Building a home and a nice sized rec room. Would like to install a home theater with a 65" RPTV for daytime viewing for now (have lots of windows) and add a projector in the future with large drop down screen for nightime movie viewing (2.35:1 acoustically transparent). I currently have a 5.1 audio system with the intention of upgrading to 7.1 when I add the projector. theatre portion of room will be 22' x 18' with total room dims at 22x 25 including bar area.

Current Audio is Pioneer vsx-1014, rocket sig 750's for FL and FR rs200(Bgfoot) for center and rocket bookshelfs on stands for the rears. RBH 1010SEP as sub

here are two pics of the room layout and the room's location relative to the rest of the home. Rec Room is located in upper left of plans.

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/2695/img6494.th.jpg (http://img260.imageshack.us/i/img6494.jpg/)
http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/9475/img6496.th.jpg (http://img260.imageshack.us/i/img6496.jpg/)

As you can see the room is relatively isolated from the rest of the home connected only via the garage. . I plan on small individual risers for the fronts. Center channel on top of the RPTV. Sub on the floor or riser?

Due to the above I am considering not sound proofing the room. I am on an Acre and a half so neighbors are are not an issue from the back of the house.

QuestioN #1. Do you guys thing sound transmission could still be an issue to the rest of the homes living areas (living and bedrooms) see above pic? Could Hvac be my achilles heel in this regard?

Here is a pic of the seating layout (sectional couch about 11.5" wide) Note dual 6x4 windows on north wall and 6x4 window with 6' slider on east wall. (also drawing to scale 1 square equals 1 foot)

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/71/img6500d.th.jpg (http://img260.imageshack.us/i/img6500d.jpg/)


Distance from RPTV - Approx 13'.
Distance from rear surrounds - 4'
Distance from side Wall to nearest edge of couch - 4'

Question #2 is locating future side surrounds. I'm thinking multidirectionals. Dont want in- ceiling, so wall mount, ceiling mount, or on stands? On the side of the couch with the wall I have more flexibility. but on the other open area its either cieling mounted or on a stand. How would you locate them?

I am still a toal noob regarding projectors and screens so I am really unsure as to where to locate prewired mount for projector. Any recommended reading on how to plan this? I assume an 110 outlet,an HDMI run to the location, and as far as control wires I assume cat5 or cat6 although this may be redundant to the HDMI.

Finally #3. Can I get by with a good book on the subject and more internet research on this build or would anyone recommend paying a pro to plan this type of build.

# 4. Do you see any blatant misgivings with the above?

Thanks much for all the help in advance.

Congrats on the new build MALIX,

My wife and I just moved into our new home about 2 weeks ago. We also with different options on the utility and soundproofing of different rooms. Our theatre will go in the basement as is a year or two down the road, but for overall soundproofing we insulated all the walls of every bathroom. In addition, we insulated both the hot and cold water pipes throughout the house pipes for sound purposes. Perhaps it's overkill, but so far our house has been very peaceful. For the small amount of money, I think it's worth it.

The one place we didn't soundproof was the laundry room. as soon as I heard the washing machine and dryer going I knew I forgot to insulate the walls. It's not bad with the door closed, but I know it could be much more quiet. Just something to think about.

As far as soundproofing the rec room, it's a heck of a lot easier to soundproof when you've got open walls than after the walls are sealed. Just my opinion, but go fot it...you'll never be mad that you made the room too quiet.

I'll leave the projector questions to the others in the forum. I've got a SP4805 ED projector that's served me well, but I know there are more recent ones out there. Run some conduit, the biggest that will fit, to the locations you think you might want to run wires. Run the wires you know you'll need now outside of the conduit. Leave the conduit empty It'll be as future proof as possible. Of course you'll need to check local building codes.

Sorry for the wordy reply, We've been planning/building our house over the past 2 years. (Only the last 6 months have been construction.)