[b_scott]

Update 1/3/21 - Final photo walkthrough (completed circa August 2020) - Shadow Theater Build

Update 4/22/22 - Added these components:

Second Sub on Right side: SVS PB-1000 Subwoofer (Black Ash) - 10-inch Driver, 300-Watts RMS, Ported Cabinet
Fluance RT82 Turntable w/Schiit Mani amp

Original Post:

Hello All! I've been dreaming of a theatre in my house forever, but once we bought this one it didn't seem possible. Well, I decided to make it possible. I completely tore out everything and started from the bare concrete walls. I have an Epson projector and it'll be thrown onto a 135" (ish) screen that I'm going to build. There will be seating for 4 and some bean bags, and a small bar area. I rerouted my entire water pipe and gas pipe systems and also some of the HVAC. Replaced all my galvanized steel pipes with Pex. I'll be leveling the floor a little but I'm currently framing the room.

Adding my future system below:

Video: Epson 5040UBe projector
Receiver: Onkyo TX-NR797 9.2-Ch. (I will be running 5.1.4)
Sub: SVS PB-1000 Subwoofer (Black Ash) - 10-inch Driver, 300-Watts RMS, Ported Cabinet
UHD Player: Panasonic DP-UB820 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision Playback
Shield TV Tube
HTPC (old one, will use when needed, maybe for MadVR if I upgrade it)

Speakers -
Front L/R x 2: Polk Audio 265-RT
Front Center x 1: Polk Audio 265-RT
Side L/R x 2: Polk Audio 65-RT
Atmos x 4 Ceiling: Polk Audio RC80i

 

[b_scott]

 

[b_scott]

 

[Theedj]

Congrats on getting it going. No easy task with all the plumbing and HVAC adjustments.

What are the room dimensions you’ll end up with?

 

[mhutchins]

Awesome job getting rid of all those leaking pipes!! You did the right thing getting rid of all that. I'm still a little worried about the cubby to the left of your panel where the window is and your sewer clean out. Both the window and the sewer down pipe look like they have been leaking. I saw the new brass plug, but the pipe joint above looks suspect, as does the window.

I would encourage you to run a dehumidifier down there. Judging by the warped peg board and flaking plaster on the walls, I'm guessing the humidity is pretty high down there at times.

Good job turning your dreams into reality! You've overcome the hardest part; getting started.

Mike

 

[b_scott]

Awesome job getting rid of all those leaking pipes!! You did the right thing getting rid of all that. I'm still a little worried about the cubby to the left of your panel where the window is and your sewer clean out. Both the window and the sewer down pipe look like they have been leaking. I saw the new brass plug, but the pipe joint above looks suspect, as does the window.

I would encourage you to run a dehumidifier down there. Judging by the warped peg board and flaking plaster on the walls, I'm guessing the humidity is pretty high down there at times.

Good job turning your dreams into reality! You've overcome the hardest part; getting started.

Mike

Thanks! I didn’t take pics of everything but I cut down the sewer clean out and moved the slop sink area over there. There used to be a bath there and there may have been leaking in the past but there isn’t now. None from the window. The gray pipe out the wall is an old gas pipe that has been poly filled. There are two sewer drains so I’m just covered one of them.

Humidity is ok - I do have a dehumidifier due to a rainwater backup that we had to have our sewer main replaced. All good now.

 

[b_scott]

Congrats on getting it going. No easy task with all the plumbing and HVAC adjustments.

What are the room dimensions you’ll end up with?

Thanks! It’ll be 13’ by 25’ in rectangle area but that doesn’t account for the HVAC jog. I’m also going to build an under stairs sitting area for my kids.

 

[Claybe]

Wow! Good work. Way to get going on it!

 

[b_scott]

Wow! Good work. Way to get going on it!

Thanks! I started this thought process on 3/20. I just put the foam up Thursday.

 

[b_scott]

Done framing. Square is for my projector.

 

[Ladeback]

I see you have a build thread now. Nice start. I see you decided to not go all in with the soundproofing. I am leaning that way as well. It would save a lot of money I could put into other things.

 

[b_scott]

I see you have a build thread now. Nice start. I see you decided to not go all in with the soundproofing. I am leaning that way as well. It would save a lot of money I could put into other things.

I haven’t done anything with soundproofing yet. Still deciding. I think I will end up with rock wool and clips and hat channel with one layer of 5/8”. I can’t see myself doing more than that.

 

[pkinneb]

FWIW I think one things folks can miss, I know I did, is that the a lot of the techniques used to keep sound from escaping the room can actually make the sound in the room better. I suspect 10 to 15% of my budget went to sound proofing and I also suspect that amount, used else where, would not have delivered as much. Of course this is all personal opinion and who knows maybe I am just justifying the spend but bottom line is the room sounds amazing and also keeps all but major base scenes inside the room. Just food for thought.

 

[bochoss]

Are you going with an AT screen?

 

[kuroiknight]

This is what I love to see! This is what I find exciting. I love that you decided to do this and have documented with photos! I may have missed it but what are the dimensions and what type of audio equipment are you going with?

 

[b_scott]

Are you going with an AT screen?

I am! Spandex over wood.

FWIW I think one things folks can miss, I know I did, is that the a lot of the techniques used to keep sound from escaping the room can actually make the sound in the room better. I suspect 10 to 15% of my budget went to sound proofing and I also suspect that amount, used else where, would not have delivered as much. Of course this is all personal opinion and who knows maybe I am just justifying the spend but bottom line is the room sounds amazing and also keeps all but major base scenes inside the room. Just food for thought.

Hoping that is the case Doing pergo-type wood floors with a large rug over the middle area.

This is what I love to see! This is what I find exciting. I love that you decided to do this and have documented with photos! I may have missed it but what are the dimensions and what type of audio equipment are you going with?

So the main square area with the screen is about 13x13, and the room is 25' long total. I made a wall on the other side of the seating area to balance it and have a spot for the right speaker (when seated). The screen will be 138", which is 120" wide and 68" tall. Equipment:

Video: Epson 5040UBe projector
Receiver: Onkyo TX-NR797 9.2-Ch. (I will be running 5.1.4)
Sub: SVS PB-1000 Subwoofer (Black Ash) - 10-inch Driver, 300-Watts RMS, Ported Cabinet
UHD Player: Panasonic DP-UB820 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision Playback
Fire Stick 4K
Shield TV (2019)
HTPC (old one, will use when needed, maybe for MadVR if I upgrade it)

Speakers (in wall) -
Front L/R x 2: Polk Audio 265-RT
Front Center x 1: Polk Audio 265-RT
Side L/R x 2: Polk Audio 65-RT
Atmos x 4 Ceiling: Polk Audio RC80i

eventually I'll probably have an Xbox Series X and PS5 downstairs too but not right away. Until then I'll probably cart my Xbox One X and PS4 down there when needed.

 

[b_scott]

Wiring going in

 

[PaulF757]

Allot of work put in to clean all the plumbing work. Well done.

 

[b_scott]

Allot of work put in to clean all the plumbing work. Well done.

Thanks. I'll take a shot of the current pex setup soon. It's pretty neat. I didn't do a manifold but it's two trunks and branches. I'm so glad to be rid of that plumbing mess.

 

[b_scott]

Bought some IB-1 clips without rubber and got some hat channel. I’ll probably be doing just that, but maybe adding some cheap insulation as well. I won’t be doing double drywall but I have canless lights so I really could add it at any time if I’m not happy with my setup.

Power and lights are all wired up and half my audio cables as well because I ran out of cable. Have more coming tomorrow.