Ronnie's Home Theater Construction Begins - Page 2

After a few mockups, I decided on the following setup for the columns. Stage columns will be curved to match the soffit and steps. Outside edges will be 36 inches away from back wall. Inside edge will be 31 inches away from back wall. the inside edge will be 17" from the screen wall. That should allow plenty of room to get speakers behind it without making the screens removable. The columns will extend 36 inches towards center of stage from side walls. That should allow 12-16" of curtain material.

Thanks for all the input. Here is the final Sketchup.



Ronnie

After finally deciding on the exact layout, I did some work today. I built the stage speaker columns and painted them black. In order to keep the screen material rounded to match the soffit and steps, I cut 1/4 slats of plywood and placed them every 2 feet. Im hoping this will give the GOM a nice rounded look. The top and bottom peices were cut out of a 2x12 using a jigsaw. What a pain. I used 2x3's for the side studs.







Ronnie

Its 2x4's painted black. They will eventually be covered with fabric and the black paint will keep the wood from showing through the fabric.

Ronnie

Yes, that space is for the center channel speakers. It gives me the option of putting them above or below the screen.

The wood is 1/4 oak plywood. It was wrapped around the frame and stained.

My website has a lot of the details. The link is below.

Ronnie

Chris, Most likely I will be placing them behind the left and right columns.

The space you see behind the soffit will get finished out. I have a couple of ideas. Im thinking about finishing it out with black material. Starting at the front edge of the soffit, I would bring the material towards the back about 12-14 inches. The plan is also to put in 3" can lights. It should look similar to the final Sketchup a few posts back.

I also thought about doing hidden lighting as you mentioned. Maybe putting the lights about 3-4 inches up into the area behind the soffit. I just need to figure out how I would dress that out to make it look good.

Either way, the curtains and swags will tie directly into the back of the items above. I will have some space above and behind the swags, similar to the issue above, but that should be ok. I dont think you would ever see it unless you were standing against the screen.

I hope all that makes sense. Hard to describe it.

Ronnie

Thanks guys. I wish I had more time to devote to the build. Seems like weekends are about the only time I can really do anything constructive.

Im going to try to work on the can lighting for the stage this week.

Does anyone know where I can find a couple of very low profile can lights or similar? I need 2 lights that will go above the steps in the soffit to light up the steps and front speaker screens. The issue I have is the existing soffit on the sides. It extends 2 feet out and its preventing me from centering a normal can light. I need a lamp that is 4" or less tall. That would allow me to mount it under the existing soffit, but flush with the new front soffit. I dont really want to cut a hole in the existing sheetrock. If I could just find some very low profile lights, that would work. The rest of the stage lights will be 3" 50watt halogen can lights.

Ronnie

anyone have any suggestion for my lights above the speaker screens on the left and right of the stage? I would like to keep the look of the can lights i will be placing across the front if possible. My issue is that I need some that have a low profile. 4" or less for the sides. Does that product exist?

Ronnie

Perfect Sandman. I knew they were out there somewhere. I found some locally that were 5" tall and will work for most of my needs, but had a little trouble finding any that were 4" or less. Looks like thats a good source. I will check out a few larger specialty lighting stores in my area.

I agree on 12v. I would like to stay with line voltage. Makes everything easier. Using a GRX-3106 to run everything.

Ronnie

Funny you mention that. I was going to stop by there this evening on my way home from work to check out some GOM samples. I hear they have them over there. I will check out the lighting also. Thats a cool place to look around anyway.

Ronnie

Since I cant afford the real Martin Logans, I thought I would create the next best thing........ Replica's

I can always tell the uninformed they are real


What a coincidence you bring this up, because I just got done listening so some Martin Logans about an hour ago at "Tweeter". Very nice.

Ronnie

I picked up some supplies today.

Linacoustics RC
Commando Cloth
Speaker Fabric

This should allow me to provide you guys with some more progress pics this weekend on the proscenium.



Ronnie

No. They have 5 billion other fabric products, but the lady I was dealing with had never heard of it. I wil probably just order the samples.

Ronnie

Today I finished up the Linacoustic behind the stage. I plan on working on the can lighting, Speaker fabric covers and Commando for screen wall tomorrow.






Ronnie

Thanks Ruben. Hopefully it will turn out at least 1/2 as nice as your project. I still feel like I cant see the end of the tunnel

Ronnie

I wasnt able to get as much done as I had planned this weekend. I had some company over and I also spent most of today cleaning up the room. Its amazing how much waste you build up.

I did finish up the Linacoustic as you saw above. I also finished putting the grille cloth on the front two proscenium columns. The curves turned out nice and clean. You can barely see the framework for them under direct flash photography, but under regular room lighting, they look nice and smooth. Im pretty satisfied with the way they turned out.

With all the black material and insulation, its getting harder to take good clear pics.


Right Side Column Left Side Column

Side Profile of the Curvature

Ronnie