I am hoping to start a dedicated HT room project soon. I will be doing most of the construction and design work myself, and realize the ultimate success of the room rests with the proper early design-on-paper stage. So I'm looking for any and all input from anyone that has experience with a similar project. For example:
- What did you do right and, perhaps more importantly, what did you do wrong?
- After living with your room for a while, what would you have done differently?
For everyone else, what neat, stand-out features have you seen in a residential HT room I should consider incorporating? C'mon hit me up, it's not your money, let your imagination go wild!
I will be using a shelf-mounted Panasonic AE700 front projector with Stuart Firehawk fixed screen. So far, I'm thinking I may cut into one wall of the electric service utility closet in the back of the room for a built-in, sound and dust isolated audio equipment rack with super easy rear wiring access. Probably have a sand-dampened front stage for best bass effect (I don't want to do a full room sub floor), then front row seating at floor level, then a 10" riser platform for second row seating to end with a half wall exending out perpendicular from the utility closet. On the opposite side of the half wall, I want to put counter/base cabinets to house bar sink, compact fridge and microwave, etc. then frame a soffit above the half wall to house the PJ and two rear center speakers. I'll try to hide the side surrond dipoles into decorative columns, one of which will hopefully allow me to hide the post on the right side of the room. Why is it that there is always a post to contend with?
Anyways, wish me luck, here are some "before" pics.
ok, ok. sooo maybe it's a bit much for what most of us would want to spend...but you said for us to go wild. they do however, have cheaper systems. there's a sony reciever that has 7 channels i believe for only a couple hundred. Cructhfield is a bit expensive also, circuit city even offers better prices, but you can at least surf their site and read through all the details to find what you like.
ah, dholly... sounds like you're about to have loads of fun, hehe.
Here's some thoughts for you:
My first dedicated HT was pretty traditional. Dark colors (black and gray) all around and 2 rows of couches with the rear set raised. And while it was lots of fun, my big problem with it was, that it was pretty much just a dedicated theater to watch movies and play video games in. It wasn't a social area.
That definitely made me want to do my second one a little differently. This time around, I went with much lighter colors (beige and browns), but made sure I could darken the room down completely for optimal viewing. I also arranged the seating so there were not only the 2 rows (back raised again), but also 2 swivel chairs in the front so they could be turned and face the room when the screen is not in use. It's far more comfortable and inviting than the first one -- which was more "techy and cool." The mood of the two rooms was completely different.
Which brings me to lighting. I would recommend at least 3-4 zones of lights in the ceiling. 1 to light the "stage" area (for when the screen is not in use). 1 each to light the front and rear seating areas. And 1 to light what I call the "control" area -- which is between the front row and the screen. This way, you can turn the lights on where you need them and not have to light the entire room. I'd also recommend putting dimmers on all of them. If you want to go all out, you can also add some ambient sconces and/or rope lights.
One thing you should definitely do is plan for all the potential things you'll be adding to your system whether you're going to start with them or not and run the cables. Wires are cheap, tearing out walls is expensive. For example, I wired mine for 7.1 even though I'm only using 5.1 right now, and I have a cable dedicated for a second subwoofer should I decide to add one later. I also ran a bunch of cat 5 underneath the floor just in case. One regret I have is that I didn't run cables for additional TV's in the front. I would love to add a few smaller sets in the future, but that's going to mean ripping out walls if I do.
BreaKaoss - I happen to be a huge Denon fan and currently use an AVR 1803 and DVM-1805 in the family room with my HD CRT. The big Denon all-in-one is too rich for my blood though. I am thinking of buying an Outlaw Audio Model 770 7-channel Amplifier and Model 950 Preamp/Processor to use with my current speakers in the HT room, and picking up a smaller set or speakers or in-walls for use in the family room. We don't want the big speakers in view anymore.
kloh - I really like the idea of a couple swivel recliners in addition to fixed or sofa seating. I also appreciate the ceiling lighting input. I have yet to decide on a drop w/ acoustical tile or drywall ceiling but, since this is in the basement, I kind of like the idea of retaining easy joist access for the future just in case. With a 14-block + cap high wall, I have plenty of headroom for a drop ceiling, even with a couple of riser platforms. I had already decided on separate entry, foot path, wall sconce, seating, stage, kitchenette and stage lighting zones on dimmers but I'm not real big on rope lights. I may split the seating zone by row per your suggestion, that does seem like a good idea. Since I do have good light control in this room, I was leaning towards a black stage wall with a lighter theme thruout. Of all the gallery pics I've seen, I do much prefer the lighter surroundings to a dark hole of a room. I've even picked this PJ and screen in part because the contrast, lumen and gain specs should work fine in a lighter color scheme. I'm already wiring for 7.1, but the extra sub and video support hadn't crossed my mind. It certainly would be cool to have flanking flat panels to each side of the big screen! That would definitely put me over budget, thanks a lot!
I can't believe kloh is the only A/V phile here. Keep the ideas coming!
Oh yes, thanks chenga, AVS is a great resource. Problem is, everytime I go there to research a question, I end up changing something... that effects something else, etc., etc... But, it has started!
Looking towards the screen wall...
Looking towards rear of room...
Electric utility closet w/ (2) 200A panels, house alarms, CATV, CAT5, etc...
Future home of the HT A/V Rack, gonna move the freezer out...
Need to hide this pilaster on the left-hand wall...
Seeking engineering approval to slide this post over to the wall...
Yes, me and whatever family or friends I can coerce. I am sure my wife isn't going to be much help, she has a TON of jobs that feels take priority... like painting every other room in the house for starters. Ughh, I just did that in the old house before selling, and I am friggin' sick of painting. I need to BUILD something!
Bad news, BIG hassle to move the post, probably not worth it. What the heck can I do with that darn post?
Bad news, BIG hassle to move the post, probably not worth it. What the heck can I do with that darn post?
hmmm... cut a hole on top and make your theater look like the bat cave?
That pole looks like it will become a problem. And although my suggestion above was a joke, I do think finding some way of integrating it into the decor of the room might help. What, I have no idea though. Put popcorn machine there and paint stripes? Surround the whole thing with a faux column? Ohh... this might not be a bad idea.... build shelves from it to the wall to make a wall-to-ceiling storage for your DVD/CD collection? Only problem might be blocking the site line from the rear seats.
If I have a floor level walkway along that (right side looking forward) side of the room, with the riser platform(s) extending to the left wall, it should not create an immediate site-line issue for seating. I'm afraid if I do box it off to the wall, it will become a VERY large eye sore/draw. You can see by the 16" OC floor joists above, it's 2-1/2 feet into the room! Not to mention what that box would do acoustically. And I certainly wouldn't want to do the same on the opposite wall for balance, takes up way too much footprint. I did see in one gallery where the owner had posts to contend with and he made them look like old antique wrought iron street lamps. I may pursue that idea further, it actually blended nicely with his decor. Ack, I may have to plan my entire room decor around that darn post now! How 'bout a nekkid pole dancing mannequin? You know, like Demi Moore in Striptease or Kim Basinger in 9-1/2 Weeks or Daryl Hannah and Meg Tilly in The Blue Iguana? Gad, I loved those movies.
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Home Theater Room Do's & Don'ts?
