I have almost completed construction on my HT and thought I would post up some pics and share my experience.

Here is a quick run down of the hardware.

Denon 3806 AVR
Panasonic PT-AX100 projector
Da-lite 106" Screen

Focal 800 series speakers. 7.1 surround
2 - 826v's Mains
1 - CC800v Center
4 - SR800v Surrounds

Dayton 1000W 15" subwoofer

PS3 for Blu-Ray
HD DVR cable box
DVD player

I didn't get any photos prior to beginning the project, but I'll give you a visual picture of what it looked like. I started with approximately a 12.5' x 26' x 7' area in my basement. When approaching the entrance to the room there were two half walls with a center opening. Each half wall was about 3' wide and had wooden spindles going up to a fake support header. The basement had panel covered walls and a drywall ceiling. The ceiling was coated in popcorn. The HVAC duct work and main I-beam were all drywall around. The entire basement had in-door/out-door carpeting.

I began by removing all the paneling in the entire basement and insulating all the walls with R-12 insulation. I ran all my speaker wire and electrical for lights, switches and outlets. I hung 5/8 in drywall on all the walls. At this point I began taking pictures.

There was a bathroom in the rear corner of the room. When I started half the room was about 12.5' wide and the other half was about 9.5' wide. I had to move a wall to get the majority of the basement to 12.5'. In the following picture you can see by the carpet where the wall use to be. When I moved that wall I had to repair the soffiting around the duct work. I also decided to build a component cabinet in that wall. When I moved the wall it left me with one of the suppport beams to deal with as well. You can kinda see where the bathroom is as well in this pic.

http://www.jasonfuller.com/gallery/data/501/DSC00113.jpeg

Back of the room.

http://www.jasonfuller.com/gallery/data/501/DSC00112.jpeg

Right side room

http://www.jasonfuller.com/gallery/data/501/DSC00114.jpeg

Right side and front corner

http://www.jasonfuller.com/gallery/data/501/DSC00115.jpeg

Screen wall.

Here I have to deal with the breaker box later on. I also had to move it a tad to get the wall to the left straight. Additionally, I added small 4" can lights for the screen. This was just a frill to highlight the screen with showing off the theater.

http://www.jasonfuller.com/gallery/data/501/DSC00116.jpeg


The following pics are once the priming started. I sprayed the entire basement with kills primer, including the ceiling.

Here you can see I have popcorned my soffit repairs and incased the I-beam in drywall. I was rather impressed how well I was able to match the new soffiting to existing.

http://www.jasonfuller.com/gallery/data/501/medium/DSC00154_1024x768_.JPG

Back of room

http://www.jasonfuller.com/gallery/data/501/medium/DSC00156_1024x768_.JPG

right side

http://www.jasonfuller.com/gallery/data/501/medium/DSC00157_1024x768_.JPG

http://www.jasonfuller.com/gallery/data/501/medium/DSC00158_1024x768_.JPG

Screen wall

http://www.jasonfuller.com/gallery/data/501/medium/DSC00159_1024x768_.JPG

Left side and entrance way. The entrance is a 64" opening.

http://www.jasonfuller.com/gallery/data/501/medium/DSC00160_1024x768_.JPG


I went with a dark blue satain for the wall color. For the carpeting I went with a plush

black carpet surrounded by a 1' dark blue boarder. I wanted raised seating for the back row

and I had duct work overhead in that half of the basement. It is somewhat a pain in the

butt, and some friends have a bump of two on their head but it turned out ok I think.

I built the riser base out of 2"x8"s as the base. I built it on top of 4 mil plastic and

wrapped it over the sides of the riser.

http://www.jasonfuller.com/gallery/data/501/medium/DSC00166_1024x768_.JPG

http://www.jasonfuller.com/gallery/data/501/medium/DSC00167_1024x768_.JPG

I then put attic insulation in it to keep the resonance down (bass drum effect).

http://www.jasonfuller.com/gallery/data/501/medium/DSC00169_1024x768_.JPG

For the top I used 2"x12"s, so that I could get a nice 2" overhang on all sides along with

added weight. On top of the 2"x12"s I added a 3/4" sub-floor. This gave me an approximate

overall height of almost 10". I can't remember the overall size of it, but it is perfect

for a three theater seating unit. I carpeted the base black with a blue top.

http://www.jasonfuller.com/gallery/data/501/medium/DSC00176_1024x768_.JPG

http://www.jasonfuller.com/gallery/data/501/medium/DSC00182_1024x768_.JPG

http://www.jasonfuller.com/gallery/data/501/medium/DSC00183_1024x768_.JPG


Here are the pictures of the theater almost complete.

