Quote:
bpape wrote:
 - Early reflection points on the side walls
- Deadening of the front wall to eliminate reflections from the surround mucking up (technical term there) the front image clarity and lock to the screen. |
While I agree with most of your post, I have to take issue with these two points. If you end up selecting speakers with controlled, smooth off-axis dispersion, absorption on the sidewall may not be warranted. Depending on the treatment scheme in the room, and the dispersion of the speakers (best case omnipolar, but these are available), these reflections help enhance the realism of the presentation. As for deadening the front wall, I would use treatments to prevent cross-channel interference behind and between the speakers, and bass traps in the corners. Though, this could be what you mean by the whole front wall, lol
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To the OP, $4000 gets a bit slim when you step up to the dedicated HT level. If you can't afford more, then don't do it. But if you could, you would find some great benefits. Still, with what you have budgeted, I think you can create a great space with some usable equipment that will be upgraded to its full potential later. I think you should be dumping as much money into the room as you can.
-Get a good door, or make a mini airlock like
this guy. Of course, I think his room treatment scheme is way off.
-Where do you want to keep the equipment?
-Cabling, conduit, connectors, wall plates
-How much potential do you need?
-Run a ton of circuits. If you want to be future-proofed for addiction, run 4 20A lines. Yes, really.
-Frame out the block walls, insulate behind them and behind the already framed walls with 8# mineral wool.
-Media storage?
-How much wow factor do you want?