Post your Home Theater

[mtbdudex]

Haha, thanks guys



For treatment, currently the room is stuffed with safe & sound insulation everywhere (all walls, ceiling, risers, stage, speaker platform behind the screen). The ceiling is dropped down about an inch from the joists above (the theatre is in the basement), so that helps the sound from travelling up. The room behind the screen where all the speakers are is fully covered with sound treatment and black fabric. When we made the room, we wanted it to both look good and sound good. I'm sure we could add treatments on the side walls for reflections, but its not like we *really* need them. There's also no space on the wall with the door to put them. The ARC system on the Anthem does a really good job of smoothing out the FR across the sweet spot (second row), so that also helps out sound-wise. If we were just going for pure sound, then I would put treatments in more places, but its perfect for us the way it is (just maybe some new subs ) haha. AVS helped a ton when making it (I'm 'bleeker' on there).

So you have a LEDE room?
I'm trying to understand what small room acoustic model you followed for your home theater.
Looking at this link, easy to see visually the various small room models, it's 7 pages from the book "Acoustics and Psychoacoustics Applied"
http://eetimes.com/design/audio-design/4015907/Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-Applied--Part-1-Listening-room-design?pageNumber=0

That safe & sound insulation in the walls/riser/etc really does not affect your in room acoustics so much, rather the transfer of sound energy in/out of your room thru the walls/ceiling, and keep the stage/riser from resonating.

Knowing that for “best” audio/sound in a listening room, these parameters are tackled in prioritized order:

1. Speaker location, 2. Listener position, 3. Acoustic treatments, 4. Electronic correction.

Frankly, for me the best bang for the buck was the corner superchunk broadband bass traps, those helped flatten out the bass and modal ringing.
Something Audyssey/ARC other EQ just can't do by themself.

The sidewall/ceiling first reflection panels I added totally transformed the perceived soundstage, simply the room is much "bigger" now than before. Clarity, specific localization of sounds all increased.

fwiw, my Denon 4308CI has Audyssey XT, and it does wonders with the room.
I used my room for almost 2 years w/o the in room acoustic treatments, just Audyssey XT.
I got used to that and was satisfied, yet I read up on acoustic treatments and decided to take my HT to the next level.
Then after adding all the acoustic treatments from March 2011-Dec-2011, well worth the time and investment.

Acoustic treatments + Electronic correction is the best.
If your room layout is such that can't do the in room acoustic treatments, and you are satisfied, in the end though that's what matters.

 

[simplymuzik3]

Great home theater.....one question that's hard to tell from the photos....how much headroom is there for the back row? It almost looks like folks would have to duck when on the top stair to get into those seats - maybe it's just the perspective in the photo...

After you walk up the 2 steps, there's around 6ft5" of space. I'm 6ft2" and I find it ok to stand there. I wish our basement ceiling were higher, but there's nothing you can really do about that after you house has been made. It's still perfect for use and nobody's ever hit their head on the ceiling (and they've been people a couple inches taller than me). For the very 3rd row, you don't have to duck at all. The natural way you sit down makes it so that your head never hits the ceiling or back wall. It took *a lot* of measuring and testing to make sure that nobody would hit their head, and its definitely paid off

So you have a LEDE room?
I'm trying to understand what small room acoustic model you followed for your home theater.
Looking at this link, easy to see visually the various small room models, it's 7 pages from the book "Acoustics and Psychoacoustics Applied"
http://eetimes.com/design/audio-design/4015907/Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-Applied--Part-1-Listening-room-design?pageNumber=0

That safe & sound insulation in the walls/riser/etc really does not affect your in room acoustics so much, rather the transfer of sound energy in/out of your room thru the walls/ceiling, and keep the stage/riser from resonating.

Knowing that for “best” audio/sound in a listening room, these parameters are tackled in prioritized order:

1. Speaker location, 2. Listener position, 3. Acoustic treatments, 4. Electronic correction.

Frankly, for me the best bang for the buck was the corner superchunk broadband bass traps, those helped flatten out the bass and modal ringing.
Something Audyssey/ARC other EQ just can't do by themself.

The sidewall/ceiling first reflection panels I added totally transformed the perceived soundstage, simply the room is much "bigger" now than before. Clarity, specific localization of sounds all increased.

fwiw, my Denon 4308CI has Audyssey XT, and it does wonders with the room.
I used my room for almost 2 years w/o the in room acoustic treatments, just Audyssey XT.
I got used to that and was satisfied, yet I read up on acoustic treatments and decided to take my HT to the next level.
Then after adding all the acoustic treatments from March 2011-Dec-2011, well worth the time and investment.

Acoustic treatments + Electronic correction is the best.
If your room layout is such that can't do the in room acoustic treatments, and you are satisfied, in the end though that's what matters.

