The "Z" Family Theater

CURRENT PROGRESS:

Finally some change! I still have a lot of 'touch up' to do, but we've already moved some stuff down.

After moving one couch down, I'm thinking the new (still unused) couch I bought a year or so ago for the theater will not fit down the stairs (tight corner). Looks like I'll have to sell and get some "theater seats" like W00lly!











The front room that's still movie friendly.










__________________________________________________





After talking to the finace about wanting my own "home theater", she's finally given me the "okay", however, there is a catch... The spare space in the basement will be a play room for my daughter (It'll look more adult-like though, I hope).

Anyway, today the framing started down in the basement. I was originally going to do it myself, however, I got a couple quotes on what it would cost just for someone else to do the framing (I'm doing most of the rest). The first quote came back at just over $3,100 for just for the job and material (wood). Knowing that seemed high, I waited for the second quote to come back. The second one was $675 for everything (metal studs) or $9xx for wood. I was looking to go with metal studs for several reasons, so I chose that. After looking at the cost of materials, some of the tools I don't have and paying my soon-to-be brother in-law to help out a little and most of all, my time, I figured I wouldn't have saved any money if I did it myself.

Today the crew came in and worked 4 hours and got most of the work done. They are due back this weekend to finish up the rest.

I'm not aiming to have a theater that looks like you're actually at a nice theater. I am really aiming for something like Landshark's sweet setup I just want a decicated room that still makes me feel like I'm at home. A clean look with no wires showing is what I like most. I also didn't want all the annoying lights from equipment to bug me while I'm watching a movie (not to mention the noise of an Xbox360), so everything will be in a separate closet (with an IR extender). This is the plan anyway... I am very open to any other idea's, thoughts, suggestions as I can't think of everything. If you have any constructive input, please share!

I am going to go with a 100" screen (not sure which one yet) and an Epson 1080UB.

Here is a quick sketch I did late one night with Google Sketch Up. For the most part, the deminsions are correct, but the shape is a little off and I haven't added in the closet (I have it, but it's on another computer.





At this point, I was just trying to visualize what I can do with what I have to work with (maing room will be about 11'6" x 24').



I'll run wire to where the sub box (pictured) is sitting and another one up front so I have options for sub placement.


Here's the work they did today. I plan to do almost everything after the framing is done.

Screen area


Back of theater


Where the "COMM" closet will be.


The "play room" for my daughter... In a few years.


Back of the play room and storage area.


Nothing much right now, but should be fun to play some COD4 soon!

Hey Scott! Sorry I haven't called you. I've meant to, but I've been super-busy this last week. I started a new job, working on the basement, and playing Mr. Mom when I'm not at work.

Anyway, I will give you a call tomorrow (I'll PM you my number too). I would really like to check your setup out and talk with you some more about what I could do better with my build. Maybe I could have you out my way sometime.

As far as the gaps, there is already a foil type of tape on the seams between each panel, where else should I seal?



Thank you for the advice. The final placement of the couch, speakers, etc will be after the room is done. I don't really want to move the couch back much as I would be defeating the point of a big screen at 1080p . I will be wiring for the sub at opposite corners of the room. More than likely, the sub will be placed near a corner and this will give me good placement to go just about anywhere in the room.

I'm not quite sure what you mean about aiming the surrounds at each other. Why should I do that?

I just looked at THX's recommendation and they recommend that the rear speakers be placed near the center of the rear room and faced forward. Where you are finding the other?

Okay. I think I'll worry about that once everything is built. I'll run the wire, but mounting will be later. I am trying to figure out how I want to do my rack. I'll have to post a picture of what I was thinking and maybe someone can help me out a bit.

Any bigger and the speakers will block the screen. I'm guessing the image would be pretty crappy on a black speaker grill 2 feet in front of where the rest of the screen is. I also don't want to put my speakers all the way into the wall/corner either.

Awesome! Thanks Scott. Since you're offering, I'll more than likely take you up on that.

