New house construction - dedicated home theater room - initial questions

[vinay]

John,

It seems door with hinges are much better then the floor spring types so you are on a good track. With the thick curtains, one of the advantage is that the light will not leak inside the movie room. I have used 2 sign board's. So have you chosen a name for your private theatre?

It will be idealy better not to have lights near the screen area while i am assuming you are keeping the ind-rect lights away from the screen area.

In order to get best out of lighting effects, halogen will play a better role in the movie room, please be assured on this.

V

 

[manuduggal]

I saw a DIY screen by kaushik , a HFM member .he was very proud of it . His screen is 100" made by himself and is a good work. You could contact him.

Hi Manoj,

No, like I mentioned, my room is pretty small, only 16' long, so I won't be needing 50' feet. In fact, I think my existing HDMI cables should work fine. I plan to move my AV rack next to the doorway. I would probably have to invest in some cabling for the speakers though.

@John_antony thanks a lot for the estimates. It will help me to extrapolate my own budget. I think you mean 120 /running feet for the speaker cables.

Any idea what is a cheap DIY fixed screen? I think I will go with DIY screen. Which fabric provides good gain?

 

[John]

Thanks Manuduggal, I will contact Kaushik about the screen.

@Vinay, I have not thought about the name as yet, still pondering. Also, I don't have much idea regarding lighting.

I will have a false ceiling and lights on the very edge of the false ceiling, so that it illuminates some posters on the walls (fabric posters probably). Secondly, there are 2 pillars in the room, just where the last row of recliners starts, I would like to install lights on the pillars as well. And lights on the riser steps. Please give your valuable inputs.

 

[John]

Folks,

I am updating the thread with more pictures/images. I had asked the dealer in Kolkata for some tips regarding my room. They had told me that whenever I made my room, they would be happy to give me some suggestions.

Please look at the suggestions and give your valuable inputs.

Please note that the layout they have provided is for a 7.1 (or 7.2) system; my current system is going to be 5.1, so please advise accordingly.
Acoustics

Top View

 

[aramosfet]

Have you considered a basement room for the HT setup? I'm intrigued by the idea. What would be the advantages or disadvantages?

 

[vinay]

John,

So how far as the work been completed of your dream theater at home?

On seeing the drawing, i have observed the following.

1. The front speakers can come ahead of the screen so that enough distance can be created from side walls.
   
2. The front 2 seats can be like main sofa so so that one more person can sit. Ideally recliners are the best for comfort and class (see Neo's wonderful recliners).
   
3. The main sofa can move more behind for a better viewing distance.
   
4. The sub woofer can not be placed on side of the sofa because moving around will be a problem especially with guests.
   
5. The AV rack placement should be changed because to operate the normal remotes will be a problem. The rack should be facing the eye and not side ways.

Please do share you views about these pointers.

V.

Folks,

I am updating the thread with more pictures/images. I had asked the dealer in Kolkata for some tips regarding my room. They had told me that whenever I made my room, they would be happy to give me some suggestions.

Please look at the suggestions and give your valuable inputs.

Please note that the layout they have provided is for a 7.1 (or 7.2) system; my current system is going to be 5.1, so please advise accordingly.
Acoustics

Top View

 

[manoj.p]

Folks,

I am updating the thread with more pictures/images. I had asked the dealer in Kolkata for some tips regarding my room. They had told me that whenever I made my room, they would be happy to give me some suggestions.

Please look at the suggestions and give your valuable inputs.

Please note that the layout they have provided is for a 7.1 (or 7.2) system; my current system is going to be 5.1, so please advise accordingly.
Acoustics

Top View

John,

Nice progress so far. Couple of things come to mind.

• Is your screen acoustically transparent? If not, then you will not get any benefit of wall treatment behind it. It would go as waste as the sound will not penetrate through screen and even get to the treatment. You should rather use that treatment somewhere else.
• The best location for subs is at the center point of the wall. Since you have two subs, I would place them at the center of front and back wall. At the front it will be right below the center speaker. The second sub will not be in the way of guests. When two subs are firing this way, it will create a virtual sub at the center of the room, right where you have the listeners.
• See if you can move the equipment rack. I have mine in the back corner as I found the lights from players etc distracting. If you move it, then you can pull the front speakers out. It will help reduce the boominess of the speakers a lot and improve the sound. Anyways, the floorstandars are always supposed to have some breathing space.
• Instead of putting the diffusers on back wall, the best place would be on the side wall, to diffuse the side reflections.

Good luck.

 

[John]

John,

So how far as the work been completed of your dream theater at home?

On seeing the drawing, i have observed the following.