Screen wall.

http://www.jasonfuller.com/gallery/data/501/DSC00678_800x600_.JPG

Back of room and seating area

http://www.jasonfuller.com/gallery/data/501/medium/DSC00206_1024x768_.JPG

http://www.jasonfuller.com/gallery/data/501/medium/DSC00208_1024x768_.JPG

I still have the trim work to do and some minor work on the component cabinet. More pics on

all that coming later.


For what I had to work with I have extremely happy with the outcome so far. I hope you

enjoy this write up.

Nice job on you room! How long did it take from start to finish? What part of St. Louis you in? I am over in Highland Il about 25 miles east of St. Louis. At some time I would like to try and organize a meet between all the local AVSers. Shoot me a PM if you would be interested in doing that some time.

Cheers,
JJ

Very nice. I love the colors. You did a good job refinishing the space. Are there any acoustical treatments in the room? I am curious as to how it sounds with the ceiling having all the soffits and such.

Enjoy the theater.

John

Nice job on you room! How long did it take from start to finish? What part of St. Louis you in? I am over in Highland Il about 25 miles east of St. Louis. At some time I would like to try and organize a meet between all the local AVSers. Shoot me a PM if you would be interested in doing that some time.

Cheers,
JJ

Thanks. It took be about three months. I worked alone with the exception of hanging the drywall. I live in Shrewsbury, like 5 minutes from downtown.

I would love to get together as a group.

Very nice. I love the colors. You did a good job refinishing the space. Are there any acoustical treatments in the room? I am curious as to how it sounds with the ceiling having all the soffits and such.

Enjoy the theater.

John

Thanks alot. The color scheme was the most difficult part for me to come to a decision on. And being a guy thats not very color coordinated, I am happy with the outcome.

I don't have any acoustical treatments other that the ceiling. The sound is amazing. I don't know how much the soffits affect the sound quality, but I am happy with the outcome. I would like to listen to a theater of similar quality to see if I can hear a difference.

I don't have any acoustical treatments other that the ceiling. The sound is amazing. I don't know how much the soffits affect the sound quality, but I am happy with the outcome. I would like to listen to a theater of similar quality to see if I can hear a difference.

Congrats! The room looks great.

I live in the area. My room is not yet complete, but the front wall and rear corners are already acoustically treated. I could tell a bit of a difference right away with just treating the front wall. I have some temporary acoustical treatments up for the side walls, that can easily be taken down and put back up. You are welcome to come over and hear the difference.

i really like how you did with the floor, nice job. I wish i could go back in time and re did mine =(

jcfuller and aaron_hinni, I am sending a PM to both of you.

Cheers,
JJ

Congrats! The room looks great.

I live in the area. My room is not yet complete, but the front wall and rear corners are already acoustically treated. I could tell a bit of a difference right away with just treating the front wall. I have some temporary acoustical treatments up for the side walls, that can easily be taken down and put back up. You are welcome to come over and hear the difference.

I would love to experience the difference first hand. We can definitely get together sometime.


i really like how you did with the floor, nice job. I wish i could go back in time and re did mine =(

There are always things we wish we could do differently when it's complete. It's a pain to dig back into things and start making a mess. But sometimes we have to have them the way we want. ;)

jcfuller and aaron_hinni, I am sending a PM to both of you.

Cheers,
JJ

Got it thanks! We'll definitely have to get together soon.

Just found out about this thread (thanks JJ!) and wanted to add myself to the list. I'm in the middle of my HT build (see link in my signature) and can't WAIT for it to be "done" - it's never really done, is it???

Nice room. I'm working with a similar type situation as you started with. Paneling over drywall. See my thread for progress. Nice job, it looks like a very enjoyable room!

Looks great. Good job rallying the StL area folks :)

Hi Jcfuller - Very nicely done. I really like the colors and especially those chairs. I didn't see within your thread that you mentioned the actual color or stlyle/brand of chairs. Is it a microfiber or leather? Hope you dont mind me asking as I would really like to "borrow" your chairs for my theater. I have been going back and forth between red or black chairs...I dont know if I have the guts to go with the brighter red, but it looks exceptional with your room. Any info on style and/or cost would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I wont mention that I am a Cub fan to you since you look to be in Cardinal land...Oops, to late:D

Great room!!

