"Coming Soon" Home Theater

We started building in 2008 before we had sold our existing home....You can imagine how that went (and hence the theater name).

So now, after nearly 5 years we are getting to the basement. We had a room designed to house the theater during construction so the space is defined and after much lurking on the site I am within a couple of weeks of hanging drywall.

Room dimensions are 27' Deep x 20-4" wide and it is 10' tall with a 1 foot riser (Concrete) in the back

I had an overall layout done by Warren so my next step is pulling wire to all speaker and lighting locations prior to drywall going up.

Am currently planning on a 12 foot wide cinemascope screen (although after marking it up on the wall it seems small) so we will see.

Design and finish is likely to be minimalistic since after all this time i really would like to get this complete and i tend to go overboard on my trim details (see photos of adjoining game room and bar with the coffered ceiling i choose to do myself vs. drywall....goodbye 1 year!!)

I know i'll get comments about the double door, so before you say anything...it is staying (WAF) i just hope i can get it not to rattle.

currently trying to decide on lighting control and speakers (speakers in particular since this is an area where compromise won't do).







Edited by Stauff - 3/2/13 at 5:56am

Here are the overhead views Warren put together. There are only two rows of seats...the OH views overlap some. Still pretty general right now.

Need to run speaker wire to all possible current/future speaker locations plus 14/2 for the lights

Thinking at least 4 circuits:
behind screenwall
wall sconces and rope light under stage overhang
Main OH lighting
OH stage lights

Next step is:
quiet clips on the cieling then 3/4 OSB then GG and 5/8 drywall.
Twp layers of 5/8 with GG between on the staggered stud sidewalls.

Good question about the equipment RT....

Is it just me or are there more choices than ever for speakers/Subs.

Currently Considering:
Adam Audio GTC series
Golden Ear
RSL
JBL

My problem seems to be a lack of places to hear some of these brands anywhere near me.

I probably will try to go with a Receiver at this point since i'm likely to be budget challenged but I have looked at some of the Emotiva Pre/amp stuff. Anyone have any opinions? I know, I know not this group right?

Leaning toward one of the Sony PJ's but have not dug to deep into that yet. I expect to have a lot to consider between an AT screen and projector.
Edited by Stauff - 3/2/13 at 6:09am

Thanks for the input.

AV Rack delivered today. Got a pre-configured Middle atlantic from Custom AVRack.

What is the current concensus on lighting control? I see there is a sticky thread for Graphic eye.....

A few more pics of the progress this week.

The rack which I will hopefully be filling soon. Ordered from custom AV rack and delivered, surprisingly, fully assembled

A picture of the Tiger foam on the subfloor above the theater. Turned out to be much messier and smellier than expected.

Progress on the cabinets for the back of the bar in the adjoining room.




Job for the weekend will be assuring I have cables and wire to all locations before the lid gets put on starting Monday morning.

Finally...after much starting and stopping trying to find correct hat channel up in the middle of nowhere where I live, the drywall is complete.

Nice to see progress.

Ordered a 156" diagonal screen from Jamestown (what a nice guy!) which will be delivered around the second week of April.

So now to screen wall construction and sound treatment for the front wall.

Sounds like linacoustic AKA OC 705 at 1" is concensus?

Anyone know where i can find these products in MI?

As always, any feedback is welcome.

Here are a couple pictures of the current state

Picture of the completed screenwall. Next will be the stage.

I was hoping to use a flat black primer and have the contractor do all at once.

If you think not i'll get him in hear right away. I certainly appreciate the advise as I have seen your work on the forum...very nice!

Thanks for the note Geoff. I have been checking out the emotiva stuff. The price is certainly right. Not many independent reviews I've found.

So in the acoustic treatment master thread (which appears to have devolved by page 316) the discussion seemed to agree that 1" material on the the entire front wall is warranted. It of course needs to be black so stupid question. When i finally find some of this will i need to paint it somehow? If so what is the best way?

Thanks

A little update:

Returned from 9 days in Costa Rica ...and getting back to work.

Screen should be delivering shortly
ordered step lights
ordered LED light tape
Ordered an IR Repeater
Ordered A Pioneer SC-63 Receiver (all funds would allow for now)
and getting ready to pull the trigger on speakers Planning on 3 Adam Audion GTC-88's and 4 GTC 55's for surround
Will be getting room primed by the weekend and hopefully stage filled with sand and decked
and hoping to finalize my column design......

Still need to spec the Projector........

Thanks Mike.

Pulled the trigger on the Adam speakers...i look forward to sharing my impressions.

Received the Adam Audion speakers. They look like monsters.

Also have received the receiver and an Oppo BDP - 103.

Comments on the Oppo:

I ordered the Oppo on impulse after reading the review in Home Theater Magazine.

I set it up in my current media room where i have been using a PS3 to play movies.

What an amazing improvement in both sound and picture!

I would have never believed that a high end BD player could be so much better than another given that it is all a "digital" signal. If your using a PS3 i would definitely recommend an upgrade.

Not sure about the status of the Jamestown screen. Was promised a ship date around the middle of the month. I called and James promised it to ship by Friday a week ago but no word.

Lastly, I have ordered:
Anamorphic lens and horizontal slide
Sony VPL-HW50ES Projector
All from AV Science with the guidance of Mike Garret

Now I need to get back to work
Edited by Stauff - 4/27/13 at 5:14am

Current state:

Installing the 1" linacoustic equivalent on the back wall
I think i have figured out my column design in my head bbut have to draw it up
Finalizing a bulkhead design over the seating area that will allow for some projector mounting flexibility (throw and height as well as future cable access)
Need to fill stage with sand and cover with decking and install tape lights

Have been distracted getting my bar top completed but will have that ready for final sand/stain today.

I'll post some pics later of the progress.

I do have a couple questions maybe some of you can answer:

1) I assume I should cover the ceiling behind the screen wall with the 1" material ...but does anyone do anything with the floor? Mine is concrete.
2) What have folks done as far as speaker pedestals...I was thinking to build some from MDF and paint black
3) other thoughts on speaker arrangement? Center obviously horizontal...but what about the two mains? It seems i have seen some mounted horizontally and some vertically.

Here are some pictures...including one of the bar that has been taking up some of my time. Got the top done. Now some polyurethane and we'll be good to go.

Thanks for the encouragement!

Was able to get the first layer of decking cut for my stage and then it will be time to haul some sand!

Got a note that the projector, lens and slide have shipped!

Unfortunately I'm having trouble getting my screen shipped....4+ weeks overdue and every call is "oh, should ship in a few days" Needless to say I'm getting a bit frustrated.

I was able to get all the parts for my columns cut and the carpet is ordered. hopefully 2 weeks or so to have the space looking like a theater.

I have included a couple pictures of the current progress.

The stage is complete...the rear corner bass traps are in place and the next step will be the columns and projector bulkhead.

Should have the columns put together by the end of the day!

All equipment is now here with the exception of the screen.

The Adam audio speakers are amazing even though they are certainly underpowered by the current receiver. Highly recommended.

Some pictures of the progress so far:






Still a way to go to be ready for carpet..but have step lights for stage, columns going in, and some paint and a framework for the soffit over the seating area.