That's true. I'd never know what it sounds like with treatments unless I get some. For handling the subs, I've also got an Anti Mode 8033 that works *amazing*. I can't say enough good things about it. It helps out a ton when trying to smooth out the room. I've been thinking about putting bass traps in the back 2 corners, maybe now I'll actually try it out after reading your post

Like you also mentioned with the treatments in your room, I've probably gotten used to my room now. Although it wouldn't hurt to still try out treatments.

Thanks for the helpful link and advice!

 

[fhall1]

After you walk up the 2 steps, there's around 6ft5" of space. I'm 6ft2" and I find it ok to stand there. I wish our basement ceiling were higher, but there's nothing you can really do about that after you house has been made. It's still perfect for use and nobody's ever hit their head on the ceiling (and they've been people a couple inches taller than me). For the very 3rd row, you don't have to duck at all. The natural way you sit down makes it so that your head never hits the ceiling or back wall. It took *a lot* of measuring and testing to make sure that nobody would hit their head, and its definitely paid off

I'd kill for that much basement headroom....my house was built in the 50's and cement floor to bottom of first floor joists is about 6 feet 8 inches...no steps in my home theater unless everyone I invite over is a munchkin!

 

[bigred7078]

I'd kill for that much basement headroom....my house was built in the 50's and cement floor to bottom of first floor joists is about 6 feet 8 inches...no steps in my home theater unless everyone I invite over is a munchkin!

I'd just kill to have an actual basement lol...

 

[mtbdudex]

I'd kill for that much basement headroom....my house was built in the 50's and cement floor to bottom of first floor joists is about 6 feet 8 inches...no steps in my home theater unless everyone I invite over is a munchkin!

I believe one guy at AVS had same, and he dug his basement deeper in the spot for his HT....extreme construction time.
Easy to make tiered seating, 6'8" is your top tier, dig 12" down for the front row area.....
Not for everyone for sure.

 

[mtbdudex]

That's true. I'd never know what it sounds like with treatments unless I get some. For handling the subs, I've also got an Anti Mode 8033 that works *amazing*. I can't say enough good things about it. It helps out a ton when trying to smooth out the room. I've been thinking about putting bass traps in the back 2 corners, maybe now I'll actually try it out after reading your post

Like you also mentioned with the treatments in your room, I've probably gotten used to my room now. Although it wouldn't hurt to still try out treatments.

Thanks for the helpful link and advice!

Had a HT meet with a subwoofer "shootout" at my home May-2011, a guy bought his Anti Mode 8033 but we were so busy did not use it.

I highly recommend you put corner floor-ceiling superchunk style broadband bass traps.
As you know, the Anti Mode 8033 does wonders for flat via EQ, but can't tackle modal ringing, only broadband bass traps can.
Ideally your decay time will be below 0.4 sec, 0.3 or lower is tough but possible.

 

[batmangorden]

Best tv on the market today. Just got it two months ago. The 240Hz refresh is spectacular. I have yet to watch a movie like The Dark Knight on Bluray to see what this puppy can do.

Its about less than half the width of the remote control! So yeah its pretty thin.

Kung Fu panda though looked stupid sick.

 

[eternlgladiator]

Best tv on the market today. Just got it two months ago. The 240Hz refresh is spectacular. I have yet to watch a movie like The Dark Knight on Bluray to see what this puppy can do.

Its about less than half the width of the remote control! So yeah its pretty thin.

Kung Fu panda though looked stupid sick.

wth are you waiting for? 240Hz and your best test in two months was an animated movie? Play a blur ray on that thing.

 

[ericrwalker]

wth are you waiting for? 240Hz and your best test in two months was an animated movie? Play a blur ray on that thing.

Slow down, don't insult Kung Fu Panda. Though Avatar on Blu-ray would be sick.

 

[eternlgladiator]

Slow down, don't insult Kung Fu Panda. Though Avatar on Blu-ray would be sick.

I was by no means insulting King Fu Panda. I was insulting it's ability to put a 240Hz HD television through its paces. That'd by like buying a ferrari for going to the grocery store (which I'm sure some idiot has done.)

 

[ericrwalker]

I was by no means insulting King Fu Panda. I was insulting it's ability to put a 240Hz HD television through its paces. That'd by like buying a ferrari for going to the grocery store (which I'm sure some idiot has done.)

Come on now, people need groceries no matter what car they are driving.

Just messing with you, you are correct. I just wanted to proclaim my love for animated movies.

 

[eternlgladiator]

Come on now, people need groceries no matter what car they are driving.

Just messing with you, you are correct. I just wanted to proclaim my love for animated movies.

if you live on a race track and so is your grocery store then the ferrari would be a great choice haha

 

[bdodds1985]

an entire page with only 2 picture posts... come on guys. PM people for questions.

 

[eternlgladiator]

oops sorry!

 

[MattG]

Been a while since I posted in here...changes changes changes

Same Samsung 46" LCD as last time, and same Polk sound bar.

