First Timer looking for suggestions

**CompguyRG** · **05-18-08, 11:09 PM**

Hello all!
I recently purchased my first home in Richmond, VA and it will be just me and my wife in a large home. SO... I decided what better use of a converted garage (20'x12'x10') than to turn it into a home theater!

I've been reading on here quite a bit, and I think I can handle most, if not all, of the work myself. There is one open doorway leading into the room, and one outdoor sealed door leading to the side walkway. Acoustically I plan to close the open door entrance, but some suggestions there would be helpful. There are also 2 windows on the far end of the room. I was wondering what creative solutions some of you may have to keep them open sometimes, then seal out light during a "showing."

I think wiring should be fairly simple (as simple as it can be), the area above the garage is finished with a large crawlspace door that opens from that room.

I am fairly skilled with electronics, but acoustics is not my forte. I was wondering what type of setup you all would employ. Feel free to be super creative, I'm open to anything!

Thanks in advance for the help, and a big thanks for having all this info available, it has helped immensely so far!!

-Richard

PS - After reading through some of the other subscribers detailed postings, I will nab some pictures and specific room layout dimensions and have them posted shortly. Thanks!

**bpape** · **05-19-08, 05:55 AM**

Welcome to the forum. Looking forward to the pics and sketches so we can better see what's happening.

Bryan

**mdrake** · **05-19-08, 09:52 AM**

Sounds like a FUN project can't wait to see the pictures and drawing.

Matt

**salvasol** · **05-19-08, 11:15 AM**

Welcome to the forum

Quote:

CompguyRG wrote:

... Acoustically I plan to close the open door entrance, but some suggestions there would be helpful. There are also 2 windows on the far end of the room. I was wondering what creative solutions some of you may have to keep them open sometimes, then seal out light during a "showing." ...

Door need to be solid core for better isolation and to cover the windows during movies and open when you need light look at this thread ... http://www.hometheatershack.com/foru...ut-window.html ...

You can see a picture of what I did in my room on post #4

... I build a sliding door/panel, so if I need my room to be dark I close it and open it if I need light

**CompguyRG** · **05-21-08, 01:14 AM**

Wow, you guys are awesome. Thanks for the early suggestions. Looks like I'm gonna be a bit delayed on the pictures. Sadly, my schedule is filling up fast (wedding on the 31st, interviewing w/companies etc) so I'm not going to be able to make it to the house until we move in on June 18th. Until then I'll start throwing up potential sound system combos and projectors for the approval of this prestigious group

I'm gonna borrow some help from Tom's DIY thread as well.http://www.hometheatershack.com/foru...on-thread.html(phenomenal detail and explanation btw, really appreciated and will help me immensely.)

I'm looking to keep the project as a whole under 6k if possible. The room doesn't need much work, but I will be purchasing the entire sound system and projector. So I'm expecting to pry open the wallet a bit there. I'm thinking of buying a few high end pieces to begin with and some low end to fill space and then upgrade as cash allows. But I wanted to see what you all thought first. Medium level system or half high end, half lower end?

Also, with the possibility of some light creeping into the room, what type of screen and what color would fit best? I've read the forum on DIY screens and found it phenomenally helpful, not to mention cost effective. But I was a bit unclear on how to determine what color works best in what environment.

Lastly, before I go shopping, is 1080p worth the hefty price tag that seems to accompany it? I've found some amazing projectors for under $1300 at 720, but the jump to 1080 may be a good future investment.... any thoughts?

Thanks for the interest and help, you all are a huge help!

-Richard

**bpape** · **05-21-08, 06:32 AM**

720 vs 1080 is somewhat dependent on your expectations, the sources you intend to use, your screen size, and your seating distance.

Personally, I love 1080. However, you can always start with a nice 720 (not all 720's are the same by any stretch) and then upgrade in a few years.

Bryan

**Prof.** · **05-21-08, 07:33 PM**

Quote:

CompguyRG wrote:

I'm looking to keep the project as a whole under 6k if possible. The room doesn't need much work, but I will be purchasing the entire sound system and projector. So I'm expecting to pry open the wallet a bit there. I'm thinking of buying a few high end pieces to begin with and some low end to fill space and then upgrade as cash allows. But I wanted to see what you all thought first. Medium level system or half high end, half lower end?

I would advise you to initially spend big on your speakers and a 1080p. projector, if the budget allows..
The rest of the gear..Receiver, DVD player etc.. can just be mid range gear to start with, and then later you can update them..

