Our native mobile app has a new name: Fora Communities. Learn more.

Mini dedicate theater, is it even possible?

2224 Views 21 Replies 14 Participants Last post by Bujee1, Jul 26, 2009

RoosterStrike

Discussion Starter · Jul 22, 2009

Hello folks,

I have a small spare square room that is only 13' X 13'.

My question is: Is it possible to create a dedicated theater room with that small size and a square dimension?

Would a good $5,000 1080p projector and a good screen produce great image quality?

I plan just to have one row of seat (maybe just a pull out sofa) placed almost against the back wall and just have 5.1 speaker set up.

Is this doable?

Is there such a mini (micro) dedicated theater in existence? Are there any images or URL links? Again, I am looking for one that is 13' X 13' or smaller.

Or should I just forget my dream of a dedicated theater room and just go out and get the latest and largest 240 mhz LCD/LED TV?

1 - 20 of 22 Posts

CDLehner

· #2 · Jul 22, 2009

Well...it depends on the room Rooster. Got any windows to contend with, or anything that takes away from useable space? If not, you could mount a PJ like the Panny AE3000 (~$2500, not $5k) at the back of the room; 13' back you could still get a 132" (d) image, which is plenty big...especially considering you'll only be seated ~11' back. In fact, you'd probably want to go a little bit smaller.

Put one row of seats or your sofa at around 11', so you're out from under the PJ and allow yourself some surround space, and you could be set. Of course, all of that depends on being able to use the whole 13 x 13. You can make adjustments to deal with the acoustic issues. You also have to worry about heat building up in so small a room. 3-4 people watching a movie, PJ, electronic gear; what's your cooling solution? Also, any chance you could house the equipment in like an adjacent closet or something? It would free up some space, and help keep the room a little cooler (plus it looks nice and clean).

CD

See less See more

GoCaboNow

· #3 · Jul 22, 2009

This could be a killer room! If you get a pj with a good zoom (2:1) you could still throw a 115" diag (plus or minus) pic with the pj all the way to the back wall and 11.5' throw. Projector central has a calculator or check out www.projectorreviews.com as Art lists how long a throw you would need for 100" screen for all the pj's he reviews.

RTROSE

· #4 · Jul 23, 2009

Hello and welcome to the forum!

To answer your question YES it is doable. There are several things to consider, but 13 x 13 is very doable for a dedicated theater. You might also be surprise at the budget you can maintain by having a smaller room as well. As suggested you may find your projector budget slashed in half leaving you a lot of money for other goodies.

You asked for a link to other small theaters well here is your CLICKIE .

As another poster stated is is better to have a "blank canvas" in which to work or at least have the entire 13 x 13 space to work with. You can do it. The only limitation is you imagination (oh and of course your pocket book) Good luck and welcome to this madness we call home theater.

Regards,

RTROSE

See less See more

RoosterStrike

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 23, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by CDLehner /forum/post/16871379

Well...it depends on the room Rooster. Got any windows to contend with, or anything that takes away from useable space? If not, you could mount a PJ like the Panny AE3000 (~$2500, not $5k) at the back of the room; 13' back you could still get a 132" (d) image, which is plenty big...especially considering you'll only be seated ~11' back. In fact, you'd probably want to go a little bit smaller.

Put one row of seats or your sofa at around 11', so you're out from under the PJ and allow yourself some surround space, and you could be set. Of course, all of that depends on being able to use the whole 13 x 13. You can make adjustments to deal with the acoustic issues. You also have to worry about heat building up in so small a room. 3-4 people watching a movie, PJ, electronic gear; what's your cooling solution? Also, any chance you could house the equipment in like an adjacent closet or something? It would free up some space, and help keep the room a little cooler (plus it looks nice and clean).

CD

Thanks for the input.

A few more info for you.

The room does have a closet with sliding doors. However, the sliding door is a mirrored door so I don't know how I can solve this problem. I can either replace the mirror sliding door or cover it up with something. Not sure how the latter would work.

If I go out and and totally alter the room into a dedicated theater room, I don't know how the value of the home would be if I decide to sell it. The house has 5 bedrooms with one complete room with full bath downstairs. This small room is upstairs. It would turn into a 4 bedrooms and 1 small dedicated theater room. I am not sure if a lot of buyers would think it a cool house to buy. Hmmmm???

