Highland Theater

[adk highlander]

Well after a little over 2 months of my sweat and money I am done enough to post my results. This has been a good project with relatively few hickups. The only one was I ran out of money before I could get my projector, carpeting and room treatments. I will probably get carpet in another month then treatments unless a super deal for a projector falls into my lap.

So I'm going to do a few before pics and then show the final product.

Back right of room before (entrance):
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/ht/ht/backbefore.jpg" />

Front of room before:
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/ht/ht/frontbegining.jpg" />

Back left of room before:
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/ht/ht/backleftbefore.jpg" />

I put outlets in ceiling for projector and screen:
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/ht/ht/ceilingoutlet.jpg" />

Mid contstruction of wall:
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/ht/ht/sidewall.jpg" />

Coming down stairs:
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/ht/ht/entrancemid.jpg" />

After paint with wall and ceiling grid:
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/ht/ht/midback.jpg" />

Completed Front:
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/ht/ht/afterfront.jpg" />


Back right entrance:
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/ht/ht/afterback.jpg" />

Back left:
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/ht/ht/afterbackleft.jpg" />

I used curtains to cover the entrance to the utility room and the area around the washer dryer. This gives us better light control and temp control for the utility room. I used Lutron IR dimmers for both the entrance/back of room lighting and for the main seating area. I know RF will be more convenient but these were way less money.

My HT gear is:

Processor: Onkyo Pro PR-SC885
Amp: Emotiva MPS-1
Sources: Toshiba A2, Samsung 1400 and just got my Escient SE-80 Fireball.
Main Speakers: Wharfedale EV2-50 rosewood
Center Speaker: Wharfedale Diamond 9.CM
Side Surround: Sonance Synphony 623T
Rear Surround: Sonance Synphone SRS1

Thanks for looking and please let me know your thoughts and suggestions.

[jamie2112]

Looks great....Very nice job...I am impressed...:D

[Adam]

Very cool, Craig! Looks like a great place to hang out. Thanks for the pics. I always enjoy the before and after shots.

[adk highlander]

Looks great....Very nice job...I am impressed...:D

Very cool, Craig! Looks like a great place to hang out. Thanks for the pics. I always enjoy the before and after shots.

Thanks guys. I know they say the journey is half the fun. That is crap. Now the real fun starts.:D

I must say I did not do everything myself. I did hire a guy to do the drywall installation and the ceiling grid. I did all the electrical, ht wiring, ceiling install and finish work. I have to thank my friend Ed who really helped when he could and did alot of painting. Of course he crashes in whatever room my gear is in during ski season so he will get more use out of it than me.:rolleyes:

[jamie2112]

I am a big fan of the Wharfies as I used to own a pair and I love the "British" sound of the speakers....nice choice. I bet live Phish sounds good on those..:D

[adk highlander]

I am a big fan of the Wharfies as I used to own a pair and I love the "British" sound of the speakers....nice choice. I bet live Phish sounds good on those..:D

Oh yes. I am waiting right now for a CD copy of the Clifford Ball shows that they did right next to where I lived at the time. VERY high quality recording.

[jamie2112]

My friend Mark is their monitor engineer. He is a MD boy....:D

[Alex2507]

Nice transformation.

I am looking into the future and I see a futon ... leaving. :D
Oh ... oh ... now I see ... theater seating! :)
Then I see you posting more pic's. Does this mean anything to you?
BTW, you are very happy in this future.

Really, nice job with all you've done. What kind of TV is that and how do you like it?
What size screen are you bucking for?

[adk highlander]

Nice transformation.

I am looking into the future and I see a futon ... leaving. :D
Oh ... oh ... now I see ... theater seating! :)
Then I see you posting more pic's. Does this mean anything to you?
BTW, you are very happy in this future.

Really, nice job with all you've done. What kind of TV is that and how do you like it? What size screen are you bucking for?

Oh yes that does look like my future except the futon will become the second row and a nice 2 or 3 leather theater seats will arrive. I had to kind of make a deal with the wife that we would have something you could convert to a bed when we have guests.:rolleyes:

Oh I forgot about the tv.:o It is a Westinghouse 42" LCD 1080P. It is ok but not great. It has overscan issues and blacks are ok at beast. When it came out it was the best bang for the buck. The HDMI input has a sparkle issue so I have to use a DVI connection (not that it matters).

I have a 84" tabtension electric screen that will drop down in front of the TV for movies. I am leaning toward a Mitsu HC5500 or Epson home cinema 1080UB.

Oh and I have a URC MX-810 to run it all.

[ParadigmDawg]

Very nice Craig!

[Alex2507]

I had to kind of make a deal with the wife that we would have something you could convert to a bed when we have guests.:rolleyes:

The futon will also come in handy the next time you get surprise audio gear. :D

[darien87]

Wow. What a change. Looking at the "before" pics, I was like, "What a disaster." But the "after" pics look great.

[PSWii60]

Yea, It looks really good Craig. Nice intigration, very clean, mainstream look.

[Alex2507]

No more thanks please but something was kind of bugging me. I went back and figured out what it was, no wires except a little behind one speaker. :eek:

I can never let my girl see this thread. You're making me look bad! :D

[mike c]

nice!

i like the way you hid the speaker wires.
i thought the curtains hid one giant bass trap :) (or lots of stuff)

[jamie2112]

nice!

i like the way you hid the speaker wires.
i thought the curtains hid one giant bass trap :) (or lots of stuff)

I bet he hides his stormtrooper outfit in the curtains..:eek::D
Just kidding Alex I know you only have a obie won suit...:D

[jamie2112]

Just kidding Craig....LOL I was thinking it was Alex's for a minute and I was trying to be funny but alas I SUCK again...oh well Your rig is great Craig....Say you don't have a STar Wars suit back there do you?

[Adam]

Say you don't have a STar Wars suit back there do you?

Of course, there is at least one Star Wars outfit that every guy on here would excuse. :)

[mike c]

Of course, there is at least one Star Wars outfit that every guy on here would excuse. :)

...not if a guy is gonna wear it. :eek:

[adk highlander]

I don't have one but my favorite is this one:
<img src="http://www.supershadow.com/starwars/pictures/1/princess_leia_gold_bikini.jpeg" />

[mike c]

yes, that's what i was thinking. and no, you can't wear it. :)

[Adam]

I don't have one but my favorite is this one...

Ahhh, young padawan - that is the one of which I speak. :)

...not if a guy is gonna wear it. :eek:

Word. :cool:

[Not that there's anything wrong with that!]

[jamie2112]

...not if a guy is gonna wear it. :eek:

Since Rick is not here right now: "Not that there is anything wrong with that "
:D:D

[Adam]

Since Rick is not here right now: "Not that there is anything wrong with that "
:D:D

Perhaps my font was too small... :D

J/K, man!

[jamie2112]

Perhaps my font was too small... :D

J/K, man!

I didn't even see it Adam LOL it was to little to catch my eye....

[Sheep]

Where are the 4 subwoofers? Get with the program people! :p

SheepStar

[adk highlander]

Where are the 4 subwoofers? Get with the program people! :p

SheepStar

Doh I'm and idiot. I didn't post my sub or even put it in my list.

I have an Outlaw LFM-1 and yes the lamp will be replace soon.:rolleyes:
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/ht/ht/subanddrink.jpg" />

[Alex2507]

I am so relieved to see you are using a coaster but still be careful.
Apple juice spills are no fun. :rolleyes:
:D

[ParadigmDawg]

Apple juice?