Quote:

Also, with the possibility of some light creeping into the room, what type of screen and what color would fit best? I've read the forum on DIY screens and found it phenomenally helpful, not to mention cost effective. But I was a bit unclear on how to determine what color works best in what environment.

The Black Widow screen sounds like it would be ideal in your situation..

**CompguyRG** · **05-21-08, 09:50 PM**

Ok, so I was looking into either a basic paradigm set: 3 Cinema LCR's and 2-4 ADP surround's and a sub (still looking into those)

or Aperion Intimus 533 VAC center, 2 533 PT's, and 2-4 523 LR Bookshelf speakers, and a sub.

For receivers, I found an Onkyo TX-SR805 for $800 and was thinking that may be a decent receiver to start with.

I'm still researching projectors a bit, but I'm leaning towards a newer 720p for budgeting reasons. I was looking at the Panasonic PT-AX200U as a possibility, but we'll see what else I can dig up.

I'll keep posting as the days roll on. Thanks again for the early stage help!

-Richard

**YW84U** · **05-28-08, 01:35 AM**

Hi Richard -

Welcome to the HT neurosis! Good luck with the 6K....

....I tried that once, and it didn't work out so great

Sounds like you have some great space to work with - I'll echo the request for sketches or photos so that we can see what's going in in the room!

Anyways, I thought I'd jump in with some quick thoughts on the Onkyo you mentioned earlier - I was also recently looking at their lineup, and had a chance to demo a 605, 705, and 805 side-by-side a few weeks back. I was impressed with the sound, but one thing about the 805 is that it really throws a lot of heat! I mean, fry-an-egg-on-it kinda heat!! The 605 was a tad cooler, but IMHO the 705 was far, far better in that regard - it was produced sometime after the release of the other two models, and the newer design/specs make it a lot better on power consumption and cooling. I would encourage you to see if you can find all three to demo first before pulling the trigger on one of them to see if this might be an issue for you.

Good luck on the build, and welcome to the forums!

Cheers,

**bpape** · **05-28-08, 06:19 AM**

You might want to take a look at Ascend Acoustics for speakers also. Very nice performance for the money.

Bryan

**CompguyRG** · **05-29-08, 08:10 PM**

Thanks for the speaker advice! In regards to the Ascend System, would you recommend them over a complete SVSound system? Perhaps a mix and match? They seem to be very similar price wise, so I think either is a great option for the money. Thanks again for the help, and when I get into the house I'll be sure to get those pic's and floor plans up asap. Thanks again!

**bpape** · **05-29-08, 08:26 PM**

IMO, the Ascend mains/surrounds are far superior. As for the sub, depends on what you want. Both SVS and HSU are bargains for their performance levels for HT. If you're going to do music, I personally prefer the HSU. It's a little quicker and a little more musical.

Just my personal opinion.

Bryan

**CompguyRG** · **07-05-08, 10:38 PM**

I'm finally in my house! YAY! Now after I get done with all this pesky moving and maintenance business I can get to working on this theater! Here is the room I'm going to be putting it in. It is an old finished off 1 car garage. The dimensions are 10ft ceilings, and 25ft long by 14 ft wide. I've taken care of the windows with blinds and blackout drapes, but I'm still looking for some creative solutions on the akward entrance, I'll get the exact measurements tomorrow, but safe to say its not your standard door size and the wife isn't too keen on installing a soundproof door that connects directly to the living room. The construction to be done is a DIY screen, riser, and perhaps stage. I'll also be putting in some creative lighting that hasn't been decided yet. (Though I'm leaning towards 2 sconces on each wall and a few movie posters with art-style over hang lights. Then some path lighting and a step light for the riser.)

Just to keep an update on the sound, I'm leaning towards the SVS SCS-01 7.0 complete system (http://www.svsound.com/products-spks-scs01.cfm)
and the PB12-NSD sub. The debate is still out on whether or not I want to break the piggy bank and buy a 1080p projector or go for a really nice 720p. More on that to come.

Here are the room shots. The camera is getting full so until I go get a new memory stick this is what I got. Thanks again for all the help!

I had a 4th pic on here, doesn't seem to be showing up... odd...

**salvasol** · **07-06-08, 04:03 PM**

Nice ... this will be a

experience for you ...

Just a couple of questions/suggestions:
1) Are you placing the screen in the wall near the entrance??? ... if that's the case I'm sure that Bryan (bpape) will suggest agains that; the reason will be the accoustic problems you can have with the speaker placement; I think that is better on the wall with the big window (you can seal it completely in the inside to avoid the light and leave the window in place just for the outside look.