Another issue that I have is the sound. This room is adjacent to one other room and about 10 feet across from the master bedroom. If I watch movies at night, it probably creates a lot of unwanted noise. Would noise proofing the room make the room smaller? Do I just apply noise proofing materials on top of the walls, floors, and ceilings?

This room would probably be used for 3 people at most if my two small children decides to join me. Strange, but my wife is not much into movies anymore after we are married.....hmmmm.

The room is airconditioned and has a window on two adjacent walls (therefore 2 windows in total). That means more alterations to the room. Heat build up may be an issue but if I put it in the closet, would that build up heat also and ruin the equipments?

See less See more

CDLehner

· #6 · Jul 23, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by RoosterStrike /forum/post/16872033

Thanks for the input.

A few more info for you.

The room does have a closet with sliding doors. However, the sliding door is a mirrored door so I don't know how I can solve this problem. I can either replace the mirror sliding door or cover it up with something. Not sure how the latter would work.

If I go out and and totally alter the room into a dedicated theater room, I don't know how the value of the home would be if I decide to sell it. The house has 5 bedrooms with one complete room with full bath downstairs. This small room is upstairs. It would turn into a 4 bedrooms and 1 small dedicated theater room. I am not sure if a lot of buyers would think it a cool house to buy. Hmmmm???

Another issue that I have is the sound. This room is adjacent to one other room and about 10 feet across from the master bedroom. If I watch movies at night, it probably creates a lot of unwanted noise. Would noise proofing the room make the room smaller? Do I just apply noise proofing materials on top of the walls, floors, and ceilings?

This room would probably be used for 3 people at most if my two small children decides to join me. Strange, but my wife is not much into movies anymore after we are married.....hmmmm.

The room is airconditioned and has a window on two adjacent walls (therefore 2 windows in total). That means more alterations to the room. Heat build up may be an issue but if I put it in the closet, would that build up heat also and ruin the equipments?

Sorry Rooster, but it's starting to sound like a bit of a tough fit. Those 2 windows will need to be dealt with, and that closet door has GOT to go. You could take the closet door off, and put equipment in there...with a cooling solution, like a fan. But then the windows, and the sound-proofing. How about a pic before we decide for sure?

CD

scottyb

· #7 · Jul 23, 2009

I say go for it.

If sound is an issue at night buy a pair of Dolby headphones and get a bass shaker for your couch.

It doesn't have to be super loud to enjoy.

It could be a nice room. You don't need to make it a dedicated room, just pic your compromises. The windows will HAVE to be dealt with as ambiant light is the killer of a decent theater(too much of it)..

scott

Suntan

· #8 · Jul 23, 2009

Yeah, it would be doable. my HT is going to be about 13.5'x21.5'. But the first row is right at 11'. So yours would be about the same but with just one row.

And if resale value is a worry, and a priority, you could do it without modifying the room in any permanent way. The PJ can be mounted as simply as setting it on top of a bookshelf. Projector screens can be bought that are free standing. Cables can be massaged under the baseboards, windows can be light controlled rather easily as well.

Although I would either remove or at least replace the sliding glass door.

Sound proofing can be added, but it would be rather "involved." Another option is to get yourself a good pair of headphones and a good headphone amp for the times you have to put up with sleepers in the adjoining rooms.

All HTs are compromises of opposing requirements. But there is always enough leeway to make a space that makes you happy.

-Suntan

See less See more

Audixium

· #9 · Jul 23, 2009

My wife bought me a great pair of Sennheiser wireless headphones years ago. It works great for nighttime viewing. So I say go for it and add some killer headphones for those times when you might disturb others.

However, I know I'm missing out with most movies and will end up going back to watch them again when I don't have to worry about being loud, or once I complete my dedicated theater. You just don't get the full effect with the cans.

On the bright side, they give you the ability to watch movies whenever you want without worrying about waking the whole house

. It makes midnight marathons hassle free.

See less See more

jamis

· #10 · Jul 23, 2009

To add some effect if the headphones aren't cutting it.... add a few bass shakers or buttkickers to the seating for some added 'umph'. They work well with speakers too.

