Spectral Closed CL1050 review

Stylish and sturdy, with high-class sonic performance Tested at £1100.00

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Style-conscious and deep-of-pocket? Here’s a rack for you

Pros

  • +

    Fantastic build and style

  • +

    numerous drawer and glass colour options

Cons

  • -

    Possibly not big enough for larger kit collections

  • -

    rather pricey

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

Rather than perching your hi-fi and home cinema system on a traditional-looking dedicated rack, or designer furniture that's not up to the job, Spectral promises the best of both worlds: maximised performance with minimal ugliness.

This rack comes from Spectral's ‘Closed' range, so-named as the shelves come with doors to hide away your valuable home cinema equipment.

So what does your money buy you? Well, The stand is sturdy, to say the least. If we were rating on a lb-for-pound basis, this heavyweight would be running away with five stars. Alas, if only testing – and life – were that simple.

The cabinet for the CL1050 comes pre-built, but the optional TV bracket needs assembly. But don't panic – this is a simple job. You're also given all the screws you need for mounting a screen of up to 50in, or 40kg. You'll be thankful it boasts stylishly concealed castors.

Improves sound and picture quality
Great AV racks not only look smart but also improve sound and picture quality. Tested with a range of kit, the CL1050 produces sharp pictures and an excellent sound stage.

Some rival racks offer a slightly tighter presentation, but the sonic difference is minimal: you're only making a small sacrifice in return for the Spectrals' peerless style.

There's no denying that these are pricey ways to mount your kit, but in typically Teutonic fashion they both manage to strike an excellent balance between style and function.

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.


Read more about how we test