2) The riser will be fine near the entrance, this will help you avoid the steps down too

3) You can use an exterior door between living room and HT ... but if you can convince your wife to get a soundproof door ... that will be better. I also saw a post somewhere where the poster used two doors in the same place; that created an air gap that according to him helped to isolate the room

4) Are you planning to paint the room??? ... at least the screen wall and ceiling has to be darker to avoid light relections

... there's a lot of nice neutral colors to choose from (I used is burgandy).

**Prof.** · **07-06-08, 07:46 PM**

A rough plan of the room showing your proposed layout would be of some help in determining best equipment placement, acoustic treatments etc..

**CompguyRG** · **07-07-08, 08:10 AM**

1&2)
Yes. I had planned on placing it near the wall by the entrance. The reasons, however, are two-fold. The furniture I have in there will not fit in the room with the step there, unless of course I build the riser to meet the step height wise as you suggested. I just measured and moved it around a bit, and that looks like an excellent idea. Thanks for the suggestion!

3)
The problem is the door frame itself is wider than a standard door. I suppose I could frame it in, but as long as I have a longer door, I was thinking about getting creative with it. I just have to make it aesthetically pleasing to the chief financial officer.
4)
Yes, I am planning on painting the room a midnight blue. I'm going to use sconces to enhance the room a bit and highlight some movie memorabilia and autographs on the wall. I'd also like to put in some stair lights and LED walkway lights. I haven't worked out all the details yet. I'm painting today, I'll post some pics when its done.

Prof, this is where I'm a total newb. Is there a certain program you all use to do this? Or is a paint drawing or hand drawing scanned good enough?

Thanks!

Richard

**Prof.** · **07-07-08, 07:29 PM**

A lot of people use Sketchup to do a three dimensional layout but all we need is something showing window and door locations..room dimensions and proposed positions of equipment, screen, seating etc..

I would just use Windows "Paint" if you have that, or otherwise just draw it by hand and scan it..

**CompguyRG** · **07-11-08, 07:02 PM**

Here's a quick mess I put together in paint. If more detail is needed I'll sit down one weekend and play around with a more sophisticated program. If you have any specific questions fire away. I just finished repainting the room a midnight blue, I'll post those pics later.

I'm looking to put the screen over Window B. Up front I'm contemplating building a stage to surround the screen and hold the center left front, right front, and perhaps the sub. (Though the sub is in question depending on optimum sound) The right surround is looking to go between the door and window A and the left surround will be positioned between the entrance and the wall to match its counterpart. The rear surrounds will go behind the platform seating. I will post pics on the proposed position of the platform and seating later.

**Prof.** · **07-11-08, 08:00 PM**

Quote:

CompguyRG wrote:

Here's a quick mess I put together in paint. If more detail is needed I'll sit down one weekend and play around with a more sophisticated program. If you have any specific questions fire away. I just finished repainting the room a midnight blue, I'll post those pics later.

I'm looking to put the screen over Window B. Up front I'm contemplating building a stage to surround the screen and hold the center left front, right front, and perhaps the sub. (Though the sub is in question depending on optimum sound) The right surround is looking to go between the door and window A and the left surround will be positioned between the entrance and the wall to match its counterpart. The rear surrounds will go behind the platform seating. I will post pics on the proposed position of the platform and seating later.

That's all we needed..

Wall B looks to be a good position for the screen, but you haven't mentioned what size screen you're looking at..
The size of the screen will determine your seating distance and in turn, your surround speaker positions..

Quote:

I'm contemplating building a stage to surround the screen and hold the center left front, right front, and perhaps the sub.

Do you mean that it will be a high stage, with you speakers mounted inside it, or are you talking about building a false screenwall and placing your speakers behind it?

**CompguyRG** · **07-11-08, 08:42 PM**

Here is the newly painted room. Its a midnight blue. I don't have any lighting hooked up just yet, so there is a bright floor standing lamp providing light for the first 2 pics.

These next 2 are with the lights off, only flash.

**salvasol** · **07-11-08, 08:46 PM**

I don't have any experience with screen and projectors ... but, What about using this calculator http://www.projectorcentral.com/proj...ulator-pro.cfm or http://myhometheater.homestead.com/v...alculator.html

If I recall correctly Bryan (bpape) posted the 62% rule

... using that formula the first row of seats will be at 15'-16'

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