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HO's Basement - Take 2

19K views 207 replies 19 participants last post by  Mike_WI 
#1 ·
Alright - designing a 1.5 story house to break ground April/May 2014 and be finished Halloween/Christmas.


Here is the basement sketch from Punch. The left side of the drawing seems fairly set - what do we do about the bar, the theater screen, rest of the use of the room?


Suggestions? Thoughts?


Not sure how much storage we will need (have 2 kids, thinking 1-2 more) and wanted an AT screen placed so majority of room could see with access behind.


Thought about doing a dedicated theater dug out under the garage, but structural slab costs got scratched from the plan.


Soundproofing options? Just want to reduce sound to upstairs. Hat and channel the whole ceiling?

Speaker, Sub, Projector, and screen options? Seating ideas? Will most likely keep the quad UXL-18 sealed setup unless I need more. Currently interested in Noesis and a few others in that budget line.

Placement around room or all behind AT screen? Wiring? Lighting?


Fairly empty canvas here.
 
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#2 ·
No thoughts from me.
 
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#3 ·
I'm no help for soundproofing etc.


I will say though, that having the LCR speakers setup like that in a corner should greatly reduce the need for panels for the first and second wall reflections right? At least I think so, the reflections should be going behind the veiwers heads I would think. Of course there could be downsides to the acoustics with a corner setup, I don't know...


I do know that I'm jealous. That's a huge amount of space down there!! Looks like you better get 4 more uxl subs!!



Jedimastergrant would be the guy to ask about sound isolation and all that since he is now finishing up his dedicated room - we hope to see it here soon.



Good luck man, once again - jealous.
 
#5 ·
Kyle Bosso - I expected more.



Carp - I haven't decided on aspect ratio yet. I like 16:9 but the 2:35:1 or variations may be something to look at....really would be split between those about 50/50 or a tiny lean toward the 16:9. Big sports fan currently but I'm guessing as I get older it will start trending toward movies a bit more with the time I'll have available.


Is there anything out there on what aspect ratios will dominate the next decade? Will HD sports continue to be in 16:9? Will 2:35:1 continue to be the blu-ray format of choice? Things I haven't looked at yet.


Ceiling height will be 9'.


I put it in the corner for AT easy access and view for entire room (for the most part).


I think I'll likely be moving the fireplace back to the corner behind the S on shuffleboard if I can still feasibly get a small seating area by it as well as a regulation or close to sized shuffleboard down the road along that wall. Before I didn't think I'd have enough room - but that stretch to the door is about 30' so should be ok.


Trying to think of seating configurations as well as viewing angles for large parties from the bar over to the nook on the right of the screen.


Anyways, appreciate any help - first time and maybe last time ever designing a house from scratch.


I'm also not sure if I'll have "enough" displacement for that room size, I might have to take the drivers out and get ported boxes (I can't believe I just typed that). Or just double up on subs or maybe get Mark to get me 4-21" FTWs for the bottom of the AT screen.


What about hiding a couple subs in the bar seating area base or a couple on a seating bench that could be under the window nook on the right rear of the basement?


I suppose this is where you pay the man to design something but I'd rather not.
 
#6 ·
Thats a nice large space! Soundproofing that large of an area can add up quick I bet. A lot of good info on http://www.soundproofingcompany.com/ Might contact them and see what they think.


If you use that current wall, could do a baffle wall speaker setup possibly using something like the seos 24 and then just do AT screen over the wall. Could go IB subs as well. I agree with that size room a minimum moving those drivers into ported enclosures would be a good idea. They work in G-horns also!


Is a second row riser a possibility or what are you thinking for seats? If not I guess large couch and couple recliners or one long row of curved theater seats/love seats would work.


For that large of a multi use space with large screen going to need a high output projector.


I am not sure when acoustically a space isn't considered small anymore with regards to modes and multiple subs spaced apart and room reverberation. Maybe someone else can chime in.


Cool looking room and will be following how this all comes together. I bounced around the idea to find a way to get a shuffleboard in my place but its a no go. Very nice!
 
#7 ·
Any thoughts on the bar size? Too long?


I used to have it protruding more into the room but made it long and skinny to make the usable space bigger out there.


Definitely will need a HO projector....I'll look into the SEOS kits for sure for the mains. Trying to figure out how and where and what for surrounds. I don't know if I can do or want to do infinite baffle but large horns may be consideration with the room behind the screen.

I'm thinking about light cannons like the BenQs and things you can get in the 5-6k range - similar to the one the winery/dinner theater bought next door here in Sully, Iowa - he has a thread on here.


What kind of screens will be good for 4k material? Does that matter? How large of a screen do you start looking at a curved screen? Why do people do that? (Haven't read up on that ever).


Emailed soundproofingcompany.


LK- I plan on just open framing for the AT screen where that diagonal wall is - and not frame it out...so essentially just a big rectangle framed instead of a typical standard wall - but yes I think we are thinking the same thing.
 
#8 ·
Why not put some of that huge space towards a dedicated home theater?


I think you are heading in the wrong direction.


The windows are problematic, audio-wise, and video-wise. The angled screen

has no reflective side walls. Soundproofing all of that space will likely fail, or be

a huge expense. And yet I keep seeing mention of some very solid gear.
 
#9 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tedd  /t/1497591/hos-basement-take-2#post_23915373


Why not put some of that huge space towards a dedicated home theater?


I think you are heading in the wrong direction.


The windows are problematic, audio-wise, and video-wise. The angled screen

has no reflective side walls. Soundproofing all of that space will likely fail, or be

a huge expense. And yet I keep seeing mention of some very solid gear.