That is a fine scotch!I am so relieved to see you are using a coaster but still be careful.
Apple juice spills are no fun. :rolleyes:
:D

[Sheep]

Apple juice?

That is a fine scotch!

You'd know wouldn't ya Boozy?

SheepStar

[Sheep]

And to put this topic to rest for the last time, a properly built subwoofer, no mater how large the driver, or how many watts, will not shakes things off itself. The subwoofer will only shake things around the room. It's walls won't transfer any of those vibrations to the lamp, the cup, or even a keg.

SheepStar

[adk highlander]

I am so relieved to see you are using a coaster but still be careful.
Apple juice spills are no fun. :rolleyes:
:D

See Below:D

Apple juice?

That is a fine scotch!

A Balvenie Doublewood to be precise

You'd know wouldn't ya Boozy?

SheepStar

That is not nice. A recognition of a good scotch is a skill that one should be proud of.:cool:

[ParadigmDawg]

I could have told you what kind it was just by looking but that seems disturbing:eek:You'd know wouldn't ya Boozy?

SheepStar

[Alex2507]

I could have told you what kind it was just by looking but that seems disturbing:eek:

Ya think? :D

[Davemcc]

That's a nice space you've built. Big difference from before and after, for sure. But I have to think there's a problem when the bottle of scotch you're drinking rivals the value of the seating in your home theater. Something tells me you need some fine leather seating to really complete the whole experience.:)

[Adam]

Dave's thoughts: But I have to think there's a problem when the bottle of scotch you're drinking rivals the value of the seating in your home theater.

Greg's thoughts: But I have to think there's a problem when the seating in your home theater rivals the value of the bottle of scotch you're drinking.

It's all a matter of perspective. :)

[Just guessing on Greg's thoughts, of course.]

[adk highlander]

That's a nice space you've built. Big difference from before and after, for sure. But I have to think there's a problem when the bottle of scotch you're drinking rivals the value of the seating in your home theater. Something tells me you need some fine leather seating to really complete the whole experience.:)

Thanks and I agree but at this point I will just have to compromise and deal. Who knows what my mysteriously arrive on our porch one day.:)

Adam you are right on as usual.

[Davemcc]

Who knows what my mysteriously arrive on our porch one day.:)



Let me guess...it's Greg following the aroma of a fine scotch.:D

[ParadigmDawg]

Carolyn can show you a place that can take a 1k couch, build it into a 4k couch and deliver it in 8 weeks:eek:. Mine will be her in mid November.Thanks and I agree but at this point I will just have to compromise and deal. Who knows what my mysteriously arrive on our porch one day.:)

Adam you are right on as usual.

[Adam]

Carolyn can show you a place that can take a 1k couch, build it into a 4k couch and deliver it in 8 weeks:eek:. Mine will be her in mid November.

Sweet. Couch upgrades. Who would have guessed?

"Yeah, I like Ethan Allen, but I went with Broyhill because there's just so much more aftermarket gear for them."

I will await your YouTube postings, as well as Sheep's responses.

[Bluesmoke]

I don't have one but my favorite is this one:
<img src="http://www.supershadow.com/starwars/pictures/1/princess_leia_gold_bikini.jpeg" />

Here's the new an updated version.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/bluesmoke79/95979a5d.jpg

[Rogozhin]

Very nice Craig!

I concur! You've created a great space! :D

[adk highlander]

Thanks. I have not seen the promised pics of the EVO 30's in their new home. Hint Hint.;)

[Rogozhin]

Thanks. I have not seen the promised pics of the EVO 30's in their new home. Hint Hint.;)


I forgot to send you the link! :p

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3230/2924886743_c7850aec14_b.jpg

That's the best picture I have of those beauties (besides the individual pic in my thread)!

[adk highlander]

They look great. That is one sweet setup.:D

[Rogozhin]

They look great. That is one sweet setup.:D

They sound wonderful too!

Thanks for the compliment. :)

[Vart]

Hey adk where do you buy your gear up there? Is there a place in Placid or are you ordering over the net?

[adk highlander]

Hi Vart, it is really a mix. Most of what is in this room was over the internet or out of state dealers. There is nothing in Placid so the best place is Alpha Stereo in Plattsburgh. I have bought quite a bit from them over the years but he does not carry Onkyo/Integra so I had to go elsewhere for that.

I make it down to Albany fairly frequently. Do you have any suggestions down there? I will be looking for a projector in the coming months.

Thanks.

[A/VUSMCSGT]

Looks hot!!!!

And nice TV!!

[Vart]

Hi Vart, it is really a mix. Most of what is in this room was over the internet or out of state dealers. There is nothing in Placid so the best place is Alpha Stereo in Plattsburgh. I have bought quite a bit from them over the years but he does not carry Onkyo/Integra so I had to go elsewhere for that.

I make it down to Albany fairly frequently. Do you have any suggestions down there? I will be looking for a projector in the coming months.

Thanks.

I used to go to Alpha a lot and drool over the car audio equipment when I was in high school and didn't have any money.

In Albany there is of course BB and CC. There was a Tweeter, but that closed a couple of years ago. Hippo's (http://hipposonline.com/index.php) has a decent selection, but their prices aren't too great. There really aren't a lot of higher end dealers around here. There are a few that work with home builders, but they really don't want to work with you unless you are buying an entire system from them and having them install it. There is also Towne TV (http://www.townetv.com/) over in Rotterdam. I haven't been there in a while though so I'm not sure what they carry now.

[TheFactor]

nice!

i like the way you hid the speaker wires.
i thought the curtains hid one giant bass trap :) (or lots of stuff)

Thats were the HT wizard is :D What a awesome HT Room , well done !!!!

[croseiv]

Very impressive set-up there adk!:)

[adk highlander]

Thanks guys. Things have kind of stayed pat for a while. I have a 84" tab tension screen sitting in the basement at my office. I just need to get the right deal on a projector.

I also need seating so it will be one or the other first. Oh and carpet.:rolleyes:

I'll probably end up getting the projector first. Carpet and seating is kind of boaring compared to new piece of electronics.:D

[ParadigmDawg]

Ut Oh.....If Craig is posting on his set up it means he is itching to buy something new. Just go do it man, it won't hurt much.....

[Alex2507]

he is itching to buy something new. Just go do it man,

I just need to get the right deal on a projector.

Resist Craig, the path of tha Dawg leadeth to really cool HT and you don't want that.
Be complacent Craig, let the screen sit unused ... unloved.

So when are you getting it? You need help cooking up a story?:D

[Adam]

Ut Oh.....If Craig is posting on his set up it means he is itching to buy something new. Just go do it man, it won't hurt much.....
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/12/16164311_129708b899.jpg?v=0


At first, I thought that Alex was going to help you, but then...
Resist Craig, the path of tha Dawg leadeth to really cool HT and you don't want that.
Be complacent Craig, let the screen sit unused ... unloved.

So when are you getting it? You need help cooking up a story?:D

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t160/wickman2k/Family-Guy-Evil-Monkey-Poster.jpg

:D :D

[adk highlander]

Hee Hee. Nice Adam.

Oh it will be a little while before I buy anything. I am still paying for the 3 sets of skiis I've bought.:eek::D 2 for me and 1 for the wife. Seems fair.:rolleyes:

Heading to the mountain in a few minutes.

[Alex2507]

Heading to the mountain.

Why? :confused: It's cold out there. :eek:

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k479/Alex2507_2008/cold.png

Get a projector and stay in. :cool: :D

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k479/Alex2507_2008/ski-simulator-new-gadgets-1.jpg

[Shock]

"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!"

