We currently live in MA, but will be retiring to the Phoenix AZ area (at least I will be….gonna keep the wife working for the health insurance). We hope to make the move some time in 2009, but the economy continues to conspire against us.

We put an addition on my father-in-law’s house last spring which includes a 23.5’ x 13.5’ room for a theater. I went down last Apr to quickly wire for the speakers (7.1), projector, etc a day before the drywallers were scheduled. Down in Sept to complete the bathroom and again over the Xmas holiday to start the theater. Hence the temporary theater name, I’ll only be able to work on it for a few days at a time until I become permanent member of the leisure set.

Equipment we already have:

Aerial Acoustics Model 9s, CC5 center
BA E70s for surrounds/rears
Denon 4810CI Receiver
Sony CX906 400 BD changer
Parasound Halo A51
OPPO BDP 83
Toshiba XA2
Pio Elite/RS2 clone
Dual SVS PB13 Ultras
APC H15 Power Conditioner
Center Stage XD material for a 120” horizontal screen
Black Berklines 12001 w/Buttkickers in the front row
Rack - Middle Atlantic Slim 5

Here’s a Sketch-Up (do I suck at that program) of the layout - the ceiling will be black, screen wall black GOM panels and walls burgundy, and the carpet will be stolen from Jamis:
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/md1953/TheaterAT.png

Starting point - front of room:
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/md1953/TheaterScreenwall2255.jpg

Rear (the door on the right leads to the patio, going to have to change that to an outswing door as it limits the width of the riser and rear seats)
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/md1953/TheaterRear256.jpg

And progress so far this week:

Stage
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/md1953/Stage258.jpg

2 inches of Linacoustic:
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/md1953/Linacoustic259.jpg

And bass traps:
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/md1953/BassTraps260.jpg


Did I mention that while they had 10" of snow and single digit temperatures this last week in MA, it was in the low to mid 70s here? Heading back on Tuesday, should be able to get the stage and riser completed.

How do you guys keep your construction areas so clean? There are a couple of you here that during your construction it appears as though your room is clean enough to perform surgery. My area when I'm working (and after cleanup) looks like a war zone.

I give you an atta boy for doing this long distance it is a challenge when it is under your feet in the basement let alone 1000's of miles away.

Couple of suggestions. I would match your surround speakers with what you have for your mains and center. It is not as important as having all your front speakers timbre matched but for seamless audio all your speakers should be matched. also before you change your doors make sure the local codes allow you to do that. Usually it is businesses were the codes get so picky in how the doors swing and such, but these codes can change somewhat from municipality to municipality.

Good luck.

Regards,

RTROSE

My usual M.O. is to make a complete mess while working then a massive clean-up. Since I have to leave things relatively tidy while not here, I have made a concerted effort to keep things clean as I go...so far so good.

Local zones allow outswing exterior doors, just have to make sure the hinge pins are the type that can't be removed.

As for the speakers, I have been keeping an eye on Audiogon for the Aerial SR3s (MSRP is $3800/pair) and there is one pair that they are asking $1395, of course I would prefer to get two pair for that price - fat chance!

Thanks for your comments.

An aside...it's been a while since I've done this much carpentry. What a pain to have to wear reading glasses to do anything - leaning over to hammer and they move, they don't work well with respirators.....tough to get old!

A picture of the twins that all I can do is look at :(

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/md1953/Subs257.jpg

It is a SHAME to keep those twin SVS's lonely. Such sacrilege! If my budget will allow it is my goal to go dual PB13's or dual Epik Towers. 8-) Room shaking bliss!

Well I try as I might to keep the work area clean just don't seem to get it accomplished it seems to stay a disaster area from the start.

Are you planning on changing the room color to a more Theater Friendly color?

Regards,

RTROSE

Well, headed back to the frigid NE tomorrow. Got done pretty much what I planned in the theater this week (with the exception of framing the false wall) and even squeezed in a few rounds of golf.

Ceiling painted - 2 coats Behr flat black
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/md1953/Theater255.jpg

Riser complete and wired for powered recliners - advice: run conduit before the floor is poured, although only 2 in wide and 4 ft long, it's a tedious job!
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/md1953/Theater256.jpg

Don't know when, but the next trip I will complete the false wall, have the GOM delivered to start all the frames (my lazy side says just paint the damn walls, but I like the way the fabric frames look) and set up to have the carpet laid.

What I don't look forward to is the cost moving all our stuff. A lot of stuff we'll just sell and re-buy when here, but enough will have to make the trip. Has anyone used PODS for a long distance move? Is it considerably cheaper that a mover?