1. The front speakers can come ahead of the screen so that enough distance can be created from side walls.
   
2. The front 2 seats can be like main sofa so so that one more person can sit. Ideally recliners are the best for comfort and class (see Neo's wonderful recliners).
   
3. The main sofa can move more behind for a better viewing distance.
   
4. The sub woofer can not be placed on side of the sofa because moving around will be a problem especially with guests.
   
5. The AV rack placement should be changed because to operate the normal remotes will be a problem. The rack should be facing the eye and not side ways.

Please do share you views about these pointers.

V.

John,

Nice progress so far. Couple of things come to mind.

• Is your screen acoustically transparent? If not, then you will not get any benefit of wall treatment behind it. It would go as waste as the sound will not penetrate through screen and even get to the treatment. You should rather use that treatment somewhere else.
• The best location for subs is at the center point of the wall. Since you have two subs, I would place them at the center of front and back wall. At the front it will be right below the center speaker. The second sub will not be in the way of guests. When two subs are firing this way, it will create a virtual sub at the center of the room, right where you have the listeners.
• See if you can move the equipment rack. I have mine in the back corner as I found the lights from players etc distracting. If you move it, then you can pull the front speakers out. It will help reduce the boominess of the speakers a lot and improve the sound. Anyways, the floorstandars are always supposed to have some breathing space.
• Instead of putting the diffusers on back wall, the best place would be on the side wall, to diffuse the side reflections.

Good luck.

Thanks a lot guys for your inputs. I really appreciate it.

Construction of the whole house has gotten very slow, so I have not touched the HT room.

I am keeping a mind on these pointers and will restart the thread once I actively start working on the room.

@Manoj, I have only one sub.

As of now, I think I have to wait at least 2 months

I am adding a bit more information to clarify things:

1) I am using my existing speakers for now. Polk RTi A5 (front), Polk RTi4s rear surrounds, Polk CSi3 center, subwoofer PSW404.

2) I will probably go with a DIY screen with the help of my carpenter. So I am waiting for inputs on how to proceed.

3) I am a complete n00b when it comes to acoustic treatment, so I need advise on this.

4) I am going to go with moving my existing rear surrounds to the corners at the back. This way both the rows of seats can be pushed back a bit. Front row will probably be a sofa and the second row a row of recliners. If budget permits, then I will go for all recliners. But that takes up one seat, I think, from the front row. @Vinay, which recliners are you referring to please?

5) I will replace my current media player, which is a 1st generation WD Live player. Should I go for HTPC? What is a good configuration?

 

[manoj.p]

@Manoj, I have only one sub.

No problem. From your images, I saw SW1 and SW2. So, thought you have two subs.

4) I am going to go with moving my existing rear surrounds to the corners at the back. This way both the rows of seats can be pushed back a bit. Front row will probably be a sofa and the second row a row of recliners. If budget permits, then I will go for all recliners. But that takes up one seat, I think, from the front row. @Vinay, which recliners are you referring to please?

why do you want to move the rear surrounds to the corners? Instead, move those up. The surrounds are usually mounted high and tilted down at users. Go check in a cinema theater and you will see all surrounds mounted high. Moreover, your placement will get screwed anyway, because rear speakers are supposed to be at rear. if they are in corner, you will not have much separation between rear and sides, making the whole effort futile. It will be more detrimental to move those in corners than moving those up.

Also, think this too - when you have recliners and if the rear are at 3 ft high, then the recliner will block most of the sound coming to your ears anyways. Move those up and tilt down for best results. Keep it simple.

 

[John]

Guys,

I am going to start with my HT interiors in a few days

First step is a false ceiling (drop ceiling). Please give me suggestions on how to go about it?

Options:

1) Plain Jane ceiling but what is the best material to use?
2) Star field ceiling . What are the options and possible costs involved. Fiberoptic?

Thanks in advance.

 

[neo9999]

John,

Plain jane - using PoP is the most common option. Depending on room dimenstions, you can design the false ceiling shape and size to match with room acoustics. You can also fix led lamps within the false ceiling for additional lighting purposes.

Star field - take a look at this url to find out more, if you haven't. It's an eye opener for me as well.

How to create a fiber optic starfield ceiling

Have you thought of using acoustic panels and suspending them from ceiling?

Neo.

 

[trittya]

For acoustic room treatment, I would get in touch with Norman Varney
http://www.facebook.com/norman.varney
who (alongwith a few HFV-ians) is a member of my facebook group ie THE HIFI DIY and CUSTOM BUILDERS' GUILD here
http://www.facebook.com/groups/diy.custom.hifi/.

As regards construction, someday maybe I shall construct like this

place these

to make the whole setup look like this

- LIVING IN THE HORN.

