Hey guys, I'm about to start framing up the room for my home theater but I don't know how big to make it. Here is what I want. At least a 120" screen with 7.1 audio. Ideally 3 rows of seats (10' ceilings). What is the optimum room size for a screen of this size? And how much should I expect to spend on audio?

note: I have an open basement to do whatever I want to with it. I could go with a bigger screen, but I don't want to get to rediculous on the budget. So if I can do more without spending a whole lot more then I'm okay with that as well.

This project will take a while to complete, but I want to get starting on the framing this fall. Thanks for any help!

I'm guessing this post is going to get skipped over pretty quickly due to a severe lack of information, so I'll throw in a few tips that should help you get some better responses...

For one, you shouldn't build the room around a screen size you arbitrarily came up with. Design the room within the space you have available, and choose the right screen size for the room.

Documenting the existing space is extremely important, especially if you want others to help. Draw (or sketch or draft, whatever your skill level) floor plans, take pictures, and post everything. We know you have 10 ft ceilings (very nice!) and a basement...not much to go by.

Read this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1111132) and follow everyone's suggestions to get you started. There's enough information in that one thread to keep you busy for...well, let's just say it can be a serious time sink. :)

I apologize for not giving this information earlier.

The basement is completely unfinished and wide open. I can make the room as big or as small as needed. I want a rectangular design. I was thinking along the lines of a 16x25 room with the equipment closet on the outside of the room. But I want to make sure this is pretty close before I start framing up walls. Basically we are going to do a theater room and then design the rest of the basement around that.

I intentionally had them run my duct work and plumbing so I could keep my 10foot ceilings in most of the basement. So basically I have a blank canvas to start with.

Does this help?

How many do you really want to seat. You say 3 rows. 3 rows of four? 3 rows of 6? 3 rows of 3? Makes a big difference. HT recliners? Traditional theater seats? Couches? Also makes a big difference.

For best results, post a floorplan of the whole basement with windows, poles, utilities, ducts, etc. Say what beyond the theater you want in the basement, and most likely folks will give you ideas.

Well, let's start with this TN: 3 rows of seats. Let's say first row, for your ballpark screen-size, needs to be ~10'...and then 6-8' (depending on whether you want people to be able to walk-thru with the chairs reclined) for the 2 additional rows. Plus, you don't want to be have the last rowed pressed right against the back wall, in a 7.1 set-up. So I would say...ballpark...10', plus 7', plus 7', plus 2' from the back wall; I think your room needs to be right around the 25-26' you proposed. Of course, you can grow from there.

CD

Not sure about seating yet. But 3 rows of 4 would be nice. As far as what I'm using that will depend on budget when I get there. But most likely HT recliners or couches/loveseats that recline.

I hope my quick floor plan make sense, There is a garage door and a walk thru on the end opposite of where I want the theater room. So Doors and windows are not an issue.

The blue is where I want the theater. That room could be as big as 22x44 or so, but that would be to big :) I would like to leave a hallway between the theater room and support beam.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonynelson/3878271707/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonynelson/3878271707/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonynelson/3878271707/


my picture didn't work....

Here you go...check out dc_pilgrim's signature (Post #4 above) for an in-depth tutorial on posting pictures.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2623/3878271707_bf3be2a1b0.jpg

I wouldn't put 3 rows in a 25' room. Here are two rooms in the 30' foot range ... one with two rows, one with 3.5 rows. Screens are 10' to 11' wide Cinemascope. In the 3.5 row room the front row is not useable due to it's proximity to the screen (the kids like it, however).

Ah, the rare treasure of Erskine plans posted on AVS.

I wouldn't put 3 rows in a 25' room. Here are two rooms in the 30' foot range ... one with two rows, one with 3.5 rows. Screens are 10' to 11' wide Cinemascope. In the 3.5 row room the front row is not useable due to it's proximity to the screen (the kids like it, however).

Tony, DE is right; I basically said 25-26' at a bare minimum. I agree with DE though; while it's doable, it might be a tight squeeze. OTOH, if you really have 44' to spare, I would say you can do 3 very comfortable rows, and a kick-ass (snack) Bar.

CD

Thanks guys! Just to make sure I'm following along here :)

I should do 25 feet or so with 2 rows or expand to 30+ with 3 rows? The 16 wide or so will be okay? And this will work okay with a 120" screen?

I haven't really thought about a snack bar inside the room, I was thinking about it outside. Inside might be a really good idea.

Thanks again!

120" screen ... a meaningless number.

120" wide, 120" tall, 120" diagonal. What aspect ratio?

...and while we're speaking of seating distances, room length and trival stuff like that. What speakers do you intend to use? At those seating distances (3 rows), you're looking at $7K to $11K EACH for LCR's. The $7K doesn't include the amps, the others do.

120 diagonal. 16:9 ratio.

Talking about speakers might fry my brain at this point as I know nothing about audio. They are probably two years away to be honest. My plan is to have the (entire) basement finished in a year and then start buying the equipment. I might even have to use my HTIB for a year or so. I know this is not an ideal setup, but I am aware the audio may cost me several thousand.

For three rows of seating and a 120" diagonal 1.78:1 screen, you'll need every inch of that 10' room height to get unobstructed views of the screen. I don't see 1.78:1 as being a good choice unless you don't watch a lot of movies. You may find the ceilings too low for three rows and the screen not wide enough for an immersive experience in the third (if not second) row of seating. Always choices to be made and opportunities for brain explosions.

The issue with long seating distances and three plus rows of seats are the challenges (mostly economic) in getting even sound coverage in all seats while at the same time dealing with the effects of high frequency roll off over distance.

I don't want to throw cold water on your project, I want you to run with it...you'll enjoy it. Coming here and bouncing your ideas off members of the forum who've been there, done that will help you avoid a lot of traps ... and give you food for thought in your decision process going forward.

BTW, for many of the projects here ... two years is, well, the fast track. :D

Sounds like I'll go with two rows of seats to be on the safe side. I don't want to pay a lot more for audio just to get a third row of seats that may never be used. I like the 16:9 because I'll watch more sports and PPV's than I will movies, but I'll watch some movies as well.

Thanks again guys, I'll have some more questions for you in a few months :)

I'll just toss this out to think about. Far easier & cheaper in the long run to get that space fully designed BEFORE you start doing anything with it. This gives you the "roadmap" to use and, if competently designed, takes care of all the little gotchas that maybe wanted to rear up and bite. Generally those gotchas start with a " Aw ----, I should have......but I already did the .....!!!!

Up front design really helps with you getting to focus on what you want and sidesteps the "Ready, Shoot, Aim" situation that occurs otherwise. You got the roadmap so you know what the next step is.

Spend lots of time reading, reading and more reading on this forum. And don't just read, study. Take notes. Map out other peoples rooms to scale, on paper. You'll start to find some common threads.

You really need an understanding of the basics, certainly before doing any designing on your own, and even to work with a designer.

Good luck with your room!