AVS Forum banner

Doug's Stealthy living room HT

48K views 232 replies 61 participants last post by  Ladeback 
#1 · (Edited)
I remodel one room of my 1975 home per year and this year it is the living room on the main floor, which is the primary room we use to relax, watch TV and movies, listen to music, entertain guests. My goal in the remodel of this room is to put as much of the good stuff from a dedicated HT into the main room of our home without it looking any different than a "normal" room - stealthy, if you will. I have some decent gear that I have put together so far that sounds pretty nice. This gear is copious and huge, which represents the first challenge of this project, which is to make it inconspicuous. I have finished the first part of this project, building it. Now it's time to finish and dial in the a/v gear, automation, room treatments.

The main goals and needs for this room are:
1) WAF
2) reference 9.2 audio with "stealth" integration
3) hardwood floors
4) family functional


Challenges
1) reflections from the new hardwoods
2) vaulted ceilings
3) large bass-traps, diffusers, ect. are not wife approved
4) multiple openings into the room.
5) rattles
6) cost

Before:

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_3837_zps8d4bc893.jpg.html

This wall gets removed, an island goes where the subs are
http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_3841_zps82d4d362.jpg.html

This will be the new screen wall with the a/v rack built in to the wall on the right
http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_3838_zpsb695e42e.jpg.html

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_3839_zpse75e4ebb.jpg.html

The fireplace gets covered in stone veneer
http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_3840_zpsf51f9711.jpg.html

Now
[/URL]







SDX15 ported build thread HERE
 
See less See more
8
#2 ·
Equipment:

Onkyo 818 a/v receiver

DIYsoundgroup Volt V8 ported surrounds

Bwaslo's AE TD12M and SEOS/DNA-360 mains

2 Gjallarhorn subs with TC Sounds LMS-U 5400

MiniDSP

Sanway fp14000 sub amp

Vizeo 60 LCD

Insteon lighting control

LED lighting

Jrule integration

JRiver audio and video files


Future additions:

tab tensioned 120" motorized PJ screen

TBD projector

OPPO 103




So far we have two of these
http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/DriverLMS-U_zps94de1a1e.jpg.html


In two of these
http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_4254_zpsbb4c503f.jpg.html

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/IMG_4325_zps77d6336a.jpg.html


6 of these
http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd...e-4cbd-b02a-ce5e84879d8f_zps04c36404.jpg.html


in 6 of these
http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2205_zpsca1f78f6.jpg.html
 
#3 ·
I had already decided to put the giant subs in the attic, firing down into the room. Where in the attic was the issue. I thought that the corners would be the natural place, but turns out not.


One of the very first things I did was to do a reverse "sub crawl," where I put a sub in the proposed LP and moved the mic around the room to find the best response. I also used REW's Room Simulator to find the best positions in relation to my LP. The open floorplan makes things tricky, and so does trying to simulate two subs that are in the air on an angle. I put the subs on the floor in the proposed positions and they sounded and measured pretty nice. So I began demo.

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2129_zps9f1a629c.jpg.html

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2130_zps8202551c.jpg.html

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2135_zpsf6262fd1.jpg.html

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/htfwall_zps1f56708e.png.html
 
#4 ·
I decided the wall between the two doors in the above photo needed to go to open up the kitchen. This would require a long header to support the ceiling in part of the kitchen on the other side of the wall. The ceiling only has 24" center 2x6 studs and 1/2" drywall, so I researched and found that I could make it instead of using expensive microlam since the weight is light and is not a weight-bearing floor above - only attic space.


The kitchen ceiling rests on this beam, so my new beam will have to support this one. It currently sets on the wall I'm removing.
http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/beams_zps62967ba4.png.html
 
#6 ·
The new beam was lifted to place and secured to the other beam with something that resembles a heavy duty joist-hanger. Ceiling jacks removed and on to the sub placement. My wife was very happy with the new wide open space. We do a lot of entertaining, so this will hopefully facilitate people not having the need to all jam in to the kitchen when we have parties.

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_4281_zps3dc1d224.jpg.html

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_4282_zpsf65a39b5.jpg.html
 
#7 ·
The next step was to get the 350 pound subs into the attic and then scoot them back and forth until I find the smoothest response in a room that is not drywalled. I used the rough cedar beams that I tore down from the ceiling and built a ramp to the attic. I used another and built another beam in the attic to attach an engine winch to. Thank you Archaea for loaning me this!!!


I ran several 2x6 across the top of the ceiling joists where the subs would sit. These also serve the purpose of sliding the subs back and forth for placement.


I strapped the sub to a furniture dolly and used climbing webbing and gear to get these heavy beast up safely. Luckily I had a few friends to help, but 99% of the work was done by the winch. It was a breeze!