Thanks for looking.

Good work so far. This should turn out looking pretty good in the end :D.

I'm going to be "that" guy though. I noticed that your theater is called "The Long Distance Theater" but you termed it LTD..... Hmmmm :rolleyes:;).

Dyslexia is a thing terrible !

Thanks for the head's up

Good work so far. This should turn out looking pretty good in the end :D.

I'm going to be "that" guy though. I noticed that your theater is called "The Long Distance Theater" but you termed it LTD..... Hmmmm :rolleyes:;).

There always is "that guy" somewhere you just happen to be "that guy" today in this thread. Just don't visit my thread and be "that guy" there too.:D

Maybe he works for that catalog order company the women go ga ga over.

Here (http://www.ltdcommodities.com/). Many of the women I work with just love this place.

Regards,

RTROSE

So far, looks awesome! Great work!

Can I ask what you built your bass traps with?

Looks good so far,

I was almost excited to see another MASS native build, that was till I saw the build site. Oh well, good luck with the rest of your project.

Question I saw you put linacoustic up for the screen wall. First picture shows the orange/red washers holding it in place but their dark in the second pic except for the bottom row. Did you use a Sharpie or somthing similar?

So far, looks awesome! Great work!

Can I ask what you built your bass traps with?

I used Johns Manville's Spin-Glas 814, the equivalent of Owen Corning 703. 2 " thick and comes in 2' x 4' sheets. I used 24 sheets. I cut it with a $10 electric knife from Wal-mart, a method someone here mentioned and although time consuming, it worked quite well.

Looks good so far,

I was almost excited to see another MASS native build, that was till I saw the build site. Oh well, good luck with the rest of your project.

Question I saw you put linacoustic up for the screen wall. First picture shows the orange/red washers holding it in place but their dark in the second pic except for the bottom row. Did you use a Sharpie or somthing similar?

Well, it is still a "MA native build", just not located natively. I spray painted the washers I thought might show through the screen.

As the old joke goes, Put the snowblower on a trailer and keep driving until someone asks: What's that?

Back from hibernation for a bit. Just picked up a brand new the Pioneer FPJ1 for $100 more than the Panny 3000's going price. I'm not usually one to go with "older technology", but this was considered by many the best <$10K projector less than a year ago. You can't go wrong for the price, and since it's my first projector, I won't know what I'm missing (if anything).

Looking very nice! Are you also planning to treat your side and backwalls?

I'll be doing the GOM panel thing, with 44" of Linacoustic on the lower half and cotton batting above.

Would you recommend the fabricmate track over beveled wooden frames? The frames would give you more room for error - easier to cover up any mistakes.

Nice work! Twin SVS very nice!

I didn't get as much completed as I had planned, spent too much of the time at Home Depot. I was able to frame the stage, fabricate the GOM wrapped frames and finish the screen. The screen is 10' wide 2.40:1, I used 2" x 4" poplar wrapped with black Fildelio velvet and Center Stage XD fabric from Seymore AV. I think it came out pretty well.

The twin SVS PB 13s are installed behind the frame but have still never been powered up - I hope they work. Some disassembly of the framing built for the speakers would be required to remove them - I used all screws so it shouldn't be too big of a problem. All that's left is building the soffits, all of the fabric frames for the walls (ala GPowers) install the rack, carpet, seats, and getting all my electronics moved across the country! Maybe another trip down this fall.

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/md1953/P1010019.jpg

You have the patience of a saint. :)

MD, I knew once I saw your thread I would remember it. That screen looks great, it was nice to meet you and the rest of the guys today. Good luck on the rest of your project.

i have a great idea! you should give your giant TV to your only daughter, instead of moving that fragile thing across the country. i bet she would appreciate it.

looks good, pops. i can't wait to visit all the time. like, all the time. :)

wait a sec...so that screen is longer in MA? did you build a 2nd one? how are you going to watch kung-fu panda?

No more construction until maybe the fall, but I did make few purchases. Ordered the SVS AS-EQ1, not shipping until mid August, but obviously I'm in no hurry. Also picked up 4 Boston Acoustics E70s for surrounds and rears. I've had several BA speakers in the past, so I'm falmiliar with their sound. These are now discontinued - original MSRP was $800, got them for $240 ea shipped. The cherry finish is quite stunning. What I did realize was that the wall bracket is an option, gotta drop another $40 each for those.