Looks good.

[Shivers]

Wow, really nice looking setup you have there, I'm jealous! Enjoy it! :)

[adk highlander]

Why? :confused: It's cold out there. :eek:

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k479/Alex2507_2008/cold.png

Get a projector and stay in. :cool: :D

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k479/Alex2507_2008/ski-simulator-new-gadgets-1.jpg


Great shots alex.:D:D I must say skiing yesterday was f%$@ing amazing. I am dead tired today from all the runs and drinks afterward but it was so worth it.

Thanks for the nice words shock and shivers. (Hmm that would be a good band name or a porn.:eek:)

[Ito]

I must say skiing yesterday was f%$@ing amazing. I am dead tired today from all the runs and drinks afterward but it was so worth it.


you lucky..... ::shakes fist:: I want to go skiing :D

[adk highlander]

Today I added my new Opus Tri Center speaker.:D:D

First comment is wow it is much bigger and way more solid. Knocking on this thing there is no echo just a solid thud. Much heavier, Tri-wireable:rolleyes: and very shiny.:)

I did some quick comparisons and this is a definite step up for me. It has much more detail and wider sound stage. I'm going to have to rerun my setup to reset my levels to really see how it integrates but so far I'm very happy.

Here are some pics


Front side by side. Left is the Opus and right is the diamond 9.CM
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/assets/images/centercompare.jpg" />

From the top.
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/assets/images/topcompare.jpg" />

Close up.
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/assets/images/opus.jpg" />

[Alex2507]

IF your wife says anything ... deny everything. :eek:
Call it pretending. :D

[mike c]

nice. looks like a giant PS3 :)

[jamie2112]

nice. looks like a giant PS3 :)

LMFAO too funny....

Looks really cool man I likes it I does..........

[adk highlander]

IF your wife says anything ... deny everything. :eek:
Call it pretending. :D

I plan on it. I can see it now - "Oh no honey that is the same speaker I've always had. I just cleaned the dust off."

nice. looks like a giant PS3 :)

:D


Looks really cool man I likes it I does..........

Thanks Jamie. Now I just need free time to really test it out.

[croseiv]

Very impressive looking center there!

[Matt34]

Nice room, thought I made a comment in this thread but apparently not.:D

[ParadigmDawg]

Just tell your wife I gave it to you like you gave me the Niles, amp and speakers for my bedroom.

[adk highlander]

Just tell your wife I gave it to you like you gave me the Niles, amp and speakers for my bedroom.

I think the jig is up for me. I'll just take my medicine like a man.:rolleyes:

She just called and said she wants a new laptop so I think that will HAVE to arrive before the sub. Or at least as far as she knows.:p

[ParadigmDawg]

You got off better than me since I have to do a pool and outdoor kitchen before I can get a PJ.I think the jig is up for me. I'll just take my medicine like a man.:rolleyes:

She just called and said she wants a new laptop so I think that will HAVE to arrive before the sub. Or at least as far as she knows.:p

[adk highlander]

Ok finally I have made the move and set up the new projector and screen. I have a Mitsubishi HC5500. I was on the fence between this model and the Epson's but the sale, no interest, free bulb and $300 mail in rebate made my choice. Also this thing is dead quiet. Honestly I cannot hear it run when I am sitting almost right below it. My LG plasma makes way more noise.

The screen is a Severtson 84" tab tension with a RF remote. Not a brand name known much for HT use but they have made IMAX screens for several years and I literally got it for a steal. I purchased it last september and it has been sitting at my office until I got the projector (and the wife didn't know:rolleyes:).

The mount for the projector is a Premier Mount universal projector mount (thanks majorloser).

Last but not least is the new Oppo BDP-83. I cannot say more than has been said about this player. Fast, good looking and will play almost any disk out there.

So here are the pics:

screen up
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/documents/frontscreenup.jpg" />

screen down
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/documents/frontscreendown.jpg" />

pojector front
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/documents/projectorfront.jpg" />

projector side
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/documents/projectormounted.jpg" />

rack
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/documents/gearrack.jpg" />

[TheFactor]

Very nice !!! What a sweet setup you have there.

[Yamaheart]

simply beautiful man. Thanks.

[adk highlander]

Very nice !!! What a sweet setup you have there.

simply beautiful man. Thanks.

Thanks guys. I must say this was a challenge. I wanted to mount the screen to drop as close to the front of the TV as I could. Also I had to make my own brackets to mount down through the drop ceiling. I can't believe it turned out level.:rolleyes:

One thing I have learned through this process is don't rush things. I sat for a couple of days and made a few drawings of what I wanted to do before I even cut a piece of wood.

[j_garcia]

Looks great man! Love that cubby of gear.

[ParadigmDawg]

Awesome Craig!

[Matt34]

Very cool setup! I miss having a dedicated room.

[majorloser]

The room really came out nice!

If you want to clean up the cable on the back of the projector, they make angled connectors for the HDMI cable (port saver) and the power cord. You just need to know which direction it needs to turn.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041907&p_id=3733&seq=1&format=2

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041907&p_id=3850&seq=1&format=2

http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=1022&sku=03152

[adk highlander]

The room really came out nice!

If you want to clean up the cable on the back of the projector, they make angled connectors for the HDMI cable (port saver) and the power cord. You just need to know which direction it needs to turn.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041907&p_id=3733&seq=1&format=2

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041907&p_id=3850&seq=1&format=2

http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=1022&sku=03152

Thanks major!

Those are very cool. I love monoprice.:)

I'm still playing with how far down I'm dropping the mount. The HC5500 does not have the lens shift range of the Epson's so I have to have it farther down than I was hoping. I've watched 3 movies so far and I feel like I'm looking up a bit too much. I'm also not exactly centered (off by <1/2 inch) so I have an a bit of overscan on the right side. After fix that and the drop height I will get those and get it nice and clean.

Looking at the power cord looks just like the one on my Fireball so maybe I'll just swap them the next time I pull apart my rack.

[adk highlander]

Sorry for doing a little post padding but I wanted to put some pics of the new sub here.

This pic is of the Outlaw LFM-1 and the Snell. The Outlaw is a bottom firing so I tipped it up to see the driver.
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/documents/subs.jpg" />

Here is one just of the Snell.
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/documents/sub2.jpg" />

Just to give a point of reference the drivers on the Snell are 12" and the cabinet is 29" high.

This has to be one of the most significant changes I have made to my system. It has even made some previews worth watching.:rolleyes:

The only downfall is that at night I have to be more careful or I wake up the wife and kid. I am now wishing I had the most recent version of my prepro and have the new Dolby Volume to keep the dynamics at these lower volumes. Oh well all I can say is this thing kicks major but and I don't have to worry about it bottoming out like the LFM.

[Adam]

Very cool, Craig! Happy to hear that you're still married after she found out about that sub. :D Does she like the difference, or can she even tell?

That thing looks like a beast. :)

[adk highlander]

Very cool, Craig! Happy to hear that you're still married after she found out about that sub. :D Does she like the difference, or can she even tell?

That thing looks like a beast. :)

Thanks Adam. I waited to tell her about it on my birthday last weekend so that helped. In fact she even helped me carry it down to the theater. All 130lbs+ of it.

She's jumped a few times more with this one but the projector is what really sold her on the theater. For her watching So you think you can dance that big in HD has made her happy.:confused::rolleyes:

[TheFactor]

Very Nice !!!

