Blok Stax 300

There was a roundup of eight racks all tested in the June issue of the magazine. We had those to compare the Blok Stax against, plus of course the racks in our test rooms.

We're referring to how the rack affects the sound of the kit installed on it, rather than the sound of the rack itself.

Recently bought the 5-shelf version - Blok Stax 500 - of this rack, and while it looks very cool, in a minimalist Art Deco kinda way, and has tightened up my hifi's sound overall, I think folks should be aware of a few, er, issues if opting for the 500.

Good to know that WHF?S&V think the 300 is "solidly constructed and nicely put together". Not so if you buy the 500 version - it's a flat-packed job.

And IME it's the most frustrating item of self-assembly 'furniture', ever: it's a two-person job; aligning all the sheets of glass and wooden blocks correctly is impossible; there're some very imprecise and fiddly fittings (which, frustratingly, could be rectified by some very minor re-design); watch out if your home doesn't have perfectly level flooring, because a flat surface is vital during assembly.

And once complete, the 500 is VERY heavy (approx 60kg) and cumbersome - so make sure you keep the packaging; if you move home it will have to be dismantled.

Still, the folks at Blok HQ were friendly and helpful, especially when marshaling a slack courier.

I am highly amused at this review. You say that the Blok Stax delivers a "full bodied sound". How the heck does a rack deliver sound? It's just some wood with shelves. Where does the sound come from? Are you hallucinating again?

I know that you were referring to the sound of the kit on the rack, but where was the kit placed before you placed it on the Blok Stax when it gave you a more "full bodied sound". Was it on the floor or another rack? What were you comparing the Blok Stax to?

Thanks Andy, I finally made sense of the review, but taken in context on its own, you would agree that the review doesn't make too much sense. Unfortunately, I haven't seen the June issue, so as a comparative review against other racks the review would explain the differences in sound heard.