We recently purchased a house with a large area in the basement that serves as both a home theater and a family room. The house was built in 1973 and the space is quite dated, featuring wood paneled walls and a drop ceiling with fluorescent fixtures. I've seen good ideas presented on this site and thought I would throw a few ideas out there in case anyone has suggestions before we get started. Here are photos of how it looks now:
I am quite happy with the electronics (65" Mitsubishi DLP, classic Teledyne AR-9 front speakers, Definitive Technology side and rear surround speakers, B&K Reference 30 Pre-Pro, Adcom GFA-585 front and GFA-2535 surround amps) so the budget will primarily be for room treatment (acoustics, lighting, furniture, etc.). I'm envisioning a more attractive acoustic tile throughout the room with the area above the theater slightly raised with recessed lights on a dimmer (could also frame the area with track lighting, LED rope lighting, etc.). The wall behind the screen should be dark (a heavy pleated curtain would be effective acoustically as well) and the equipment should be in a proper rack. It would be neat to have motorized light-blocking curtains across the wall of windows (there is room on either side to accommodate them without obscuring any of the glass when open).
Dipole side surrounds (firing front/rear) and traditional rear surrounds will have to be installed in the ceiling (the rears could go in the back wall, but that is not an option for the sides), perhaps angled where the ceiling height changes as mentioned above.
I used Room EQ Wizard to produce the following measurements (some of which I am still trying to decypher):
Bass traps and diffusers may do the trick, but since the wood paneled walls are also in need of attention, perhaps there are options other than surface treatments worth considering. If too expensive, perhaps the walls can simply be painted and corners treated with OC703 (or similar) panels covered with attractive fabric. The sectional in the photos has been removed (it was not present during measurements above) and will likely be replaced with an upholstered sofa and loveseat for the area in front of the fireplace and a matching third recliner for the theater (they swivel and can be turned that direction when in "family room mode"), though I'm admittedly troubled by reflections from the leather headrests.
Since it's free, I submitted a drawing to Auralex and received the following Personalized Room Analysis:
I hope that's enough food for thought. Input would be most appreciated!
I am quite happy with the electronics (65" Mitsubishi DLP, classic Teledyne AR-9 front speakers, Definitive Technology side and rear surround speakers, B&K Reference 30 Pre-Pro, Adcom GFA-585 front and GFA-2535 surround amps) so the budget will primarily be for room treatment (acoustics, lighting, furniture, etc.). I'm envisioning a more attractive acoustic tile throughout the room with the area above the theater slightly raised with recessed lights on a dimmer (could also frame the area with track lighting, LED rope lighting, etc.). The wall behind the screen should be dark (a heavy pleated curtain would be effective acoustically as well) and the equipment should be in a proper rack. It would be neat to have motorized light-blocking curtains across the wall of windows (there is room on either side to accommodate them without obscuring any of the glass when open).
Dipole side surrounds (firing front/rear) and traditional rear surrounds will have to be installed in the ceiling (the rears could go in the back wall, but that is not an option for the sides), perhaps angled where the ceiling height changes as mentioned above.
I used Room EQ Wizard to produce the following measurements (some of which I am still trying to decypher):
Bass traps and diffusers may do the trick, but since the wood paneled walls are also in need of attention, perhaps there are options other than surface treatments worth considering. If too expensive, perhaps the walls can simply be painted and corners treated with OC703 (or similar) panels covered with attractive fabric. The sectional in the photos has been removed (it was not present during measurements above) and will likely be replaced with an upholstered sofa and loveseat for the area in front of the fireplace and a matching third recliner for the theater (they swivel and can be turned that direction when in "family room mode"), though I'm admittedly troubled by reflections from the leather headrests.
Since it's free, I submitted a drawing to Auralex and received the following Personalized Room Analysis:
I hope that's enough food for thought. Input would be most appreciated!