[jostenmeat]

I have no idea how I missed the big update a couple of month ago, but WTG! Sheesh, how'd I miss this? :confused:

[Tomorrow]

Nice update! Man, this is looking clean and sweet AND it even gets the housekeeper's seal of approval. You're doing everything right, ADK! Congrats.

[adk highlander]

Thanks guys! I think I'm really down to needing window treatments, seating and flooring and I'll be good. I want to squeeze two rows in but I will need to find seats that are not too deep. Also the hallway coming down needs carpet and some other work to keep reverb down.

Again I appreciate the support. We are all really enjoying this as a family and I would not be where I am without the help and support from this forum.

[mike c]

nice, looks like that snell will trounce the outlaw sub ... just by looking at the drivers :)

[jamie2112]

I don't like you right now Craig.I am not going to talk to you for at least 30 seconds.........:D

[adk highlander]

nice, looks like that snell will trounce the outlaw sub ... just by looking at the drivers :)

Yes they are definately a higher quality driver. The cabinet construction is way more solid as well. The knock test on this thing just gives a thud.

I don't like you right now Craig.I am not going to talk to you for at least 30 seconds.........:D

Hehe. I'll make it up to you. Let me know when your tour dates are set for the east coast. Any chance you will be coming to Montreal?

[Seth V]

Ok finally I have made the move and set up the new projector and screen. I have a Mitsubishi HC5500. I was on the fence between this model and the Epson's but the sale, no interest, free bulb and $300 mail in rebate made my choice. Also this thing is dead quiet. Honestly I cannot hear it run when I am sitting almost right below it. My LG plasma makes way more noise.

The screen is a Severtson 84" tab tension with a RF remote. Not a brand name known much for HT use but they have made IMAX screens for several years and I literally got it for a steal. I purchased it last september and it has been sitting at my office until I got the projector (and the wife didn't know:rolleyes:).

The mount for the projector is a Premier Mount universal projector mount (thanks majorloser).

Last but not least is the new Oppo BDP-83. I cannot say more than has been said about this player. Fast, good looking and will play almost any disk out there.

So here are the pics:

screen up
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/documents/frontscreenup.jpg" />

screen down
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/documents/frontscreendown.jpg" />

pojector front
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/documents/projectorfront.jpg" />

projector side
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/documents/projectormounted.jpg" />

rack
<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/documents/gearrack.jpg" />

That is one sweet setup! I love the layout and the clean look. Nice gear selection as well. Having a drop down screen for movie watching and using my Sony 70XBR2 for all other TV watching is my plan for the not too distant future. Not too sure what PJ and screen size I'm going to get, but it will be a very similar arrangement to yours.

Thanks for sharing.:)


Seth

[croseiv]

Most impressive!

[jrogersfc]

Hi,

My name is John and i just recently bought a mitsu HC5500 and a premier mount just like yours. I'm having a hard time trying to figure out how the arms go in the holes of projector. Can you help? Can you send me pics of how your mount is positioned on the projector? Thanks! God bless! :confused:

[jrogersfc]

Hi
adk highlander,
My name is John and i just recently bought a mitsu HC5500 and a premier mount just like yours. I'm having a hard time trying to figure out how the arms go in the holes of projector. Can you help? Can you send me pics of how your mount is positioned on the projector? Thanks! God bless! :confused:

[adk highlander]

Hi
adk highlander,
My name is John and i just recently bought a mitsu HC5500 and a premier mount just like yours. I'm having a hard time trying to figure out how the arms go in the holes of projector. Can you help? Can you send me pics of how your mount is positioned on the projector? Thanks! God bless! :confused:

Hi John,

I'm working now so when I get home I will snap a few and post them here. If I remember correctly I removed the longer arms and had to play with it a bit to get it lined up where I felt it was not putting to much pressure on any one bolt.

Remember that this projector has not vertical shift so you have to get this mounted where your lens will be centered to the screen.

Cheers.

[adk highlander]

Hi
adk highlander,
My name is John and i just recently bought a mitsu HC5500 and a premier mount just like yours. I'm having a hard time trying to figure out how the arms go in the holes of projector. Can you help? Can you send me pics of how your mount is positioned on the projector? Thanks! God bless! :confused:

Sorry it took me a bit longer. The wife kept me busy today putting insulation in the attic and mounting some blinds.

Here you go:

http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/documents/mount1.jpg

http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/documents/mount2.jpg

As you can see the mount is offset to the left to help compensate for the offset lens. Let me know if you have any more questions.

[Alex2507]

No turntable ?!? :confused:

Oh, it's only for movie then. :D :D

[adk highlander]

No turntable ?!? :confused:

Oh, it's only for movie then. :D :D

I did not really set up the rack to handle one. Who knows what will come later down the line. I will probably get one for my office first. I listen to much more music there then in the theater.

[adk highlander]

I've got some pics of my cleaned up wiring for my HT/Wholehouse system.

I recently finished getting my Integra MZA 4.7 installed into my bedroom zone so we can now watch any of our sources in our bedroom. I'm still having a bit of an issue with IR signal strength to the sat receivers but other than that it works well.

This first pic is the back of my Prepro. Almost 100% HDMI for sources. My Fireball uses component video and the second component cable is for a media port I'm going to install below the rack to hook up a Wii or any other portable source. One of the HDMI cables will also go to the media port.
http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/ht/top.jpg

Here are most of my sources The top is a HD Sat box, below that is a HD DVR, the BDP-83 and my fireball. All are run both HDMI/digital to the prepro and composite/analog stereo to the MZA 4.7.
http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/ht/middle.jpg

On top here is the MZA 4.7 and below is my MPS-1. The MZA has all the IR keypad control coming in via cat 5 on the right side and the IR emitters are next to that. In the center are all the incoming sources and the 4 zone outputs. The MZA is cool in that I can either use it as a pre with an amp or use one if the internal 2x50w amps. For the multispeaker zone for inside and outside listening I use an Onkyo M282 amp. The other 2 zones are for my wife's treadmill and our bedroom.
http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/ht/amp.jpg

I also have another DVD player that is off to the side where I keep the Onkyo amp and a power center for all the sources to go through. I have 2 dedicated 20 amp circuits for the rack so I don't have to worry.

I have a couple of pics of the front. Sorry they are a bit blurry.
http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/ht/topfront.jpg
http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/ht/frontlower.jpg

We recently carpeted the room and I have also just finished installing my Snell sub into the front wall. Wmax game me direction on the foam and other good info. For now I am running both subs without a DCX which I will get later to work bass response.

I still have to finish the grill cover and then I will post pics on that and the rest of the room. Next is a new couch which will have to wait until after Christmas.

[nibhaz]

Looking great Craig! Awesome cable management.:eek:

For all its faults, HDMI is still great in my book.

[adk highlander]

Looking great Craig! Awesome cable management.:eek:

For all its faults, HDMI is still great in my book.

Thanks. I want to get some more velcro so I can move things without replacing the zip ties. It is more that I think nice wiring looks cool than the idea that I am being a neat freak.

[ParadigmDawg]

What is behind the cabinet in the wall?

Can you post some more pictures of your sub in the wall?

Nice clean wire management.

Talk to me more about the fireball. I may want to add a better server for my music.

[adk highlander]

What is behind the cabinet in the wall?

The cabinet goes back into a small room that has my furnace, storage, breaker panel, etc. Is that what you mean?

Can you post some more pictures of your sub in the wall??

I will. I'm kind of an idiot not taking pics of the build process but I was so focused to get in done that I forgot.:rolleyes: The cab is made from 3/4 ply that is lined with high density latex foam that Chris helped me find. It is not attached to the wall or anything to lessen the chances of it vibrating the wall. So far it seems to work well. I was watching Star Trek and I went back there during one of the space battle scences and the vibrations from the cab were minimal.