Yep, the framing is all done. I'll post pictures soon. I about to get a bite to eat, then I've got to finish replacing the broken axle in my SHO. I'm supposed to head to Lincoln tonight for a car meet.

I have to figure out what type of rack I want to do as I need to modify the framing to allow for a rack. I'll need to figure out what type of lighting I really want to do too, I guess.

Here are the pictures of the framing pretty much done. I have to frame the soffits myself and I will also add a closet and an opening to mount an actively cooled and filtered A/V rack in the closet.

Here are the pics.










Storage...




Here is a rough drawing of where I want to have the A/V equipment.






Still open for ideas...

I heavily considered an AT screen. I guess when I mean clean, I mean less work to do when I move out and convert this to a bedroom. I could build an AT screen and hide my LCR and sub which would definitely clean it up, but how will this affect music? I listen to music quite often too.

Everything I've read shows the bigger the screen, the further you end up sitting back. If I have to sit back further for the larger screen, does it really make a difference? 10ft from a 100" screen will be HUGE! I've been using a 40" for my "theater" for the last two years.

If I were to go with an AT screen, how would you suggest I do it?

I'm on the south end of Bellevue. I'm going to check out Scott's theater soon, but would love to see yours as well!

Do you have any pictures hosted?



I wouldn't mind it, that's for sure. I could use a few ideas here and there. You think you have everything figured out until you start the work.

I just got back from Scott's (W00lly) house and man is that theater SWEET! I played COD4 in the front row and got dizzy when I first sat down. After getting myself oriented, it was still almost too large for me at that distance. I really liked the speakers hidden behind the screen... Although, the woman of the house wouldn't let me spend that kind of money on the same type of screen.

I won't be able to get out your way today... Maybe tomorrow I can stop by? I start my job Wednesday (for the second time; paper mix up and was sent home PAID), so after tomorrow, weekends are about my best bet for awhile, however the next two weekends are taken as I'll be in Ohio for one and Colorado for the other.

Scott, thank you VERY much for the tour! You've raised the excitement bar ten fold. If you wouldn't mind e-mailing or PM'ing me your contacts (electrical, drywall delivery, etc), I would appreciate it!

After doing some thinking (go figure...), I think I'm going to go with a false wall and an AT screen. I would really like to clean up the look, however, I'll still be with a 100" screen. I want to keep plenty of brightness as I don't like to always be in the dark.

I'll have to use a black fabric to put the front L/R speakers and sub behind (center will be behind screen), are there any recommendations for fabric? I'd like something very "acoustically transparent" without being able to see through it. I'd like to keep it looking like a flat wall as well.



Scott, when are you going to be out this way??? I could use some help brainstorming with someone who's done this.

Scott, anytime this week would be great, however, I don't want to drag you all the way this far if it's a hassle. I get off work around 4, so I'll be here anytime after 6.


I just put all the front speakers down in the front and definitely want to hide all the clutter. This just seems like too much going on... anyone else think so?







Here's a quick sketch of what I was thinking...

I just picked my screen material... Here is a comparison of the two that I was looking at.



I did some testing with it in front of one of my smaller speakers in the living room and the sound didn't have much change in it at all. If any tonal change was to note, it would be in the higher frequencies, but I don't think I would really notice in real world situations.

Well, it's 6 months later and I have the go ahead to finish the basment/theater. I had the electric wiring installed today by the same guy that W00lly used (although I think I was working just as hard). I've been gauging how much speaker and subwoofer cable I'll need to order from Blue Jeans. I've got about 300 ft of speaker 10AWG speaker cable to buy and a 30ft and 40ft run of subwoofer cable. My longest run for speaker will be just under 50ft for one of the rear speakers.

I have to put in the soffits and tray for the basment here soon. I'll then run the speaker/sub wires, 3" conduit for the projector, and then start thinking about drywall.

I have also received my screen material from Chris at Seymour AV. I got a steal for enough material to make a 100" 16x9 screen!

Anyway, here are some pictures from today.

Theater






A/V closet - I have 2 - 20 amp circuits just for this room.