[Xanadu376]


My wife and I plan to build a house within the next year or two. She is going to have a dance studio in the basement to teach out of, and I get a home theater. Problem is, now she wants more space for her dance stuff and wants me to build the theater upstairs rather than in the basement. It would be a two story house, not a rambler. I really want to make the theater as perfect as possible and am worried that putting it upstairs might make it not quite as good. Any opinions on this? Will it be a huge difference between the two? 

 

[schmidtwi]

Dedicated HT's usually work best in basements, as it's much easier for sound isolation, HVAC and electrical design. There are great HT's that are 2nd floor, but trade-offs are necessary.


Perhaps you can do both a dance studio and HT in the basement? How many sq. ft? Post floor plans and you'll get some great advice here.

 

[Nabukicks]

I think, as Schmidt mentioned, it is typically easier from a standpoint of soundproofing and light control. Basement is ideal, but by no means is an upstairs theater impossible to enjoy and get the way you want.


Maybe you can tell the boss that she can use the theater for observing dance videos with her students for demonstration?? Worth a shot!

 

[BIGmouthinDC]

space is space. Nearly every home theater built on the west coast and SE are built above ground and there have been some beautiful theaters built and documented here.

 

[230-SEAN]

The tactile sensation will be better upstairs, so thats a plus.


-Sean

 

[roccoleach]

If it's over a garage then this isn't so bad because you don't care if sound bleeds through to the garage. You also have the benefit of running wires above and below. If your attic is above the theater then you also don't have to worry about running wires after finishing.

 

[Tedd]

 www.artsonneborn.com is a stellar example of a home theater over a three car garage.