Nice clean wire management.?

Thank you.:D

Talk to me more about the fireball. I may want to add a better server for my music.

I have the SE-80 which is their base model. Dave also has one so if he is around he can get me on anything I get wrong or miss.

The good:

Good looking user interface with album art and different sort orders.
Will play/store most formats including flac. But will not play apple lossless
all ouputs are active (both analog and digital)
Has a 3.5mm IR input so no flasher neccessary.
Uses gracenote to get album art.


The not so good:

Only 80GB and you cannot put a bigger hard drive in it. It will use a pc as a source but if I have to turn on the computer as well it kind of defeats the purpose. It will not use a NAS device.
setting up playlists and changing to and from shuffle is kind of a pain.
It is not super quiet. The fan runs even when in standby so it may be a power sink.
If you have songs that import incorrectly using a remote to edit is a pain.
Cannot rip and listen to music at the same time.


They make other models that have larger drives but can really get expensive. I went with this because I grabbed it on ebay for less than 400 bucks. I would really like something from their vision series to play video as well but then you are looking at several grand.

I will say this I love it compared to having to deal with a computer interface. I always have music on in the house if I'm hanging out. To be able to walk up to my keypad and easily pick an album is easy and it really impresses your friends.:rolleyes:

Here is a pick of my main keypad with the speaker selector and mini LCD I put in to view the fireball. I can use any source (dvd etc.) but who would want to watch TV on a 7" screen.:confused:
http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/documents/wholehouse.jpg

[jostenmeat]

I am very impressed! The rack looks great! I didn't know cable mgmt could be so impressive! :p The automation is very impressive too. Again, I am very impressed, thanks for sharing.

[rmk]

Great job on the room ADK, good equipment choices and you have me feeling ashamed of my sloppy cable work.:p;)

[adk highlander]

I am very impressed! The rack looks great! I didn't know cable mgmt could be so impressive! :p The automation is very impressive too. Again, I am very impressed, thanks for sharing.

Thanks josten I really appreciate it. I'll be bugging you soon. I've been doing my best to tweak my projector but I still think it can be better. I need to spend another hour or two with the Spears & Munsil disk so I can ask the correct questions.

Great job on the room ADK, good equipment choices and you have me feeling ashamed of my sloppy cable work.:p;)

Thanks RMK. Well you don't see any of your gear so I don't think it matters as much.:) I look forward to hearing your impressions if you get the height channels. I've decided to wait on the processor for a few months and get my seating and some pannels after Christmas.

[jostenmeat]

Thanks josten I really appreciate it. I'll be bugging you soon. I've been doing my best to tweak my projector but I still think it can be better. I need to spend another hour or two with the Spears & Munsil disk so I can ask the correct questions.

I would love to help you as much as I can, however, I don't know jack about calibrating. I will research your PJ some later, when time permits, and that I remember to.

I would look towards those who actually calibrate for a living, or at least have calibrated many displays. I think perhaps of bandphan, majorloser, others. Maybe HiHo, PhilTaylor. Um. BMX might be worth a shot. Er. Probably not me though. :o

How about this, gimme a head start, and let me know the ballpark that the question(s) might fall into.

[jostenmeat]

adk, I looked around a bit regarding calibration settings for your unit. While I'll link a couple of settings that people got, of course the best is to do it for your own room, screen type, screen size, etc, (which of course you're doing already) but maybe they can serve as a reference.

First of all, if you are having troubles, though it's something you probably know more about than I do, it's been said to calibrate with the auto-iris OFF. Then after calibration, turn it back on if you want it.

Here is one very interested consumer's settings, probably the most involved at the AVS owner's thread, but he uses a DaLite High Power which is a very particular animal. His settings (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=15061988&postcount=977).

ProjectorReviews settings, but high lamp. I think someone mentioned that they might also have low lamp setting suggestions, but I did not immediately notice them. High Lamp Settings (http://www.projectorreviews.com/mitsubishi/hc5500/performance.php#calibration).

[adk highlander]

adk, I looked around a bit regarding calibration settings for your unit. While I'll link a couple of settings that people got, of course the best is to do it for your own room, screen type, screen size, etc, (which of course you're doing already) but maybe they can serve as a reference.

First of all, if you are having troubles, though it's something you probably know more about than I do, it's been said to calibrate with the auto-iris OFF. Then after calibration, turn it back on if you want it.

Here is one very interested consumer's settings, probably the most involved at the AVS owner's thread, but he uses a DaLite High Power which is a very particular animal. His settings (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=15061988&postcount=977).

ProjectorReviews settings, but high lamp. I think someone mentioned that they might also have low lamp setting suggestions, but I did not immediately notice them. High Lamp Settings (http://www.projectorreviews.com/mitsubishi/hc5500/performance.php#calibration).

Thanks so much Josten! The AVS guy is the one I have been corresponding with and using his settings just do not work well with my screen. He is a really nice guy and very helpful. I have to go back and find what my gain is for my screen. I was sure it is 1.1 but I am questioning myself now.:confused:

I think part of my problem may be I dont' know what a properly calibrated projector looks like. It may be that I will just have to breakdown and get my not so local pro to come out. Or if any of they pro's from here ski I can put them up for the weekend in trade.:D

[Davemcc]

I have the SE-80 which is their base model. Dave also has one so if he is around he can get me on anything I get wrong or miss.

The good:

Good looking user interface with album art and different sort orders.
Will play/store most formats including flac. But will not play apple lossless
all ouputs are active (both analog and digital)
Has a 3.5mm IR input so no flasher neccessary.
Uses gracenote to get album art.


*Very high WAF. My wife has already claimed the Fireball in the event of a divorce.
*Only 80g but very efficient storage. I've got almost 500 CDs loaded at 192 bit rate and still have about half the memory left.
*Outstanding customer service...perhaps the best I've encountered anywhere.
*automatic updates on-line


The not so good:

Only 80GB and you cannot put a bigger hard drive in it. It will use a pc as a source but if I have to turn on the computer as well it kind of defeats the purpose. It will not use a NAS device.
setting up playlists and changing to and from shuffle is kind of a pain.
It is not super quiet. The fan runs even when in standby so it may be a power sink.
If you have songs that import incorrectly using a remote to edit is a pain.
Cannot rip and listen to music at the same time.




*Well, changing to and from shuffle mode is as easy as toggling the "mode" button on the remote.
*I never hear my fan running unless I am leaning in close to the unit.
*The PS3 can't use it as a server because the PS3 can't read the proprietary file format.

PS...awesome wire management.:cool:

[jostenmeat]

Thanks so much Josten! The AVS guy is the one I have been corresponding with and using his settings just do not work well with my screen. He is a really nice guy and very helpful. I have to go back and find what my gain is for my screen. I was sure it is 1.1 but I am questioning myself now.:confused:

You're welcome, adk. I am familiar with some of his posting history, and I agree that he is nice, helpful, and yet at the same time he calls it like he sees it. I have an issue to bring up, being that there IS unit to unit variation with projectors. For instance, arguably the most popular brand right now, Epson, was stated as perhaps having the most unit to unit variation among popular models, at least with their previous generations, such as the 1080UB. Jason Turk basically stated that using others' calibrations was pointless with that model. That detracts very little, if anything at all, from its calibrated performance.