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_4332_zps44462fba.jpg.html

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_4336_zps2aeb61be.jpg.html

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_4338_zps67c54ba0.jpg.html

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_4342_zps60fe507b.jpg.html

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_4347_zps278f91df.jpg.html
 
#8 ·
One of the goals is to keep the audio gear hidden, yet be reference capable from 15hz up flat. One thing I am worried about is my lack of options for room treatments. Building some open top soffits is a good way to add 4 rolls of R16 (pink fluffy) to help trap some bass and ease reflections. I decided on using metal stud channel and 2x4 to build this floating soffit around the room, and for the peak as a cloud to add some more treatment area and to cover an ugly rough cedar beam. I spent a lot of time getting these things level, and I'm so glad that I did. Every step after is much easier if the foundation pieces are square. I'm within 1/8" all the way around, btw


http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_4351_zps29479d65.jpg.html

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_4354_zps157ed349.jpg.html

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_4355_zps4998b98a.jpg.html
 
#9 ·
Next up is installing the surrounds. I'll add a link to the build and discussion above, but in a nutshell, I decided on the DIYSG V8 ported coaxial design because of it's relatively small enclosure for the ported alignment, wide axis, and incredible sound for a ridiculous price. I followed the THX charts for surround placement for rears, sides, front wides, and LCR. Each enclosure uses a different angled front baffle to aim the speaker just over the head of the MLP, which means that I had to design 3 different boxes for each location. Once finished, I cut away a section of the metal channel and slid them in their place in the soffit. The boxes were designed and built before the soffit, so the installation was fairly easy fastening them in to place.

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2210_zpsc8d07bae.jpg.html

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2213_zps4564b022.jpg.html

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2214_zpsdee24390.jpg.html

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2215_zps21ba2627.jpg.html

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2216_zpse9cc3c47.jpg.html

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2218_zps07ce53a6.jpg.html
 
#10 ·
The ceiling joists received some more bracing and some Baltic Birch wrap on the inside of the joists. These give support and are the backing for some speaker grills that will be flush with the wall.

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2219_zps35b98d0d.jpg.html



This is the back of the a/v cabinet freshly framed in. This is over the stairs that go down to our basement so, free real estate gained there. I installed 4 outlets on a 20 amp line, dedicated 30 amp line, cat5, coax, and every other wire I thought I could ever need. Also 16g wire to all of the surrounds, 12g wire to the two subs directly overhead, and 3 additional sub runs for rear corners and near field.

 
#11 ·
I broke down and paid the man to hang the drywall for me. They were not impressed with all of the angles and such, and charged accordingly. I'm picky about finish work, so I opted to finish it myself and save some dough. They did an OK job and hung it all in a day and installed the outside corners.

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2231_zps15e2f813.jpg.html

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2230_zpsa9ece9a9.jpg.html

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2228_zpse9a6579a.jpg.html

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2225_zpsce890dc8.jpg.html


the a/v closet didn't fit in the budget, so I did this myself with the leftovers
 
#12 ·
After countless hours of finishing all of these angles and corners, I rolled on PVA primer, then sprayed on two coats of ceiling white with my airless sprayer.

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2282_zps0ee0c73c.jpg.html


I had to install the surrounds to make sure they sound good - they do. So I hooked up the subs too. These will all be covered with an L-shaped grill so that they disappear in to the soffit.

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2283_zpsf7d16dbf.jpg.html
 
#16 ·
Thanks guys - notice the photo quality gets worse as I progress since I lost the SD card for the 5d.


I stuffed a roll of R16 in each side of the soffit. It is amazing how the echoes disappeared with just a couple of hours of work. The one at the vault is also stuffed with about a half a roll.
http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2312_zpsf5da46be.jpg.html


I used some maple ply for the a/v rack and iron-on veneer for the edges. The blue around it will be the color of the screen wall.

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2327_zps9970e492.jpg.html

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2313_zpsb2c448b2.jpg.html

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2329_zpsd1d715f4.jpg.html

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2330_zpsf45bce05.jpg.html

 
#19 ·
I did the hearth next because the stone sits on top of it. The forms are from http://concretecountertopsolutions.com/ and are very easy to work with. Cut them to fit with your mitre say and screw them in to a concrete board base with 1/2" screws, duct tape the corners, fill 'er up. They just snap off once the concrete cures.

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2351_zps75dc652c.jpg.html

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2353_zpsfb4e95d5.jpg.html
 
#22 · (Edited)
HI use Kilz oil through my airless sprayer for all of the woodwork. I also installed base all the way around and sanded down 9 solid panel doors to paint at the same time. My house looked like one of Dexter's kill rooms.

http://s20.photobucket.com/user/ocd_reef/media/Home Theater/IMG_2426_zpsc056e71c.jpg.html

Yesterday I hit a major benchmark: spraying the top coat of enamel. It's all easy stuff from here on out. I spent 14 hours sanding, filling holes that weren't quite flat, and caulking. My wife helped me with some caulking at the end of the night and then finished 6 sides of the doors while I was at work for the next two days, which really helped me out. It is VERY tedious work to do right. She wouldn't let me take a photo of her working on them to put of Facebook that says, "Mary sure knows her way around the caulk." She did a great job and I wanted to brag, so what's the big deal?


I use Sherwin Williams 50% Vellum ProClassic semi-gloss enamel for all my trim. It lays down awesome with the airless. I am very happy with how it turned out - zero runs, which is a near-miracle for me with this much product


My glass for the a/v rack door was delivered as I was spraying, so I installed this after I cleaned everything up and recovered from the vapors. I can't wait to get the good gear all loaded up in the rack and wautch some movies!

Glass company I ordered from: Onedayglsss.com







I bought this today and will be here in 7 days, so I have some painting of walls to do

 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top