Ok - I get that because I've given that advice before. Unless I get the rough quote back for the house here soon and its 30k cheaper than I think I can't dig under the garage and absorb that expense.


Where would you put it in the current outline of the basement? Requirements: I want a bar, spare bedroom, full/3/4 bath, gym/workout area, storage.


I don't plan on soundproofing anything but just installing built in bass traps and other things to limit what I can - I know there is no way to make it like a dedicated theater.


I just don't see the utility to have a dedicated theater at this point if I can only afford that vs an all use room.


I mean, the obvious spot would be that bottom right corner, but that would be for a small, dedicated theater with 2 rows of 2 or 3 seats and a 100" screen, no?
 
#10 ·
I'll redraw tomorrow and see what you guys think with a small dedicated theater and a bit smaller and maybe relocated screen for the larger area.


If I do that I'm not sure if I would do a projector in the general entertaining area, but I'm not sure I can go back to a TV!
 
#12 ·




What about something like this?


Can that theater size do 3 seats wide and 2 rows? Minimum depth I need for 2 rows and what AT screen size? Doable? I don't know how I can do AT and get 2 rows.... other than making the whole house bigger.


If I go this route I'd want to pour all walls for the dedicated theater portion during the foundation pour - then I have the ceiling you'd have to soundproof the hell out of if it was wood.
 
#14 ·
Great to see your new build thread.


RE: "Thought about doing a dedicated theater dug out under the garage, but structural slab costs got scratched from the plan."


A friend of mine had a soccer area under his 3 car garage. The floor of the garage was spancrete.
http://www.spancrete.com/
http://www.spancrete.com/building_solutions/residential/

Quote:
Originally Posted by HuskerOmaha  /t/1497591/hos-basement-take-2#post_23901657


Alright - designing a 1.5 story house to break ground April/May 2014 and be finished Halloween/Christmas.


Here is the basement sketch from Punch. The left side of the drawing seems fairly set - what do we do about the bar, the theater screen, rest of the use of the room?


Suggestions? Thoughts?


Not sure how much storage we will need (have 2 kids, thinking 1-2 more) and wanted an AT screen placed so majority of room could see with access behind.


Thought about doing a dedicated theater dug out under the garage, but structural slab costs got scratched from the plan.


Soundproofing options? Just want to reduce sound to upstairs. Hat and channel the whole ceiling?

Speaker, Sub, Projector, and screen options? Seating ideas? Will most likely keep the quad UXL-18 sealed setup unless I need more. Currently interested in Noesis and a few others in that budget line.

Placement around room or all behind AT screen? Wiring? Lighting?


Fairly empty canvas here.
 
#15 ·
RE: "Soundproofing options? "


I used QuietRock on interior walls and ceiling.

Even with multiple HVAC runs over the ceiling, it is still very quiet.
 
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#16 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by carp  /t/1497591/hos-basement-take-2#post_23920875


Since the door to the room is in on the back wall I don't think you could fit a second row in with a 14 6 length room.

I have a 6 seat configuration that may work. Ill sketch up and show you guys.
 
#17 ·




Better dedicated theater size? Modified a couple things to flow a bit better. Thought an angled bar and moved back a bit so if people watching they wouldn't have heads in line if sitting at bar.


For dedicated theater seating, 3 rows of pairs of seating so you could make them fit, or 2 rows of 3 seats? Just playing around with it.
 
#18 ·
Are these walls working around support columns?


Since you have 9' of headroom, could the stairs do a turn at the bottom, that could widen out the

theater? And if you had a landing and matched the riser height to the extended landing, and then

finished off the last two steps, you could carve out a wider theater and maybe even create a dramatic

entry.


A very rough idea sketch:

HuskerOmaha.jpg 119k .jpg file
 

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#19 ·
I think this is going in a very good direction. It sounds like 6 seats will fit your family and can always throw down a couple bean bags for kids. This way you have much better control of acoustics and light for screen and can use current sub setup. Can also easier to do proper soundproofing. Imo the benefits of having a controlled dedicated space that will be used by you and less than a handful of people a large majority of the time outweigh the benefits of a large multi purpose entertainment space.


I say throw a tv or cheap projector behind the bar like buffalo wild wings or other sports bars do with a couple stereo speakers. Can put a couple tall bar tables behind bar or by shuffleboard. This way have great hang out multipurpose area for gameday groups... and when its time to get down to serious business a theater is just around the corner.
 
#20 ·
New leader in the clubhouse. I can't take all the credit for this one.


Keeps my dedicated theater as well as a larger space...better utilization of things...I was stuck on keeping bedroom conforming but this works.




Ideas/suggestions?


(Tedd - walls can move so far, plan on doing a large I beam no posts....but no prints yet early stage)
 
#22 ·
I like the latest floorplan. Now you have space at the front of the theater for some infinite baffle subs.
You could build a baffle wall like MKTheater just finished.


Another idea is to dig the home theater 3ft lower and put a suspended floor in for the theater with an IB manifold at each floor corner. You will get a great tactile experience. You could access the crawlspace from the front screen access area. If you fill the floor joists with insulation, the floor becomes a big bass trap, too.


Nebrunner used the area under his stairs for his rack. You could do something similar and eliminate the AV Room. My parents had a nonconforming bedroom at the same location. They put in a window well to make it conforming. You can make it out retaining blocks and use it for terraced flower or vegetable beds.
 
#26 ·
I think I'd look into pocket doors instead of swing style....if they have any out there that seal as well as a regular door. Or double pockets, something so you don't need 2.5 feet off the back wall. I don't want the theater to overtake the basement, I still want a general TV/sports area and the popcorn/prep area -
 
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