*Very high WAF. My wife has already claimed the Fireball in the event of a divorce.
*Only 80g but very efficient storage. I've got almost 500 CDs loaded at 192 bit rate and still have about half the memory left.
*Outstanding customer service...perhaps the best I've encountered anywhere.
*automatic updates on-line
*Well, changing to and from shuffle mode is as easy as toggling the "mode" button on the remote.
*I never hear my fan running unless I am leaning in close to the unit.
*The PS3 can't use it as a server because the PS3 can't read the proprietary file format.

PS...awesome wire management.:cool:

Will you two tell me more about this? I think I want to join the 21st century. I am guessing that I have about 600 cd's. I know absolutely nothing about modern media playback.

It would be ideal if there was a nice touch screen display/remote to find titles. I hope it's not something that must be displayed on a TV, because there isn't any TV coupled to my stereo.

This unit is ID only? $999? What is a leading contender to this unit (if there is any at all?). Anything else I should know?

Oh, Dave, how long did it take to load 300 cd's? You guys back this up on some other hard drive (so that the work doesn't have to be repeated)?. I listen to about 99% classical, and I would probably opt to load the stuff at the highest possible bitrate I imagine.

Thank you very much.

[Davemcc]

We spent a couple of marathon sessions over the first couple of weeks loading in the first few hundred CDs. The rest have been added in over time. I'm not really sure about how to back up for the Escient itself. I don't think we've done that. On the other hand, I don't think the Escient is susceptible to failure the way a normal computer is (I hope).

One good thing is that you can transfer files from the Fireball via ethernet into another computer. You have to convert them to MP3 or whatever after the file transfer, but we actually use the Fireball as the backup for our computers' libraries.

Small 13-15" LCD Tv's are cheap nowadays. You could pick one of them up to act as a display.

I didn't post in your other thread because I don't really know anything about other server options except that some of them are ungodly expensive.

[Rickster71]

Hi guys,
I have the MX-111 it's 160 GB and I've stored my Cd's in FLAC. Cd's take about 2.5 to 3 minutes each, to copy.
You can also leave out tracks you don't like. How much it holds depends on what format you copy them in.

One nice feature is that it can be networked and can use your PC as if it's another drive.
The 'Fireball-PC' software can be downloaded from the Escient site.

I unplug mine when not in use. Since it less wear and tear when the drive isn't spinning, and quiet.

Here's some info: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-m2jfg8v3gww/p_641MX111/Escient-FireBall-MX-111.html

[jostenmeat]

Thanks so much for the replies guys. I want to continue to pick your guys' brains, but because this is adk's build thread, I really don't want to do that here. I will quote your responses in my other thread, if that's ok. Thanks.

[adk highlander]

Thanks so much for the replies guys. I want to continue to pick your guys' brains, but because this is adk's build thread, I really don't want to do that here. I will quote your responses in my other thread, if that's ok. Thanks.

No problem Josten. I've found I only use some of the functions and Dave's post helped me figure out that I don't have to go as far into the menu system to change the shuffle controls.:rolleyes:

Rick I didn't know you had a MX-111. Do you have a DVD changer or do you just use it as a music server?

[Ben_in_COSpring]

I like your in-wall shelves / rack. Is that all custom?


<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/documents/gearrack.jpg">

[adk highlander]

I like your in-wall shelves / rack. Is that all custom?


<img src="http://www.indianrockconsulting.com/documents/gearrack.jpg">

Thanks Ben. Yes it is. I built 2 2x4 walls that are sides of the rack and tied them into the main wall. I cut a hole in the existing drywall and then lined the cabinet with 1/4 inch material. I made my shelves from 3/4 inch ply and used some heavy duty shelf braces for the bottom to hold 250 lbs. I used lighter duty brackets for the upper shelves and veneered the front edge and painted it black.

The side 2x4 walls keep the wiring clean. The only negative I've found is that I did not set it up for adjustable shelves. I've left gaps and the back bottom and top that I am going to install fans to pull the hot air out of the rack.

[AVRat]

Nice setup! I also have the MX-111 and only use it as a music server. I loaded up 385 disks over 5 weekends.

[nibhaz]

Thanks Ben. Yes it is. I built 2 2x4 walls that are sides of the rack and tied them into the main wall. I cut a hole in the existing drywall and then lined the cabinet with 1/4 inch material. I made my shelves from 3/4 inch ply and used some heavy duty shelf braces for the bottom to hold 250 lbs. I used lighter duty brackets for the upper shelves and veneered the front edge and painted it black.

The side 2x4 walls keep the wiring clean. The only negative I've found is that I did not set it up for adjustable shelves. I've left gaps and the back bottom and top that I am going to install fans to pull the hot air out of the rack.

Had you ever worked with veneer prior to this project?

I guess I am really interested in the learning curve.

[adk highlander]

Had you ever worked with veneer prior to this project?

I guess I am really interested in the learning curve.

No I had not and I purchased the "iron on" type of veneer. I lined the top edge of the veneer with the top surface of my shelf and ironed the strip on. Once it had cured I used a razor blade to score the edge that was wider thant the shelf. I did this until the extra basically fell off in my hand. I sanded it then paint. I don't think I would have been happy with my work if I would not have painted it.

[nibhaz]

Thanks Craig,

Veneer is something I’m defiantly interested in learning more about, but to be honest I’m intimidated. For your project it seems that it has worked out nicely, providing a more finished look to your custom build.

Would the material you used work on the back side of a speaker? Can it wrap around a corner? Do we have a resident veneer expert here at AH? I know WmAx has a good bit of knowledge but little time :(

[Rickster71]

Rick I didn't know you had a MX-111. Do you have a DVD changer or do you just use it as a music server?

I use it as a music server. I remember at the time I got mine (at least 4 years ago) I was told that due to copyright restrictions I could archive movies.

[adk highlander]

Thanks Craig,

Veneer is something I’m defiantly interested in learning more about, but to be honest I’m intimidated. For your project it seems that it has worked out nicely, providing a more finished look to your custom build.

Would the material you used work on the back side of a speaker? Can it wrap around a corner? Do we have a resident veneer expert here at AH? I know WmAx has a good bit of knowledge but little time :(

No problem Ryan.

I don't want you to think what I did was difficult at all. This stuff was made for what I used it for and the heat activated glue makes it very easy to use.

The product I used would not be for the back of a speaker. The width was less than 3 inches. This would go around a bull nose corner but you would need to steam it first to get it that pliable.

[jostenmeat]

Hey adk. I just wanted to check in to see how the calibration conundrum was coming along. I swear one day soon I'm going to better familiarize myself with the Spears/Munsil.

So, I wanted to just blurt out loud about calibrating last night, just in case anything might be of interest, however unlikely. I went through a lot of the DVE last night, even repeating certain chapters multiple times, and one particularly good explanation for the layman (or so I thought), which is not explained in the AVIA II, as far as I remember, was the discussion about how contrast and brightness are so inter-related.

The point was to get the grayscale bars not to clip on either side, but in order to do so, both brightness and contrast had to be played with. They did explain that certain displays have a "set black" so to speak, and just go upwards with range, and that other displays will move its dynamic abilities as a whole, upward or downward.


The interesting part:

Last night I got to +4 brightness and -5 contrast, and as it was late, just watched a few scenes of Kill Bill, one of my best reference live action discs. The pic at times almost seemed too dim, yet the bright stuff (such as in Copperhead's sunlit kitchen, or the fluorescent lights where the Pussy Wagon was garaged) was almost too bright! Weird! I thought I must have done very well to realize the potential of my dynamic range. However, today, I was thinking I wanted some of the people themselves to look a little brighter, ideal calibration be damned.