Thanks everybody. I really appreciate all the complements. :D

it's never really done, is it???

LOL! Nope, it is never complete till you die.

Nice room. I'm working with a similar type situation as you started with. Paneling over drywall. See my thread for progress. Nice job, it looks like a very enjoyable room!

I actually tore my panel down and had to hang new drywall. ;)
You'll be much happier with the DW. ;)

Looks great. Good job rallying the StL area folks :)

We had a great meet at JJ's. I will probably try and host the next one if everyone wants. Maybe in a month or so.

Hi Jcfuller - Very nicely done. I really like the colors and especially those chairs. I didn't see within your thread that you mentioned the actual color or stlyle/brand of chairs. Is it a microfiber or leather? Hope you dont mind me asking as I would really like to "borrow" your chairs for my theater. I have been going back and forth between red or black chairs...I dont know if I have the guts to go with the brighter red, but it looks exceptional with your room. Any info on style and/or cost would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I wont mention that I am a Cub fan to you since you look to be in Cardinal land...Oops, to late:D

Great room!!

Cubs?!?!? :eek:

LOL, j/k!

I bought the chairs from American furniture and electronics. They are microfiber. The manufacturer is Palliser. I have to dig up the receipt to see if I can find exactly what color red they are. I absolutely love the chairs. Thanks again for the complements :D

Fabulous job, really! The decor, the lighting, etc were all PERFECT! You have EVERY right to be EXTREMELY proud! I'm sure you will be enjoying that room for years to come!

I was also extremely interested in your furniture. I'm in the process of having a custom home built for my wife and I and my wife "let" me install a dedicated 20' x 14' home theater (10 years of foot massages and "yes dears" finally paying off!)

In regard to your furniture, I am interested in a similar setup. My HT room as on my plans calls for a double tier set up. That is, two elevated seating sections with a final sunken section in the front of the room.

I had planned on setting things up the same way you have: individual reclining HT seating on top and a matching HT sofa on the row in front. My question to you (and my concern for this setup) - when you are sitting in the seats in the back row, does the top of the couch (or the top of people's heads) interfere with your viewing angle of the bottom of the screen? What about reclining? Can you recline in that back row and still see over the top of your couch and/or people's heads?

I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around placement, angles, screen placement, and how things things have to relate to one another...

Thanks for sharing your project and look forward to hearing back on my question!

FYI: I bought my 7 Berkline 45012's from AV Concepts in Columbia IL:
http://www.audiovideoconcept.com/
The price was better than I could find on the internet and they're a local company.

Fabulous job, really! The decor, the lighting, etc were all PERFECT! You have EVERY right to be EXTREMELY proud! I'm sure you will be enjoying that room for years to come!

I was also extremely interested in your furniture. I'm in the process of having a custom home built for my wife and I and my wife "let" me install a dedicated 20' x 14' home theater (10 years of foot massages and "yes dears" finally paying off!)

In regard to your furniture, I am interested in a similar setup. My HT room as on my plans calls for a double tier set up. That is, two elevated seating sections with a final sunken section in the front of the room.

I had planned on setting things up the same way you have: individual reclining HT seating on top and a matching HT sofa on the row in front. My question to you (and my concern for this setup) - when you are sitting in the seats in the back row, does the top of the couch (or the top of people's heads) interfere with your viewing angle of the bottom of the screen? What about reclining? Can you recline in that back row and still see over the top of your couch and/or people's heads?

I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around placement, angles, screen placement, and how things things have to relate to one another...

Thanks for sharing your project and look forward to hearing back on my question!

Thank you very much.

The great thing about the seating is it's modular. All sections of the seating come apart. For instance, if I wanted to change the couch in the front to theater seats all I have to do is add two wedged dividers and it would look identical to the back row.

I don't have a problem at all viewing any part of the screen even when reclined. I used this program to help determine riser height. http://www.theater-calc.com

If your in the St. Louis area your more than welcome to come by and check it out.


FYI: I bought my 7 Berkline 45012's from AV Concepts in Columbia IL:
http://www.audiovideoconcept.com/
The price was better than I could find on the internet and they're a local company.

Thanks for the link. Berkline is a great brand. The price is also up there as well. I will be looking at them in a couple years when its time to get new furniture.