How horny can one get, huh?
Cheerio

 

[cmsajith]

- LIVING IN THE HORN.

How horny can one get, huh?
Cheerio

Where can i find more details about this build?

 

[manoj.p]

Neo,

Since you are constructing, think about either having a stepped ceiling or curved ceiling. Meaning, height gradually reduces as you go near the front. Helps very much with the reflections. You can also add a false ceiling with acoustic tiles.

 

[trittya]

Where can i find more details about this build?

@cmsajith
I found this on retro vintage modern hi-fi.

Sadly, No further details on the build here.
http://itishifi.blogspot.no/2010/05/live-in-horn.html

There are designs for wooden horns on the net galore. As far as the subwoofer walls are concerned, you'll have to choose 4-5 infinite-baffle-compatible subwoofer drivers (for each of the subwoofer channels on each side) and then run some simulation software to get at the measurements of the floor/ceiling (both slanting downwards/upwards respectively) and side walls. Not too tough for the better read, IMO.

I recommend at least 15", preferably 18" P-audio subwoofer drivers from Thailand for the bass. Great quality at the price. Reliable sources indicate that our Ahuja guys outsource a whole lot of stuff from there.

As regards wooden horns, I have a few Japanese pdf plans that I will be most happy to share.

Hope this helps.

 

[John]

John,

Plain jane - using PoP is the most common option. Depending on room dimenstions, you can design the false ceiling shape and size to match with room acoustics. You can also fix led lamps within the false ceiling for additional lighting purposes.

Star field - take a look at this url to find out more, if you haven't. It's an eye opener for me as well.

How to create a fiber optic starfield ceiling

Have you thought of using acoustic panels and suspending them from ceiling?

Neo.

Thanks, I will definitely try the starfield ceiling. Where can I purchase the light source and strands?

Neo,

Since you are constructing, think about either having a stepped ceiling or curved ceiling. Meaning, height gradually reduces as you go near the front. Helps very much with the reflections. You can also add a false ceiling with acoustic tiles.

Sounds good Manoj. I will try to go for a curved/stepped one, reducing the height as we go front!

For the material, I am a little limited in resources, so I am considering gypsum board "filled with glasswool" - this was suggested by someone. How do I proceed trying to fabricate such a false ceiling...with glass wool in between.. Where can I get acoustic tiles?

 

[purna]

For the material, I am a little limited in resources, so I am considering gypsum board "filled with glasswool" - this was suggested by someone. How do I proceed trying to fabricate such a false ceiling...with glass wool in between.. Where can I get acoustic tiles?

I am using the ceiling tiles from saint gobain and you need to place the glasswool on top of the the board.

 

[vinay]

My false ceiling is acoustic tiles of Armstrong brand and the height gradually reduces very slightly as it goes on front. These tiles most likely can be sourced in all metro cites, one needs to go through the search engine like goggle etc.

V.

Neo,

Since you are constructing, think about either having a stepped ceiling or curved ceiling. Meaning, height gradually reduces as you go near the front. Helps very much with the reflections. You can also add a false ceiling with acoustic tiles.

 

[John]

My false ceiling is acoustic tiles of Armstrong brand and the height gradually reduces very slightly as it goes on front. These tiles most likely can be sourced in all metro cites, one needs to go through the search engine like goggle etc.

V.

Vinay, I have finally found the guy who sells this here. However, I found the
Armstrong quite flaky and did not seem strong enough. Price 170 per piece (4 x 4).

Second option, same person has stuff coming in from China. Will be able to take a look in 15 to 21 days.

Another option, Himalayan Acoustics, Aphony stuff. Cost is coming to approx Rs 90/- sq feet. 15 mm for ceiling and 20 mm for walls.

Question regarding wall acoustic treatment.

Is glass wool essential? (how thick?) - cause 50 mm of glass wool + 20 mm of acoustics = 70 mm loss on each wall.

 

[vinay]

John,

You are right that these tiles are not strong, in-fact they are so fragile that even a 2 year child can break it. There is no risk because these tiles will be in ceiling. Among the risk is that when lights have to be changed etc, the electrician has to handle it very softly while for risk management you can buy 5 spare tiles.

I have used 4 inches glass wool from ground to 3 feet and thereafter 2 inches. About the loss of wall space please do not worry, my loss is much larger as i had knocked down my bathroom, sealed huge windows, the point is to achieve a great movie room, these losses are to small.

V.

Armstrong quite flaky and did not seem strong enough.

Question regarding wall acoustic treatment.

Is glass wool essential? (how thick?) - cause 50 mm of glass wool + 20 mm of acoustics = 70 mm loss on each wall.