So, I played again with the DVE tonight, and replaying the chapter once again (since I already had to bust the disc out anyways to replay some sweeps causing buzzes with a speaker), I redid the contrast test. I think the way I did it last night was so that the last two black bars could be clearly discerned. However, tonight, I maxed contrast both ways, and I could always discern the difference, but just only barely sometimes.

I've since moved both the contrast and brightness both closer to zero a couple of notches. I ran some of the demo stuff loaded on the DVE, but I hope to watch some film before I retire tonight, and the verdict is still out. I dunno, thought I'd share.

How bout you? :D

[adk highlander]

Hey adk. I just wanted to check in to see how the calibration conundrum was coming along. I swear one day soon I'm going to better familiarize myself with the Spears/Munsil.

So, I wanted to just blurt out loud about calibrating last night, just in case anything might be of interest, however unlikely. I went through a lot of the DVE last night, even repeating certain chapters multiple times, and one particularly good explanation for the layman (or so I thought), which is not explained in the AVIA II, as far as I remember, was the discussion about how contrast and brightness are so inter-related.

The point was to get the grayscale bars not to clip on either side, but in order to do so, both brightness and contrast had to be played with. They did explain that certain displays have a "set black" so to speak, and just go upwards with range, and that other displays will move its dynamic abilities as a whole, upward or downward.


The interesting part:

Last night I got to +4 brightness and -5 contrast, and as it was late, just watched a few scenes of Kill Bill, one of my best reference live action discs. The pic at times almost seemed too dim, yet the bright stuff (such as in Copperhead's sunlit kitchen, or the fluorescent lights where the Pussy Wagon was garaged) was almost too bright! Weird! I thought I must have done very well to realize the potential of my dynamic range. However, today, I was thinking I wanted some of the people themselves to look a little brighter, ideal calibration be damned.

So, I played again with the DVE tonight, and replaying the chapter once again (since I already had to bust the disc out anyways to replay some sweeps causing buzzes with a speaker), I redid the contrast test. I think the way I did it last night was so that the last two black bars could be clearly discerned. However, tonight, I maxed contrast both ways, and I could always discern the difference, but just only barely sometimes.

I've since moved both the contrast and brightness both closer to zero a couple of notches. I ran some of the demo stuff loaded on the DVE, but I hope to watch some film before I retire tonight, and the verdict is still out. I dunno, thought I'd share.

How bout you? :D

I've been swamped with work all week and have not had a chance to do anything. I'm hoping to work with it this weekend but I still have a few deadlines to meet.

Thanks a ton for sharing this. Especially the comments on how you set the black bars. With the S&M:) disk you are supposed to be able to barely see the black bar 17 and the others should be visible. When I tried the settings from AVS I was able to discern the difference but like I said it was washed out. I'm hoping to bring both numbers closer to zero and get better blacks while still maintaining the shadow detail.

I will let you know what my results are and please let me know anything else you change or find. Thanks!

[adk highlander]

Last night I spend another couple of hours tweaking the system.

I ran Audyssey now that I have the carpet, sub in front wall and second sub behind the seating. So the front sub is in the front left and the second is in the back right. This was listed as a good position setup from Gene's article (http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/get-good-bass/subwoofer-connection-guide). After I installed the front sub my wife assumed the second one would go. It is funny how making a comment like "but honey it evens out the rooms bass response" just does not fly with most women.:rolleyes: After I played a couple of test scene's she relented, at least for now.

I did 3 positions and am happy with the results. At first I thought it seemed muted or I was getting a canceling effect from both subs but after watching a couple of movies and some music I think it is tighter than before and more responsive to tempo changes. It still has the output to scare you but during lower volume it is much better than before.

I also went through the Spears & Munsil disk for the 4th or 5th time and I think I have come up with the best I can. This time I started with the PLUGE Low pattern and then went to the Contrast pattern and that really seemed to help get the contrast and brightness settings more to my liking and very close to the recommended output. So now my contrast is at -14 and brightness is at 6 vs. -20 and 14. I also went through the color patterns and did some minor tweaks.

I then tossed in Underworld Rise of the Lycans (as that is a very dark movie) and now I do feel I am getting the most out of my projector/screen combo. I don't think I have the shadow detail that some other high end projectors offer but the black levels are quite good and the detail is very good.

I think my next steps in gear is going to be a DCX to really tweak the subs as they are quite different. I want/need a few panels for the theater but really I need to add them to the stairs coming down. The carpet has calmed that area down but I can still hear a slap echo when running test tones during Audyssey. So I need some wall pannels and something on the ceiling. A: I don't know how I can get up there to install it and B: the wife may not go for that one.

[nibhaz]

Last night I spend another couple of hours tweaking the system.

I ran Audyssey now that I have the carpet, sub in front wall and second sub behind the seating. So the front sub is in the front left and the second is in the back right. This was listed as a good position setup from Gene's article (http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/get-good-bass/subwoofer-connection-guide). After I installed the front sub my wife assumed the second one would go. It is funny how making a comment like "but honey it evens out the rooms bass response" just does not fly with most women.:rolleyes: After I played a couple of test scene's she relented, at least for now.

I did 3 positions and am happy with the results. At first I thought it seemed muted or I was getting a canceling effect from both subs but after watching a couple of movies and some music I think it is tighter than before and more responsive to tempo changes. It still has the output to scare you but during lower volume it is much better than before.

I also went through the Spears & Munsil disk for the 4th or 5th time and I think I have come up with the best I can. This time I started with the PLUGE Low pattern and then went to the Contrast pattern and that really seemed to help get the contrast and brightness settings more to my liking and very close to the recommended output. So now my contrast is at -14 and brightness is at 6 vs. -20 and 14. I also went through the color patterns and did some minor tweaks.

I then tossed in Underworld Rise of the Lycans (as that is a very dark movie) and now I do feel I am getting the most out of my projector/screen combo. I don't think I have the shadow detail that some other high end projectors offer but the black levels are quite good and the detail is very good.

I think my next steps in gear is going to be a DCX to really tweak the subs as they are quite different. I want/need a few panels for the theater but really I need to add them to the stairs coming down. The carpet has calmed that area down but I can still hear a slap echo when running test tones during Audyssey. So I need some wall pannels and something on the ceiling. A: I don't know how I can get up there to install it and B: the wife may not go for that one.

Craig,

Audyssey is by no means a panacea for room/speaker interactions, but it can defiantly help. I think you are leaving some chips on the table if you only take 3 samples instead the 8 MultEQ-XT allows. The more samples that you take the more information Audyssey has to build a better picture of your room’s interactions and thusly it should be able to create a better EQ for your room. In my experience, the flatter your room’s response is to start with the better job Audyssey does. And your method of taking samples affects the final EQ that it builds. You’ll get the best results if you use a tripod and have zero background noise…no HVAC, no cars driving, no fridge, and no nothing! It can’t hurt to try to maximize your Pre/Pro’s capabilities until you get a DCX to handle the Subs.

Here is the patteren I used on my last run:
http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/33425/2487914070085003650S600x600Q85.jpg (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2487914070085003650Qwmywq)

If you still have echo slap than you probably need some treatments. I’m sure you know the mantra: 1st reflections, then corners, then everywhere else you can get away with before your budget breaks or you get kicked out of the house by the wife.

Your drop ceiling provides you with the some options depending on the tile that you already have in there and the amount of air gap you have above it. In order to treat the first reflection points located on the ceiling, you can just create a few new ceiling panels mad out of OC 703 covered in acoustically transparent material and drop them into the grid in lieu of the regular tile. If you have 18” of air gap and OC based acoustic tiles up there already, you could fill this area with R30 insulation and get some good absorption down to 50 Hz.

