Getting Your Mathes Console TV Setup Right Without Losing Your Mind
I've spent enough afternoons wrestling with wall mounts and HDMI cables to know that buying a TV console is only the first hurdle. The actual setup is where most people go wrong, and by the time they realize it, they've either got a wobbly mess or a unit that's about to tip over because someone leaned on it. The Mathes Console Tv is a solid piece of furniture if you treat it like actual furniture rather than a glorified shelf, but the installation process has its own quirks that aren't exactly documented anywhere useful. A TV console from Mathes is essentially a floor-standing cabinet system designed to hold a television, media components, and the inevitable tangle of cables that comes with modern setups. They're typically made from engineered wood with a veneer finish, which means they look decent but won't survive being dragged across a concrete floor. The main selling point is usually the integrated cable routing channels and the fact that they come with a VESA-compatible wall mount bracket included in the price. That bracket, incidentally, is where things tend to get interesting during installation. Start by laying out all the hardware. Mathes packages everything in a single cardboard sleeve inside the box, and the bag labeled "Hardware Set A" contains the majority of the screws you'll need for the main assembly. The problem is that bags B and C are easy to miss because they're tucked under the particle board panels. I learned this the hard way when I had half the unit assembled and realized I was missing the rear panel screws, which meant I had to partially disassemble the back to get at the bag. Don't do that. Sort through everything first.
Assembly order matters more than the instructions suggest. Put the side panels together first, then attach the back panel while the frame is still flat on the ground. The pre-drilled holes for the back panel align perfectly when the unit is level on a flat surface, but as soon as you try to bolt the back panel while the unit is standing upright, you'll find yourself holding a screwdriver with one hand and keeping the unit from tipping with your knee. I spent twenty minutes trying to force the last screw in while balancing the whole thing against my leg, and it wasn't going to end well. Once the cabinet is together, secure the VESA bracket to the back of your TV before you try to mount anything. The bolts that come with the console are metric M4 x 20mm, which fits most TVs between 32 and 55 inches. If your TV requires M5 or M6 bolts, you'll need to source those separately. I ran into this with a 50-inch set that needed longer M5 bolts, and the included hardware simply wouldn't reach. A quick trip to the hardware store fixed it in about ten minutes.
Cable Management Reality Check
The cable routing channels in the Mathes Console Tv are narrower than they appear in the photos. An HDMI 2.1 cable with the thicker connector housing barely fits through the designated slots, and if you're running multiple cables at once, you'll need to fan them out carefully. The channel on the left side is tighter than the one on the right. I ended up using zip ties to bundle three HDMI cables and a power cord together, then fed the bundle through the right-side channel in one pass. It took about three attempts because the first two times I misaligned the connectors and they wouldn't pass through the narrowest point. For the power cables, route them through the rear channel before you push the console against the wall. Once it's in place, there's no way to access that channel without pulling the entire unit free, and these things are heavier than they look. A 60-inch TV sitting on the console adds another sixty pounds or so, and you don't want to be wrestling with that just to get a power cord through.
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Wall Mounting and Stability
Here's the part most people skip: anchoring the console to the wall. Mathes includes a single anti-tip strap in the hardware pack, and it's rated for a modest amount of force. If you have a large TV—anything over 55 inches—or if there's any chance of the unit being bumped (kids, pets, a vacuum cleaner), you need additional anchor points. I used two heavy-duty furniture straps anchored into wall studs, positioned at the top corners of the console back panel. This made the unit effectively immovable, and it also eliminated the slight wobble that develops over time as the casters or feet settle unevenly on your floor. The included casters on the base are cheap plastic and will crack if you tighten them beyond the point where they stop wobbling. Replace them with rubber caster cups or swap to stationary glides if your floor is level. Rubber glides also prevent the console from sliding on hardwood or tile, which is a real problem if your TV is mounted directly to the console rather than to the wall above it.
Common Issues and Workarounds
The particle board shelf inside the console sags under heavy components. A soundbar or AV receiver placed on the middle shelf will cause visible bowing within a few months if the shelf spans more than 40 inches without a center support. The workaround is simple: add a thin aluminum angle bracket or a wooden cleat underneath the shelf at the midpoint. I used a piece of 1x2 pine screwed into the underside of the shelf, which cost about two dollars and eliminated the sag entirely. Ventilation is another concern. The closed-back design traps heat from any electronics you place inside. If you're running a streaming box, console, or receiver in the lower compartment, leave the rear panel partially off or drill additional ventilation holes in the back panel. I drilled six quarter-inch holes in a grid pattern along the top portion of the rear panel, which improved airflow without compromising the structural integrity. The holes are mostly hidden from view if you position the console a few inches away from the wall.
Where to Get One
You can find the Mathes Console Tv through major European furniture retailers and online marketplaces. Prices typically range between 150 and 300 euros depending on the size and finish options. It's worth checking third-party sellers as well since the pricing varies significantly between regions. I've seen the same model listed for 180 euros on one site and 260 on another, which suggests there's enough distribution overlap that comparison shopping actually matters. If you're outside Europe, availability may be limited. In that case, look for comparable TV consoles from brands like IKEA, Billy, or even Amazon Basics. The build quality won't be identical, but the core functionality—holding a TV, managing cables, providing storage—is the same, and the price difference often isn't worth the shipping costs.
When It Falls Apart
Let me be clear about the limitations. The Mathes Console Tv is not designed for heavy commercial use. The joint connections rely on cam locks and particle board screws, which degrade over time if the unit is moved frequently. If you plan to relocate your TV setup regularly, this isn't the right choice. Solid wood or metal-framed consoles handle repeated assembly and disassembly far better. The finish is also vulnerable to moisture. Place this console away from windows that get direct sunlight or areas with high humidity, and the veneer will bubble within a year or two. I've seen it happen in kitchens where the console doubles as a media center and the steam from cooking settles into the seams. It's cosmetic only, but it's noticeable. Finally, the included VESA bracket has a limited weight capacity. The specifications claim support for TVs up to 75 inches, but the real-world limit is closer to 55-60 inches for safety. If you have a larger set, bolt the bracket directly to the wall and use the console purely as a base cabinet rather than relying on it to support the TV's weight. I made that mistake with a 65-inch set and noticed the bracket flexing slightly when I adjusted the TV angle. That's not something you want to ignore.
Final Thoughts on the Mathes Console Tv
It's a functional, adequately built TV console that does what it's supposed to do without any standout features. The installation is straightforward if you follow the correct sequence, and the cable management works once you figure out the routing trick. Just don't expect it to handle abuse or support extremely heavy TVs, and invest in better casters if your floor isn't perfectly level. For the price, it's a reasonable choice, and for most people, it'll serve well for five to seven years before showing any real wear.
