Price Paid:  $560.00

Summary:
Got a great price on walnut/black from Mark at Northern Audio in Pittsburgh. No parts were missing. Everything fit together perfectly. Plan on spending two hours for careful assembly. The results are worth it. Fantastic finish on both wood and aluminum.

Strengths:
Build quality. appearance.

Weaknesses:
pricey. time consuming assembly and adjustments

Similar Products Used:
Atlantis audio

Price Paid:  $1129.00 from Audio Advisor

Summary:
I bought this rack and stand for my bedroom TV. I decided to go with a 32-inch HDTV in the bedroom and didn't want to go the armoir route due to size, delay and cost. So I began looking at stands. I'd seen some Salamander stuff locally and went to both the company website and Audio Advisor. I'd purchased from A.A. before and went with them. First off, they main unit was back ordered. After a 5 day delay, they shipped the big box. I'd ordered the optional wire mesh sides, castor's and two frosted glass doors. When everthing had arrived I realized A.A. had forgotten one of my doors. The piece is modular so I decided to go ahead and put it together anyway. Assembly is rather straight forward as long as you remember to put the feet on first, slide the shelf supports inbetween the door supports and put the sides on before the top. Salamander gives you all the tools you need save a Philips head screwdriver. The fit and finish of the pieces is excellent. However I must have gotten a unit straight off the press because the stench of the polyproplene covering on the wooden pieces was overpowering. If you're allergic to strong chemical odors open the boxes on the porch and let the unit "air out" before assembling them in house. The uniti is beautiful, strong and well made. If ordering from Audio Advisor, make sure they have all your components before ordering. When I get the other door, I'll have to remove the big honking TV, take the top off, remove components on the shelves, then the shelf supports, insert half the door, insert and re-adjust the shelf supports, reinstall the components then ask some one to help me lift the TV back on to the stand. Whew...

Strengths:
Adjustability, well packaged, all the tools necessary, modular design, sturdy and beautiful to look at.

Weaknesses:
Minimalist instructions, counterintuitive shelf design, foul stench from fresh pieces, heavy without castors and piecemeal shipment. EXPENSIVE for something you have to assemble yourself. You might be able to get something almost as good cheaper.

Similar Products Used:
Soundesigns audio rack.

Price Paid:  $750.00 from Magnolia HiFi

Summary:
Just got done putting this bad boy together in a new house. WOW, I am sold on Salamander after this. I bought the Maple/black and it looks fantastic. I had read alot of reviews about damaged items from the factory but had no such problem. One possible cause of this complaint is that the shelves come with a protective clear film on it and they look scratched but once removed there are no marks. Also heard about these being tough to setup. No sweat. Just grab a beer and take your time. It is very simple to put together. If you are wavering on the Synergy racks have no worries..these are fine pieces of furniture that are built to last.

The only negative is the cost but if you look around you won't find anything better.

Strengths:
Gorgeous looks, very sturdy, easy to put together

Weaknesses:
Spendy