
• Endless upgradeability and equipment compatibility options
• Coating, anodizing and custom sized units available
• Bubble level, measuring tape and slide lock keys included
• Optional Granite Signature EMI+ shielded shelf
• Optional Composite Signature EMI+ shielded shelf
• Optional EMF Magnetic Gauss Shielding for Signature shelves
• Optional styling with Decor Matching Fascia & Side Kits
• Optional extra Advanced Wire Management sections
• Optional Heavyweight Crossbar / AudiavNet support designs
• Optional custom coating, anodizing and sized units available
• Optional removable Extra Shelf expands the number of slots for your components

Audiav's optional fifteen (15) layer Signature shelf platform can be EMF / Magnetic Gauss shielded to “eliminate” problems caused by large magnet structures, transformers and high current devices forming disturbances. According to Audiav, their Signature Shelving system is the world's only thermally isolated, precisely layered 2" thick shelf with patented EMI / RFI induction shielding, ESD protection, vibration & jitter absorption layering which is said to block unwanted interference while allowing massive weight handling. Element shields are layered in precise order to block all forms of radiation / induction. Sidebar supports are easily unlocked with infinite height adjustment. Signature Shelving can also be ordered with a high-mass Granite top.

Editorial Note on EMI/RFI Shielding of Shelves

While it’s a nice sentiment to go through these measures in attempting to reduce EMI/RFI issues, I must point out that only a true Faraday cage encasing the trouble source component can fully eliminate such issues (if they occur). In speaking with Audiav about this, they claim that their shelving system does not do 100% absorption but reduces emissions by redirection of nearfield interference of electronics in which the plates are in between. While I was unable to validate this claim, I must point out that a shielded shelf may offer partial nearfield shielding at very low frequencies, but once the shield is broken via gaps and/or wires connecting to the outside world, than it must be grounded to prevent it from radiating induced emissions from the cables which are coupling energy around the shield to the outside world. Shield effectiveness is determined by the leakage at seams and joints, not by shield effectiveness of the material itself.

That being said, most competently designed A/V gear already does a good job at EMI/RFI noise suppression via proper board layout, filtered inputs/outputs, no right angle traces, plenty of ground plane, etc. This especially applies to the stuff that is certified and goes thru regulatory testing so it can be sold throughout the global marketplace. Thus, the extent of shielding needed in a rack for most installations is minimal if at all existent. I certainly never run across a situation that required it.

While the added precautions in these type of shelves won’t cause any harm, I suggest first putting your budget towards getting the right rack size and required number of shelves. Everything else after that is just gravy. It’s important to note that the Audiav upgraded shelves do offer magnetic shielding, and have inert layered masses for greater weight handling and anti vibration countermeasures. These shelves look like a million bucks and can certainly pack on the weight if asked so that in itself may be worth its admission price for some consumers.

If you think Audiav's Signature Shelving is impressive, imagine using the shelf platforms which a virtually infinitely adjustable framework that holds large & heavy equipment, while allowing you to add, move and remove shelving, as system needs change. The adjustable shelving in Audiav's Crystal Series allows the heights of each shelf to be adjusted to make the rack look like it was custom designed for any equipment and setup. And since the design is modular, you can custom design around any number of equipment and attach other racks to form large entertainment centers. Very cool.

Inspecting the design of this rack, I noted how inert the shelves were. They made a thud sound when I tapped on them. The columns had a bit of a hollow sound to them, but Audiav claims you can mass load them if you desire. I didn’t take that additional measure as I didn’t have lead shot or dry sand to take advantage of it. The side rails also had a hollow sonic signature when tapped. I was surprised Audiav didn’t do more to deaden them, but considering that the shelving system is very inert and floating on the rack framing, this is probably a minor concern at best. Also mass loading the columns at the factory would lead to higher shipping which is not in the best interest of the manufacturer or consumer. In speaking with Audiav about this, they informed me that they do offer fascia kits which can reduce the "hollow" sound should that be a concern.

Set-Up

Never have I seen an A/V Rack better packed than this one. Everything was double wrapped and boxed, neatly separated by parts, and logically arranged for easy identification. From the moment I began unpacking this product, I knew I was dealing with a world class manufacturer that prides itself in quality of workmanship, while respecting the consumer by ensuring their product will arrive unadulterated by the local courier.

I began the set-up process by neatly unpacking and separating all of the components, keeping the 20 “Quick Step” installation sheet nearby. I have to admit, I was a bit overwhelmed at first, looking at all of the components and accessories, but I knew this wasn’t beyond my abilities and I was determined to see this product fully assembled in all of its glory.

The tool kit that this A/V rack equipment came with was most impressive. I especially loved the cat burglar style suction cups they supplied (which Audiav refers to as “one man movers”). The purpose of this device is to simplify moving the shelves into position. Trust me they are extremely useful, especially on the very heavy EMI/RFI upgraded shelve. The level, ruler and OJ style gloves came in quite handy as well. I found myself needing no additional tools other than what the manufacturer supplied to set up this rack. In fact, I liked the quality of the toolset so much that I have since then added most of the components to my toolbox to use for other applications.

The first step was to build the ladder portions of the rack which went together quite smoothly, though extra precaution should be heeded to ensure you twist the cams a full 180 degrees to ensure they are properly locked into the posts. In fact, it's so important that this is done properly, that Audiav goes out of their way to warn the installer about NOT placing equipment on the shelves unless all of the cams are properly locked and to NEVER attempt adjusting the shelves once they are loaded. When a company prints a sheet with big BOLD text “Attention” and warning of serious injury or death if you don’t properly follow their instructions, I would suggest reading it and acquiescing.

While assembling this unit, I noted the instructions could have been a bit more descriptive and of course more visuals would have helped. But, I managed to get the entire rack assembled in about an hour or so. I did however take a few good notes worth mentioning so you don’t run into the same pitfalls that I did.

• It’s best to put the rack frame together before installing the shelves.
• If desired shelving height is less than 12”, you will need to insert them from the side of the rack before putting the rack into position. If you don’t have lateral clearance you'll want to insert these early before final positioning of the rack. Don’t make the mistake of recognizing this after the fact like I did.
• Inserting the cross members is a bit of a chore, especially on the last one which I had to use my handy rubber mallet to whack it into place.
• The bottom cross brace goes on before assembling the two stair columns.
• Remember that the desired shelf adjustment is achieved thru the use of a floating channel which locks in place by applying 180 degrees of torque to the screws. Double check each one to ensure this was properly done!

Getting that cross member system in place (far left pic) was perhaps the most challenging aspect of this assembly, but it was a well needed measure as I planned to stack some pretty hefty gear on this rack. With the ability to hold over 400lbs on the top shelf, 300 lbs on the bottom shelf, and over 80lbs on each subsequent shelf, I can rest well at night knowing that the Audiav A/V rack can safely house pretty much any conceivable piece of AV gear I fathom to place on it. Over the course of the next few months, I will put it to the test and report my results in subsequent reviews.

The beautiful Audiav logo (middle pic) with embedded crystal really finished off the rack nicely. This is no wimpy rack, check out this amazing structure (right pic) just begging to be stacked with heavy high-end gear. Notice the shelves are all resting on decouplers to reduce any chassis vibration.

As a very cool added precaution, Audiav provides a grounding post terminal on the frame of this rack. All you do is insert the supplied clamp into one of the posts of the rack and screw it down over your grounding wires and attach the other end of the wire to your central ground (if you have one). I usually recommend a STAR grounding scheme which is essentially a single grounding point for all of your equipment.

Wire Management – Usually Mismanagement

Wire management is an essential and often overlooked consideration when putting together an A/V rack to furnish your system. I have seen far too many unpalatable systems offered from other manufacturers. I was pleasantly surprised with Audiav’s solution. It was simple, and practical. They offer two different size plastic molded cases that simply snap onto the rack columns as easy as pie. For the small version (about 1.25” wide), all you do is push your cables through the open end, then squeeze the case together while you snap it onto the rack column. The large version (about 1.5” wide x 2” deep) has an open back to route your cables through and a mating glide rail to slide onto the rack column. This is about the easiest and most practical cable management one could hope for in an A/V rack.

Conclusion

Overall, the Audiav Crystal C4 A/V rack was one of the easiest racks I have assembled and certainly the sturdiest. With respect to build quality, adjustment flexibility, and aesthetics, this rack is without peer in its price class. It is certainly constructed of “sterner stuff” (Optimus Prime would be proud of it), not typically found in any rack system I have encountered which will securely house the very best and consequently heaviest gear on the market. Its open design architecture allows you easy access to the components and cabling which is imperative for someone like me who changes out equipment more frequently than Paris Hilton gets busted by the law.

This rack will dress up your system nicely and likely serve as a conversation piece among your friends. I can tell you in the few weeks I have had it installed in my theater room, it instantly became the topic of conversation among people seeing it for the first time.

While this rack is by no means inexpensive, I can tell you that whoever claimed "it’s inexpensive to be hip and trendy" is, in fact, neither. If you have the funds and a virtually bullet proof, ergonomic, cost no object A/V rack is what you are looking for, then I suggest you strongly consider a rack system from Audiav.

For those with bigger budgets and even heavier equipment, consider the Diamond Series which are designed to hold the World's most brutally heavy (700lb) Krell Master Reference Series MRA amplifiers in a strong & infinitely adjustable system. For more budget oriented consumers with lighter equipment profiles, the Zirconia Series designs have a smaller footprint & a much lower price point with thinner uprights/framework able to support loads <150 lbs.

Be warned however, as the Crystal series rack may cause equipment envy for lesser-designed gear. Make sure your equipment is up for being housed in a structure of such extraordinary stature.

Audiav

http://www.audiav.com

Email:
contact@audiav.com

Sales:
sales@audiav.com

About Audiav

Audiav started as a "big idea" in 1995, when an audiophile stepped back and noticed something odd; listening rooms were filled with a/v components, sprawled throughout the floors, taking up massive amounts of space. When he asked why the floors were filled with equipment that should normally be in a rack, he was told that there were many reasons why a suitable "rack" didn't exist; the amps were so tall or heavy that they couldn't fit in standard racks, the components generate so much heat that the standard rack materials were inadequate, multiple types of interference between the components stacked closely together was wholly unacceptable, and finally, the high-end furniture manufacturers could not solve the issue of how to combine all of the above mentioned elements while maintaining aesthetic appeal. In a moment of clarity, the proverbial "light bulb" turned "on" and Audiav was formed. In their search to design the perfect a/v furniture system, Audiav scoured the globe pulling expertise from Defense, aeronautical and metallurgic engineering sectors while bonding with top designers in Germany, Italy, and the United States. Audiav set out to build the absolute, "no-hype needed" system that addressed every need of the true a/v enthusiast/aficionado. Thus, in 2000, Audiav utilized years of customer research to emerge as the quintessential reference audio furniture designer, by blending customizable art into a perfectly functional design. Audiav has since been designing unique reference a/v furniture for some of the world's most luxurious residences including homes in Paris, Aspen, LA, and New York, while also catering to the many suburbanite's underground "basement" audio shrines around the world.

The Score Card

The scoring below is based on each piece of equipment doing the duty it is designed for. The numbers are weighed heavily with respect to the individual cost of each unit, thus giving a rating roughly equal to:

Performance × Price Factor/Value = Rating

Audioholics.com note: The ratings indicated below are based on subjective listening and objective testing of the product in question. The rating scale is based on performance/value ratio. If you notice better performing products in future reviews that have lower numbers in certain areas, be aware that the value factor is most likely the culprit. Other Audioholics reviewers may rate products solely based on performance, and each reviewer has his/her own system for ratings.

Audioholics Rating Scale

• — Excellent
• — Very Good
• — Good
• — Fair
• — Poor

Metric	Rating
Build Quality
Ergonomics & Usability
Ease of Setup/Programming/Integration
Fit and Finish
Performance
Value