In response to my most favorite daughter, the Pio Elite will have to make the trek across country, need something for the bedroom...sorry.

No more construction until maybe the fall, but I did make few purchases. Ordered the SVS AS-EQ1, not shipping until mid August, but obviously I'm in no hurry. Also picked up 4 Boston Acoustics E70s for surrounds and rears. I've had several BA speakers in the past, so I'm falmiliar with their sound. These are now discontinued - original MSRP was $800, got them for $240 ea shipped. The cherry finish is quite stunning. What I did realize was that the wall bracket is an option, gotta drop another $40 each for those.


In response to my most favorite daughter, the Pio Elite will have to make the trek across country, need something for the bedroom...sorry.

Ahhh Daughters!!
Don't they just have their special way of suggesting thngs!
I have 2 of my own...:D

-t

Wowzers. I don't know how you do it. My mind usually drifts to thoughts of my build at least a million times until I can actually get back to the room. Even then, I don't always feel like I get enough time in. I'm very impressed with your patience and progress.

Oh, and your build is looking very nice. Any pics of your DIY screen build?

Good luck.

Sorry, I didn't take pictures while building the screen but it was very easy using the SeymourAV (http://seymourav.com/articles/DIYFixedFrameGallo.pdf) method. Using spray adhesive vs staples was less time consuming, time will tell how it holds up.

Wow,

I think you daughter was trying to guilt you on a public forum, maybe for a little added "pressure". Way to stick to your guns big man! It is nice to see offspring here posting away though. You know what they say......The family who AVS's together stay's together! 8-)

Build is looking nice, I think the screen turned out fantastic.

Regards,

RTROSE

Well, it's been a while since I last posted, but there has been a bit of activity. I'm here now in the lovely Valley of the Sun, and although not yet retired, I have had a few months to get some more work done.

The Berklines came a couple of weeks ago, courtesy of Roman - still in the boxes in the garage. Everything's pretty much done with the exception of carpet which is scheduled for this Friday. Now for some pics:

Behind the screen wall
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/md1953/Picture006.jpg

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/md1953/Picture003.jpg

Starting the panels thanks to GPowers
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/md1953/P2140001.jpg

Soffits
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/md1953/P1010017.jpg

Rack
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/md1953/P1010016.jpg

Left side - note the window is now completely covered
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/md1953/P1010011.jpg

The rear
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/md1953/P1010014.jpg

Looks great Michael,

Congrats on some excellent progress!! Keep up the good work and keep us posted.

The carpet choice is Couristan Celestial, a pic courtesy of Ron Honeycutt

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/md1953/untitled.jpg

Thanks Orlando. Sorry to read about your water issues, hope you are able to recover without too much redo.

Thanks, deconstruction is pretty much done. Time to strategically rebuild.

I forget, are you/did you build scope screen?

Yep, built a 2.4 scope screen using the Seymore center stage XD material.

Carpet and the chairs are in...the carpet guys took 9 hours to install it and did an excellent job. And the pics:

Pad
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/md1953/P1010023.jpg

Towards the screen
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/md1953/P1010024.jpg

Seats installed
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/md1953/P1010026.jpg

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/md1953/P1010027.jpg

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd199/md1953/P1010028.jpg


All in all, I'm very happy with it. There are some mistakes here and there that I will live with - there are two panels that I forgot to bevel an edge, it took me two days to see it so it's not that noticeable. I also got bit of construction adhesive on the front of two other panels. I'm trying to come up with a paint to match the burgundy and try to touch it up.

Some things on the to do list

Put up light blocking curtains

Clean up the wiring in the rack - it looks bad

Once the rack's cleaned up I can frame for drywall and a door for the rear of the rack which is now open to the bedroom - the wife won't be down here full time until around June, so I have plenty of time to get that done.

Figure out what's causing an intermittant audio drop out while playing CDs. It's either the Oppo 83 or the Denon 4810. It doesn't happen for any other source which leans me towards the Oppo as the culprit. I remember reading about someone else was having the same problem, but I can't find that thread anymore. Anyone have any ideas?

WOW this theater is slick as snot..:)..Like it a lot.

Excellent progress!

I really like the panels, but getting them all aligned would be the death of me.

CJ

Wow, very nice work. I'm with CJ it would kill me to get all of those panels lined up "just right". You should be very, very happy with the result.

Regards,

RTROSE

:):):):):):):):):):)

wow! it looks great!

my panel is the best one there!

i need to come back and visit and sit on the real chairs.

and play call of duty and get in kills.

:D

:eek: