I am currently re-constructing a home theater that was professionally built in 1996. I bought the house in 2002 and it came with this theater which featured:

1)19'x14'
2)20" screen wall with built in 32" television and motorized 100" 4:3 screen
3)M&K THX 5.1 speaker system
4)concrete riser for 2nd row
5)GraphicEye with 4 zones (2504)

http://www.picvault.info/images/537091086_DSC01874.JPG


I did a minor update to the system circa 2005 by upgrading the projector (original Sharp XU 37) to a Benq 8700 16:9 and replacing the audio receiver with an Acurus Act3 and 5x200w channels of power.

http://www.picvault.info/images/537091085_DSC_0149.JPG
http://www.picvault.info/images/537091087_IMG_0630.JPG


Noise outside the theater was bad, especially above and so I have started on a full re-work this time:

1)stripped off all drywall, carpet cabinetry, screen wall demo'd
2)rewired electrical to allow for powered seats, movement of equipment to rear of room, changing lighting plan for smaller mag low volt lights
3)rewired room for 8.1 (plan on using 7.1 for now)
4)started today with cutting strips of 5/8" drywall and green glued it to the subfloor above.
5)sealed off joist space outside the room with drywall panels
6)filled all seams and cracks in subfloor/drywall with expanding foam

next I am waiting for my low voltage light fixtures to come in from affordable lighting before starting the drywall process. Since I have been remodeling the house for about a year, I have access to the trim carpenter and drywall guys as needed.

I cannot believe how much great info is here and the detailed photos from other posters has really inspired me!!

quick question: how important is sealing cracks with acoustic caulk? I cannot find it locally so I am using spray expanding foam instead



10/15/09: done save for the carpet

http://www.picvault.info/images/537093577_done1.jpg
http://www.picvault.info/images/537093578_done2.jpg
http://www.picvault.info/images/537093579_done3.jpg
http://www.picvault.info/images/537093580_done4.jpg


10/22 some screen shots now that the carpet is in and I finally removed the protective film from the screen:

http://www.picvault.info/images/537093831_on1.jpg

http://www.picvault.info/images/537093832_off1.jpg

http://www.picvault.info/images/537093833_on2.jpg

http://www.picvault.info/images/537093834_off2.jpg

Sounds like quite the project you are doing, look forward to seeing lots and lots of pics of the progress!

I'm no expert, but from what I have read on here, expandy foam is not going to do the job you are looking for, especially considering the measures you are taking with other soundproofing in the room. All of the other efforts will be wasted if you use the expandy foam, and you will be leaving a conduit for the sound to travel.
If you cannot find it locally, try ordering it online from somewhere such as here (http://store.soundproofingcompany.com/product_p/silenseal.htm)

I am currently re-constructing a home theater that was professionally built in 1996. I bought the house in 2002 and it came with this theater which featured:

1)19'x14'
2)20" screen wall with built in 32" television and motorized 100" 4:3 screen
3)M&K THX 5.1 speaker system
4)concrete riser for 2nd row
5)GraphicEye with 4 zones (2504)

I did a minor update to the system circa 2005 by upgrading the projector (original Sharp XU 37) to a Benq 8700 16:9 and replacing the audio receiver with an Acurus Act3 and 5x200w channels of power.

Noise outside the theater was bad, especially above and so I have started on a full re-work this time:

1)stripped off all drywall, carpet cabinetry, screen wall demo'd
2)rewired electrical to allow for powered seats, movement of equipment to rear of room, changing lighting plan for smaller mag low volt lights
3)rewired room for 8.1 (plan on using 7.1 for now)
4)started today with cutting strips of 5/8" drywall and green glued it to the subfloor above.
5)sealed off joist space outside the room with drywall panels
6)filled all seams and cracks in subfloor/drywall with expanding foam

next I am waiting for my low voltage light fixtures to come in from affordable lighting before starting the drywall process. Since I have been remodeling the house for about a year, I have access to the trim carpenter and drywall guys as needed.

I cannot believe how much great info is here and the detailed photos from other posters has really inspired me!!

quick question: how important is sealing cracks with acoustic caulk? I cannot find it locally so I am using spray expanding foam instead

Acoustical caulk is most easily found at building supply companies that specialize in drywall. I've never seen it on the shelf at a big box. It is usually less than $4 for a BIG tube. The second choice is to seal the cracks with a standard caulk that remains flexible after cured. Expanding foam would not be my first choice unless you have some really big gaps to close. I would use the version that stays flexible after it cures.

When you get your hands on a tube of Acoustical caulk you will see that is basically limestone in a rubberized base. When it cures if has more body than standard caulks.

When you get your hands on a tube of Acoustical caulk you will see that is basically limestone in a rubberized base. When it cures if has more body than standard caulks.

That describes USG Acoustical Sealant. They are the only ones that mass load sealant, as far as I know. And I might add, this does nothing to improve things. I always assumed they had a lot of drywall dust around so why not shove in a tube.

remodel pics. I will size them better!

room stripped:

http://www.picvault.info/images/537091094_SSC_4759.JPG
http://www.picvault.info/images/537091095_SSC_4760.JPG

stage template made:

http://www.picvault.info/images/537091096_SSC_4761.JPG

A/V wiring homerun:

http://www.picvault.info/images/537091097_SSC_4762.JPG

subfloor sealing:

http://www.picvault.info/images/537091098_SSC_4763.JPG

components for the screen wall and equipment cabinets being roughed out:


http://www.picvault.info/images/537091201_SSC_4767.JPG
http://www.picvault.info/images/537091202_SSC_4768.JPG
http://www.picvault.info/images/537091259_SSC_4770.JPG

some updates:

insulation and drywall done. Screen wall and columns roughed in and set into place. Got the cove up and initial trimming with Mahogany. Have a Screen Innovations Black Diamond II 1.4 gain screen coming - 138" in 2:35:1 aspect. Getting very pysched. I plan to do a JVC 550 or 750 depending on the deals available around Cedia


http://www.picvault.info/images/537092672_IMG_3166.jpg
http://www.picvault.info/images/537092673_DSC_5043.jpg
http://www.picvault.info/images/537092674_DSC_5045.jpg
http://www.picvault.info/images/537092675_DSC_5171.jpg
http://www.picvault.info/images/537092676_DSC_5172.jpg

http://www.picvault.info/images/537093581_donebig.jpg

done, just waiting for carpet. I ended up using the telescope flocking paper as a surround for the screen

done! Carpet went in today. I finally got to remove the protective plastic screen off the Black Diamond II screen. Some quick screen shots showing how the BD II doesn't wash out much with ambient lighting:

http://www.picvault.info/images/537093831_on1.jpg

http://www.picvault.info/images/537093832_off1.jpg

http://www.picvault.info/images/537093833_on2.jpg

http://www.picvault.info/images/537093834_off2.jpg

If the original theater represents "professional" design, then you, my friend, have found a new profession! Great work!

Beautiful work!! I love the woodwork. Are your cabinets,trim and soffits cherry? What was the stain color that was used on them?

thanks for all the kind comments. This place has been the source of inspiration for me, giving me ideas and the courage to act on them.

The woodwork is all mahogany. The stain we used was antique brown. The wood is finished with wax instead of poly to reduce the possibility of glare/reflections

Very slick theater, the woodwork and overall design is fantastic.