Since my last post, I've upgraded to a TiVo Premier. The set of Audioengine speakers mounted on the wall are dedicated solely to music (the turntable and the Airport Express [not pictured]). In the top-right corner, above the Wii, there's a Roku 2 and a current-generation Apple TV. Also painted the wall a sagey green color

I recently did some modifications to my wiring. Everything now goes through the subwoofer, including the turntable and Airport Express. In that little brown chest to the left, all of my excess cable and an additional surge strip are housed in there. It really helped me clean things up.

Coming soon (hopefully)...upgraded turntable.

 

[mtbdudex]

Slow down, don't insult Kung Fu Panda. Though Avatar on Blu-ray would be sick.

KFP is reference for surround sound test and LFE. Turn your volume up to reference level and see how the ska-doosh scene cuts it in any set up people brag about.

 

[justinnum1]

looking at a beautiful kuro

 

[mtbdudex]

I've upgraded to 11.3 in my HT!
This was done Nov-2012 thru Jan-2013, most of the work over xmas break.
8+ page thread here, http://www.avsforum.com/t/1435778/moving-past-7-1-5-1-into-9-1-11-2-upgrade-your-ht-room-via-audysseydsx-dolbypl-iiz-dts-neo-x ,cliff notes below.

Different approaches to accomplish it, some visuals:
Audyssey visual:

This visual from my Denon 4520CI manual, makes it easier to grasp all the 7.1/9.1/11.1 speaker layout.

Here is the DTS Neo:X™ visual:

My end result:
Tucking the heights all the way up into the corner gives me 35 degree spread and around 32 degrees up.

The wides ended up at 50 degree spread, due to my desirte to keep symmetry of them.
The LH 8" HVAC pipe kept me from going more rearward on the LH side within the 24" span between concrete form studs, now if I went totally rear of that 8" pipe and the concrete stud then on the RH side I get into all my 4 circuits wiring for lights
In the 2-3 year upgrade plan, if I do upgrade to a Grafiyik eye for light control then I'd need to re-do the box/wiring there, then I'd move these rearward and be around 62-63 degrees spread.

For now, I'm just within the +- 10 degree tolerance Chris K gave.
Layout:

Some pictures of final install:

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This picture shows the dead flat varnish I coated the re-paint area....looks like I need to put a little more forward, they eyes can't see this or I would have of course done it.
I added that way back in 2008 to help the flat paint burnish issue.

.

I lined the sides/back/top of the box with 2" OC703 for resonance control, and to help my bookshelf breath, since it is rear ported.

 

[RubenTheys]

Not a real theatre, just the TV room with great video and decent audio. A dedicated HT would be overkill for my family .

Samsung UE46ES8000, speakers from Yamaha, unknown series, and are mounted in the corners

 

[MattG]

I've updated mine quite a bit recently.

My component rack, stored in a room that's out of the way from where the TV/speakers are. Contains Yamaha receiver, Blu-Ray player, Airport Extreme, Mac Mini, misc switching/routing/Internet equipment, a PC for Blu-ray ripping and other purposes, storage, backup, battery backups. amp switcher.

My TT setup. Stanton ST-150, Marantz 2230 receiver.

The rest of it...Samsung 46" LCD TV, Polk L/R and center speakers, subwoofer.

 

[phrehdd]

Thanks folks for sharing your home theater set ups. - Perhaps something I can aspire to in future days.

I have a moderate system that works well for my flat.

65" Panasonic VT50 plasma
3 Goldenear AON3 for front and center speakers, Klipsch 12" sub (old)
Marantz NR1602 AVR
Mac Mini
Tivo 3
Oppo 103 Blu Ray player
Modified turntable for 33/45/78 discs
2 QNAP NAS for stored media (music and movie/tv)

My next round is full 5.1 that will most likely be moving the AON3's to the back and getting GE's Triton 7 front left/right and very soon to be released "center x" speaker.

One of the challenges of living in a rental is not being able to have full control over the acoustics. So far, so good. My friends seem to really enjoy inviting themselves over to watch movies with good out put from the plasma and great sound from the AON 3's.

 

[MattG]

One of the challenges of living in a rental is not being able to have full control over the acoustics. So far, so good. My friends seem to really enjoy inviting themselves over to watch movies with good out put from the plasma and great sound from the AON 3's.

Yeah, I can relate. Mine's not a rental but, it's also not a house, so...I have people living above me, which definitely limits my ability for routing wires and making any major changes. Someday...

 

[Macman45]

Lounge Setup

Onkyo 5.1 AV

Sony Bravia 46" 3D TV.

Sony 3D BRD

Speakers are Onkyo except for the Sub, which is a 200W SOny.

Bedroom Setup

Yamaha 7.1 AV

LG 3D BRD

2X Denon

2X Onkyo Surrounds

1X Yamaha dedicated powered sub.

46" 3D Toshiba TV

 

[mtbdudex]

My 11.3 set-up from a few posts above
front view ..............

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Rear view:

 

[sk1wbw]

You suck. And by the way, I'm on the way over! That's a shibby setup, man. My DREAM is to have one of those.