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AT Theater build

58K views 1K replies 42 participants last post by  pkinneb 
#1 · (Edited)
Folks - it is my pleasure to start my own theater build out thread. I am hoping to share progress as well as seek clarifications and guidance as I move forward with this.

To provide a background I am finishing my basement and assigning one room as a theater room. The room has a dimension of approx. 15.5 X 13 sq.ft. I will post exact measurements later. I have attached a layout of the basement as it stands now.

On the area where you see a door in the theater room, that is actually the door that goes under the stairs. I have asked the crew to flatten that area out and put the door on the opposite side of where it is shown in the picture. The reason for why it is shown this way is that there was an existing partially finished basement with this structure which we have now ripped out. My plan is to have the AT screen in front of it.

In terms of equipment, I already have a few things that I have purchased. I am planning maybe a 5.1 system although I may prewire for a 7.2. I am perhaps not inclined to do Atmos at this time given the small size of the room. Equipment inventory is as follows.
1. LCR - three JBL studio 590s (purchased)
2. Rear - two JBL studio 580s (purchased)
3. Receiver - Denon 4400h (purchased)
4. Subwoofer - to be purchased
5. Projector - need a short throw projector
6. Screen - leaning towards a silver ticket AT screen

The current phase of construction is that all demo work has been completed and framing planned to start on Aug 15th. I am using a basement company who has their own materials they are using for the job. Any changes would lead to an increase in cost. Regular insulation will be used, not any specific sound proof one. I am hoping this should be fine because I have no need to soundproof the theater at this time given that I have a lot of space between me and my neighbors and this should not be an issue.

I have also attached some pics of how the basement stands now. More to come.


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#4 ·
Hello - thank you. If you look at the plan I posted, it has an unfinished areas with a door. That wall will have the combustion grill, not the theater wall to my knowledge. I can reconfirm. Also about soundproofing, are you recommending something additional I should do?

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#5 ·
There is only one true short throw 4k pj that I am aware of. If you can make the BenQ ht3550 (1.13 throw, check the measurements on projector central dot com) work that what I would go with.

Otherwise you are looking at USTs or 1080p PJs.


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#6 ·
Given that there is going to be standard drywall and standard ceiling is there anything I need to add from a soundproofing perspective. I just learnt that the contractors are not adding any insulation to ceiling. I have some extra r13 insulation I can request if they can tuck it in for the ceiling. Is there anything I need to do for better sound dispersion and absorption? Not looking for a super professional theater but just a home use one which is good for watching movies with kids or listening to music. I am also open to things I could do on my own on top of the drywalls after the contractors are done.

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#7 ·
Ask them to use 5/8 drywall instead of the current norm of ultra lightweight 1/2 inch. Same labor, a few dollars a sheet more in materials. I’m assuming that the inside of the utility space will be left unfinished you could add some Roxul insulation between the studs after your contractor leaves.
 
#9 · (Edited)
Jeff - when you say utility space are you referring to the closet in the attached picture? I am planning to use that space for my av equipment. Insulation between the frames in the theater room will be done by the contractor. They are using mold resistant insulation with water protection. Are you asking me to add roxul insulation between the studs on top of their insulation and before they put drywall?



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#17 ·
I used a silverticket 155" AT screen (pretty sure thats the size its 15x) and its been great. Easy enough to put together and its held up just fine with my 7 ported 18's behind it. I compared it to a few other screen materials and it was my favorite in person and I found no real difference with it for sound. For the price its hard to beat IMO and Prime.

I know you said you didnt want to do atmos but I would suggest running lines for it just in case you change your mind down the line. $100 or less of wire would save you a big headake later.
 
#18 ·
Folks - framing is starting tomorrow. I have a couple of questions.

1. Contractor is willing to upgrade the sheet rock for the theater room from thin sheet rock to 5/8 inch double layer with green glue in-between for $4/sq ft. I will know exact cost when they measure. Is it worthwhile getting this upgrade.

2. The existing ceiling has insulation at places. The contractor will not be installing ceiling insulation. If I want them to put it then that is extra. Do basements need ceiling insulation?

3. The room currently has no door to enter. Contractor is willing to upgrade to double doors for $275. Should I do it for the theater room? Also this will be regular doors not French doors. French doors are around $700. Is there a reason to choose one over the other?

Regards
Azeez

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#19 ·
1) looks like it will be a $2600 item and IMHO is not worth it unless you hang the drywall on a clip and channel isolation system which should run about $600 in materials.
2) Every cavity adjacent to theater walls and ceilings should have insulation.
3) A double door will be the weakest link in sound isolation, I assume you mean a french door with glass panels. See my next comment.

In my opinion your approach to introduce sound isolation at this late stage is too little planning too late in the game. For sound isolation to be effective the duct work that may connect this room with others needs to be addressed so sound doesn't travel using the duct work. Every hole cut for lights, outlets, switches speakers in the drywall needs a backer box or putty pads to seal the holes otherwise you have Swiss cheese, The door should be a single solid core 1 3/4 thick door with airtight perimeter door seals. Given that the room will be airtight a dedicated HVAC return in addition to whatever supplies are planed needs to be installed, I suspect that is not in the plan. If you do all that then hanging two layers of 5/8 on clips and channel you will have a high performance room.
 
#27 ·
Is your basement damp?
No it's not. If you remember in one of the earlier threads I had talked about how on tearing down the old basement we found a few water spots on the wall. Since then I have taken several external and internal actions. Basement is very dry. No flooding on floors etc.

If water does come from a couple of small weep holes i drilled at the bottom of the wall in two to three places it will go to the 3 inch channel that exists all around the basement. It will not come to the floor. I was just asking if green board would be an additional layer of protection.

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#31 ·
The contract does not include ceiling insulation. Is there a reason to spend on installing insulation in ceiling? The contractor says that's not standard.

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insulation is part of a sound isolation strategy for finished basements and theater spaces, but it does very little by itself.
 
#40 · (Edited)
Folks - framing is completed. I wanted to show the theater room.

1. Picture 1 - this picture shows that the main entry to under the stairs will be from the other side. On the side behind the AT screen which I plan to construct, there will be another door giving me access to behind the speakers when I walk under the stairs.

2. Picture 2 - shows the opening for the 56 inch door. I had to ask them to extend the frame for the door a bit on the right side. If I had gone with a 60 inch double door it left me only 19 inches between the place where I would have the AT screen and the back wall. So I asked them to reduce it to 56 inches so that I have more room to work with and my Studio 590s can easily fit behind.

3. Picture 3 - shows the other end of that wall where I asked them to extend the wall and build it out. This will be sheetrocked so that it will be a wall behind the AT screen.

4. Picture 4 - Shows the ac supply line they added (thanks @BIGmouthinDC)

5. Picture 5 and 6 - shows the framing around soffits. I asked them to leave as much headroom for me. So they framed to the least height possible.



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#42 ·
The electrician is scheduled to be here in the next 5 days. I am thinking of asking for a dedicated 15 amp circuit for my subwoofer and dedicated 20 amp circuit for all other equipment. The equipments to include are receiver, DVD player, projector and perhaps an amp and ups. I am planning to have the equipment rack in a small closet room. Therefore that is where i am going to have him provide this. Is there anything additional I should ask for?

I have spoken to an av wiring guy who charges $500 for wiring with me providing all parts. I already have all parts. Is this something I could attempt as DIY?

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