Functional, strong, expandable.

Poor fit and finish (black), sub-standard materials (black doors),
expanding requires substantial disassembly. Value.

This system is highly configurable and has a variety of finishes and
accessories. The online configuration tool is quite handy. I bought
the S20 triple with perforated side panels, perforated doors, black
posts, black main panels, standard feet ant back panels. List was
~$1200, I bought during a 20% off sale.

Packaging was quite good, my unit was unblemished. Assembly is pretty
straightforward. It's essentially high-priced Ikea style construction
needing a minimum number of tools and consisting of several common parts
to make a variety of configurations. Custom, it really is not.

Directions are mostly clear. Basic versions of tools are provided
(including a small bubble level, and handy spacing ruler). One huge
caveat - since support brackets ride in channels of the posts, you must
plan accordingly. Otherwise you will have to disassemble what you just
put together. Also, adding additional shelves, door, drawers, etc.,
will require the same disassembly/reassembly. It's like a stack of
Legos - you have to pull off the top ones to add or replace one further
down.

The unit holds a great deal and is very stable. And it looks nice. Now
for the not-so-nice.

Be forewarned, if you order in black, the surface is not stained veneer
like the other surfaces. It is a lightly textured black paint. Who
knows the quality of the panel underneath. The black doors are not
solid wood (even like a cheap kitchen cabinet door). It is molded saw
dust and glue. The middle panel is snapped into place with a cheap
rubber gasket, not mitered in like a cabinet door. The doors do not
adjust horizontally enough to close the significant gap between door and
post. No shims are provided.

The unit's depth should be extended. Most decent receivers these days
are deep and cables extend several inches beyond where the standard back
panels would be attached. At $129 per panel, the extended version is a
waste of money for some stamped sheet metal. At $129 for a pair of
doors made of glue and sawdust, I feel ripped off. Adding a drawer is
$129 (and a bunch of reassembly headaches).

In fact, the value of this furniture is in its configuration
possibilities and strength, not the in the fit and finish category. The
black version should be discounted because of the lower quality of
materials and finishes being used. I unfortunately did not see a black
version in the stores. Fine furniture it is not. Functional, it is.
Expandable it is, too. When I replace my 230# Sony XBR tube for a flat
panel TV, I know I can buy a tower bracket from which to hang my TV if I
need.

For the price I paid, it's a little disappointing. At half the price,
the value would be more appropriate.

Customer Service

n/a

Similar Products Used:

Metro Shelf

Functional, strong, expandable.

Poor fit and finish (black), sub-standard materials (black doors), exanding requires substantial disassebly. Value.

This system is highly configurable and has a variety of finishes and accessories. The online configuration tool is quite handy. I bought the S20 triple with perforated side panels, perforated doors, black posts, black main panels, standard feet ant back panels. List was ~$1200, I bought during a 20% off sale.

Packaging was quite good, my unit was unblemished. Assembly is pretty straightforward. It's essentially high-priced Ikia style construction needing a minimum number of tools and consisting of several common parts to make a variety of configurations. Custom, it really is not.

Directions are mostly clear. Basic versions of tools are provided (including a small bubble level, and handy spacing ruler). One huge caveat - since support brackets ride in channels of the posts, you must plan accordingly. Otherwise you will have to disassemble what you just put together. Also, adding additional shelves, door, drawers, etc., will require the same disassembly/reassembly. It's like a stack of Legos - you have to pull off the top ones to add or replace one further down.

The unit holds a great deal and is very stable. And it looks nice. Now for the not-so-nice.

Be forwarned, if you order in black, the surface is not stained veneer like the other surfaces. It is a lightly textured black paint. Who knows the quality of the panel underneath. The black doors are not solid wood (even like a cheap kitchen cabinet door). It is molded saw dust and glue. The middle panel is snapped into place with a cheap rubber gasket, not mitred in like a cabinet door. The doors do not adjust horizontally enough to close the significant gap between door and post. No shims are provided.

The unit's depth should be extended. Most decent receivers these days are deep and cables extend several inches beyond where the standard back panels would be attached. At $129 per panel, the extended version is a waste of money for some stamped sheet metal. At $129 for a pair of doors made of glue and sawdust, I feel ripped off. Adding a drawer is $129 (and a bunch of reassembly headaches).

In fact, the value of this furniture is in its configuration possibilities and strength, not the in the fit and finish category. The black version should be discounted because of the lower quality of materials and finishes being used. I unfortunately did not see a black version in the stores. Fine furniture it is not. Functional, it is. Exandable it is, too. When I replace my 230# Sony XBR tube for a flat panel TV, I know I can buy a tower bracket from which to hang my TV if I need.

For the price I paid, it's a little disappointing. At half the price, the value would be more appropriate.

looks modular design

costs not real wood some installation quirks cannot add a shelf unless to take it apart

I purchased a complete system, the twin 30's with extension, the light bridge, the feet upgrade and the optional light for your components. Overall I am pleased but there are some issues. the quality is acceptable but for this price real wood should be used. Installation was a pain but manageable. the feet and doors were the most difficult to do. They should have included felt for all metal pieces which touch the wood instead of just one set of felt as it is very easy to scratch the wood. The biggest problem was with the the wood side would not fit in the slot where the light for the equipment rack was. It just did not fit, it needed 2-3mm more room. THis would have been major problem but luckily it is on a side that is not very noticeable and I was thinking about not having the side to allow better access to the components and better ventilation. One other installation issue, you need high ceilings to fit the wood panels in the side slots. The unit looks very good, we left it open on the botton without doors or drawers. I love the looks of the aluminum and cherry. When I get a hd tv I will only have to move one side to get a little extra width for a widescreen tv. this is the best part of the furniture. One problem was the top piece of the extension was mismatched. One piece was finished on both sides, the other piece was not. The stereo shop got it replaced but they told me Salamander only finishes their product on one side now. That is pretty cheapo for what this costs. The biggest short comming is that you have to plan on how many shelves you need as the only way to add shelves is to take it all apart. Also I could not add as many components as I first thought due to spacing limitations so plan it all out before you buy. I cut some the black plastic back panels and custom made a backdrop to hid my wires. It turned out good. music direct gives 15% off list but my stereo shop matched it, so I went local which I am glad I did.

Similar Products Used:

none

Some good looks.

Long wait to receive product. Quality control is very poor. Cheap side panels. Overpriced, but I didn't mind due to the looks; now I do mind as to the above stated problems.

I ordered the 303CB and waited over a month to get it. Finally arrived last week; the wire mesh on the door looks like someone put their foot through it. I'm waiting for a resolution from Tweeter - glad I charged this on Visa so I can dispute it.

Similar Products Used:

None.

finish.... pressed board sides... quality doesn't justify price.

Just bought a salamander Twin 40 with doors. While putting it together I realized it is not a quality piece of merchandise. Flaws in door and side panel. Really not happy with the piece.

Beautiful rack, sturdy, configurable.

Expensive.

I shopped around pretty hard to find a stand suitable for holding two Technics 1200's and a mixer. The dimensions on the Synergy Twin 30 were perfect. I decided to go with the Cherry finish. I couldn't be more pleased. The package arrived in two boxes, one containing the top and bottom Cherry pieces, the other with the shelfs, rails, and hardware. Assembly was a snap. I did it within an hour. All the tools were provided. This rack looks great and has the flexibility to be re-configured as your needs change. I highly recommend this rack.

solid sturdy and beautiful

cost

I just bought the Salamander design Synergy model and I bought in the classic twin 40 & single 40 black cherry wood with black steel mesh sides and doors for both and caster wheels.I was very surprised at the packing & shipping crates in came all ten pieces 370LBS no missing parts or damaged occurred shipped across USA to me . I was impressed by the "look and stablitiy it had. I have a amplifier is 22in wide x 8in tall x 26in long it is difficult to find any furniture or shelving that will be versital or any adjustment for small increments of shelf height. THe shelving was increditable for my stereo 2 channel & home theater equipment pieces that I have still room to grow. Just in my 2 channel stereo it is a 11 pieces and home theater is 6 pieces so this shelving is perfect one for me.I think it is good looking and functional who ever want one.. Solid ,beautiful,very sturdy,easy to build,quality parts. If you have floors that are wood or tile it is great moving around but with thick carpet it take a bit of doing to move it. VERY HAPPY CAMPER....!

Similar Products Used:

everything !! from bricks& compressed wood to entertainment centers shelvinmade of oak wood

Sturdy, easily adjustable, easy to assemble.

Price?

I purchased a Salamander Designs Synergy S20 basic rack in black to support 2 heavy amplifiers. This is an amazingly easy to assemble and adjust, stable and good looking rack! It handles heavy components with ease. Highly recommended.

Similar Products Used:

Standesign and Sanus Euro racks.

Design, robustness

Price

Great product; well engineered; incredibly robust; well packaged; pricey but does the job very well.

I just received an Synergy 30, and I had no problems with damaged or missing parts. I even received it by US mail, all 70 pounds of it, all the way across the Pacific to the Marianas. No problems. Assembly took about 2 hours, with a door and side panels, but was not terribly difficult. I have had much worse expereinces with cheap Sauder furniture in the past, and at least this time the final result is something that both looks great and is incredibly sturdy. I give it five stars overall, but only four for value because it is kind of expensive. But then again, I don''''t think I will ever be replacing it.