See less See more

scottyb

· #11 · Jul 23, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by scottyb /forum/post/16872409

I say go for it.

If sound is an issue at night buy a pair of Dolby headphones and get a bass shaker for your couch.

scott

I take it you guys didn't read my post.

See less See more

2

Suntan

· #12 · Jul 23, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by scottyb /forum/post/16873965

I take it you guys didn't read my post.

I take it you have an issue with people affirming your suggestions with likewise suggestions

-Suntan

See less See more

scottyb

· #13 · Jul 23, 2009

Mr. Tan,

Did you miss the smileys??

Suntan

· #14 · Jul 23, 2009

I thought the general rule was three smileys to negate snarky comments that they accompanied. I only saw two in your post.

-Suntan

See less See more

3

Craig Peer

· #15 · Jul 23, 2009

Quote:
I have a small spare square room that is only 13' X 13'.

My question is: Is it possible to create a dedicated theater room with that small size and a square dimension?

Would a good $5,000 1080p projector and a good screen produce great image quality?

I plan just to have one row of seat (maybe just a pull out sofa) placed almost against the back wall and just have 5.1 speaker set up.

Is this doable?

Absolutely do-able. Use something like a La-Z-Boy sofa for seating. Get rid of the mirrored closet doors. Don't worry about the value of the house when you sell it - it will cost far less to turn the room back into just a room than it will to build the theater to begin with. Perhaps you can mount the projector and equipment in that closet and vent it out into an attic above like we did ( I built the projector closet, but same idea ) - http://gallery.avsforum.com/showgall...ppuser/7419278

I had to live in a studio apartment for a while and managed to have a 92" wide High Power screen ( tripod mounted ) with an H79 on a shelf above our bed - anything is possible !!!

charcoal grey

· #16 · Jul 23, 2009

I say do it. Unfortuneately I don't have a construction post yet, but I am 90% of the way done with mine, just need to finish sound treatments and base trim. My room dimensions are 15' long, by 12.5' wide at its widest point. Now, I did a transparent screen so the final lenth from wall to screen is only 12.5'. I did 1 row of seating and positioned them about 2.5-3' from the back wall. I think my seating distance wound up being around 9' or so. My screen size is approximately 105". I could only afford to do the Sanyo PLV-Z60 (780) for now, later will upgrade to 1080. Spent most of my budget on nicer speakers and sound treatment supplies. The equipment was located outside of the room in a closet. I did not want any extra heat or noise in such a small room. Even in the unfinished state, I love the room. Here are some links to pictures of my room.

Front looking back, screen wall turned off. (rendering)
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...screenwall.jpg

Back looking forward, screen wall turned on. (rendering)
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ScreenWall.jpg

Standing in doorway, looking into the room. Rear towers will eventually be raised about 18 inches. Have yet to build the stands.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...er/HT-3009.jpg

Screen looking thru door. Kind of a side view.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...er/HT-1017.jpg

Best image I could get of the screen looking directly at it. Camera was against the back wall. Could not zoom out any further. And again, lighting sucks so it just looks black around the screen.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...er/HT-3011.jpg

Screen wall, unfinished.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ter/HT0031.jpg

IB for good sound and to save space....
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ater/HT008.jpg

See less See more

Jonathan Furst

· #17 · Jul 23, 2009

My (nearly complete) converted bedroom is only 12'10" x 11'6" and I feel like it accommodated a theater nicely. I only have seating for two but a 3-wide sofa wouldn't be a problem, and you have more space. I also have a mirrored closet door that I covered with a velvet curtain. Here's a few pictures (taken with a very wide lens, so be aware of the perspective distorsion). For reference, the screen is 80" wide (86"-92" diagonal depending on aspect).

More pics in my build thread

See less See more

2

CDLehner

· #18 · Jul 23, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jonathan Furst /forum/post/16877670

NICE!

I much prefer something like this to headphones!

CD

See less See more

Tedd

· #19 · Jul 24, 2009

I've always though this one was VERY unique.

Wrap around Roxy. 13x13'.

Lots of seating as a media room and two seats for serious movie watching.

See less See more

Tedd

· #20 · Jul 24, 2009

Plenty of inspiration here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=996973

1 - 20 of 22 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.