Put the amplifier low, on the strongest shelf, with clear space above it and an unobstructed path for air to leave the cabinet. Check its weight against the shelf rating before anything else, then check its depth including connectors against the bay depth.
B&A publishes 95 lb for the bottom shelf, 60 lb for an adjustable shelf and 200 lb for the top. If your amplifier exceeds the bottom shelf rating, say so before ordering; on a built-to-order piece that is a design conversation, not a problem.
Weight decides the shelf, and the shelf decides the layout
| Surface | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Top | 200 lb |
| Bottom shelf | 95 lb |
| Adjustable shelf | 60 lb |
| Drawer | 25 lb |
The bottom shelf is the strongest interior surface and the lowest centre of gravity, which is why a heavy amplifier belongs there. Putting one on a 60 lb adjustable shelf because it looked better is how shelves sag.
If the amplifier is heavier than 95 lb, the honest options are the top of the console, which is rated at 200 lb, a dedicated stand beside it, or a custom build with the interior specified for that load. All three are better than hoping.
Heat, and why "low with space above" is the rule
Power amplifiers dissipate more heat than anything else in a typical rack, and they shed it upward. Placing one low with an empty bay or an open path above it means the warm air rises out of the cabinet rather than through the rest of your equipment. Placing one on the top shelf of a stack means everything below is fine and everything above cooks.
Set the shelf spacing to the clearance in the amplifier's manual, not to what leaves the tidiest gap. Where the load is high or the bay is tight, the AC Infinity AIRPLATE fan system can be built into the console at order time, thermostatically controlled so it runs only when the temperature you set is reached.
Depth, including the things that stick out
Large amplifiers often carry substantial binding posts, heavy IEC inlets and sometimes handles, all of which add to the depth the cabinet actually has to accommodate. Measure the chassis, add the connector, add a bend for speaker cable that will not turn sharply, then compare with the bay depth: 19.5 to 20.5 inches across the B&A range, in a cabinet 22 inches deep.
The depth guide works through the measurement in full.
When the amplifier should not go in the cabinet
Sometimes the right answer is that it should not. If the amplifier is heavier than the interior can carry, deeper than the bay, or runs hot enough that it needs open air on several sides, an open stand next to the console is the better engineering, and the console then holds everything else. A maker who tells you that is worth more than one who says yes to everything.
Sizing a B&A console around a specific amplifier
Send the make, model, measured dimensions and weight of the amplifier with your enquiry, along with the space you have. Because every console is built to order, bay height, shelf placement and width can be set for that component before the build begins. See when to order a custom console, or start an enquiry.
Frequently asked
How much weight can a B&A media console hold?
The published ratings are 200 lb on the top, 95 lb on the bottom shelf, 60 lb on each adjustable shelf and 25 lb in a drawer, the same across every model.
Where should a power amplifier go in a media console?
Low, on the bottom shelf, with clear space above it so heat can rise out of the cabinet, and with shelf spacing set to the clearance stated in the amplifier’s manual.
Talk to the person who builds them
Send your component list and the space you have. Brian will tell you which console fits, or whether it needs to be built to a different size.
Figures on this page are B&A's own published specifications, taken from the current product pages and the ordering and warranty terms. Equipment clearances should always be taken from your own component manuals.