Check out this demo this guy did of before and after treatments. (Headphones help)

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LTAtp7CUIvs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LTAtp7CUIvs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>



Cheers,
Ryan

[jostenmeat]

I also went through the Spears & Munsil disk for the 4th or 5th time and I think I have come up with the best I can. This time I started with the PLUGE Low pattern and then went to the Contrast pattern and that really seemed to help get the contrast and brightness settings more to my liking and very close to the recommended output. So now my contrast is at -14 and brightness is at 6 vs. -20 and 14. I also went through the color patterns and did some minor tweaks.

I then tossed in Underworld Rise of the Lycans (as that is a very dark movie) and now I do feel I am getting the most out of my projector/screen combo. I don't think I have the shadow detail that some other high end projectors offer but the black levels are quite good and the detail is very good.

Thanks for sharing, and I'm glad to hear you've made a happy improvement. I am also extremely pleased with my pic right now. I think if I met Spielberg today, I would exclaim, "You've got to see my HT, it has the greatest pic EVAH!". To which he would certainly respond by slapping my smartly across the face, and yelling, "Get a hold of yourself, young man!".

Ok, I still have a tad of green push, only noticeable on the outskirts of a face every once in a while, depending on how the lighting hits it. There is absolutely nothing I can do about that outside of a new PJ, or a $4500 video processor with CMS.

Since the re-cal, Terminator Salvation looked stupendous. The first half of Amadeus last night was a real, serious treat. The latter is definitely not reference material to some, and even before reading about it, I could note elements of DNR. Still, my viewing last night blew away any other viewing of this movie before, for me. A very beautiful presentation, with or without the DNR.

As the narration commences (via conversation with priest and Salieri), there was bright white light coming through the window behind the composer, onto the priest's face. It created a stark silhouette of Salieri's face. The effect was very pronounced, yet seemed perfect to me. Very effective. I am very happy with the overall contrast and brightness now.

[adk highlander]

Craig,

Audyssey is by no means a panacea for room/speaker interactions, but it can defiantly help. I think you are leaving some chips on the table if you only take 3 samples instead the 8 MultEQ-XT allows. The more samples that you take the more information Audyssey has to build a better picture of your room’s interactions and thusly it should be able to create a better EQ for your room. In my experience, the flatter your room’s response is to start with the better job Audyssey does. And your method of taking samples affects the final EQ that it builds. You’ll get the best results if you use a tripod and have zero background noise…no HVAC, no cars driving, no fridge, and no nothing! It can’t hurt to try to maximize your Pre/Pro’s capabilities until you get a DCX to handle the Subs.

Here is the patteren I used on my last run:
http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/33425/2487914070085003650S600x600Q85.jpg (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2487914070085003650Qwmywq)

If you still have echo slap than you probably need some treatments. I’m sure you know the mantra: 1st reflections, then corners, then everywhere else you can get away with before your budget breaks or you get kicked out of the house by the wife.

Your drop ceiling provides you with the some options depending on the tile that you already have in there and the amount of air gap you have above it. In order to treat the first reflection points located on the ceiling, you can just create a few new ceiling panels mad out of OC 703 covered in acoustically transparent material and drop them into the grid in lieu of the regular tile. If you have 18” of air gap and OC based acoustic tiles up there already, you could fill this area with R30 insulation and get some good absorption down to 50 Hz.

Check out this demo this guy did of before and after treatments. (Headphones help)

Cheers,
Ryan

Excellent info. Thanks Ryan.

I have run more positions in the past and I was not as happy with the results as I was with just three positions. I do always use a tripod and make sure it is quiet as possible. I turn off the furnace and the hot water system so nothing can kick on if someone turns on the tap. You have me thinking though and I will attempt more positions and see what I get. Now I just have to wait until both the wife and kid will give me an hour and promise to stay out.

I should have explained better about the echo. That is coming from the stairwell coming down to the theater. It is all dry wall and from the floor landing to the ceiling is 20+ feet. The only absorption is the carpet and heavy curtains I use to close off the area. I know I will need to put a few panels on the wall and something on the ceiling to calm this down. I'm supposed to get some framed posters for Christmas which I will mix with panels coming down the stairs.

The drop ceiling in the theater has the highest sound absorption rating I could find and there is R30 above it in the joist area. The slap definitely is coming from the high ceiling in the stairwell.

Very cool video. Geesh now I want test gear so I can do that. I know he did it with a mic but I don't have anything so if I'm going to spend money I want to do it the best I can. Then I could test some friends rooms and charge them.:)

Thanks for sharing, and I'm glad to hear you've made a happy improvement. I am also extremely pleased with my pic right now. I think if I met Spielberg today, I would exclaim, "You've got to see my HT, it has the greatest pic EVAH!". To which he would certainly respond by slapping my smartly across the face, and yelling, "Get a hold of yourself, young man!".

Ok, I still have a tad of green push, only noticeable on the outskirts of a face every once in a while, depending on how the lighting hits it. There is absolutely nothing I can do about that outside of a new PJ, or a $4500 video processor with CMS.

Since the re-cal, Terminator Salvation looked stupendous. The first half of Amadeus last night was a real, serious treat. The latter is definitely not reference material to some, and even before reading about it, I could note elements of DNR. Still, my viewing last night blew away any other viewing of this movie before, for me. A very beautiful presentation, with or without the DNR.

As the narration commences (via conversation with priest and Salieri), there was bright white light coming through the window behind the composer, onto the priest's face. It created a stark silhouette of Salieri's face. The effect was very pronounced, yet seemed perfect to me. Very effective. I am very happy with the overall contrast and brightness now.

I have not seen Amadeus in years. I'll have to try and find it. I don't know how I could expect more from a $1500 projector and I just need to try and enjoy it and not look for faults.

Some friends brought over a ski movie called Steep on sat that is a history of big mountain skiing not just a music video of guys hucking off kickers. The sad part is half of the guys in the video are dead from a variety of accidents and it really makes you see how truly scary the stuff these guys do is. The video was shot with a variety of sources and of varying quality but the best part was the reaction of my friends not having seen something like this on a big screen. This was before my last calibration but I dont' think they noticed. I just had fun listening to them go oh and ahh.:D

[rmk]

Good stuff here fellas,

I like to run Audyssey 8 positions within a 6'X3' rectangle or smaller. Results have been pretty good of late.

I used the DVE bluray for display calibration and like you concentrated on the pluge patterns, contrast and brightness. Blacks are at their inkiest:p.

[nibhaz]

Excellent info. Thanks Ryan.

I have run more positions in the past and I was not as happy with the results as I was with just three positions. I do always use a tripod and make sure it is quiet as possible. I turn off the furnace and the hot water system so nothing can kick on if someone turns on the tap. You have me thinking though and I will attempt more positions and see what I get. Now I just have to wait until both the wife and kid will give me an hour and promise to stay out.

I should have explained better about the echo. That is coming from the stairwell coming down to the theater. It is all dry wall and from the floor landing to the ceiling is 20+ feet. The only absorption is the carpet and heavy curtains I use to close off the area. I know I will need to put a few panels on the wall and something on the ceiling to calm this down. I'm supposed to get some framed posters for Christmas which I will mix with panels coming down the stairs.

The drop ceiling in the theater has the highest sound absorption rating I could find and there is R30 above it in the joist area. The slap definitely is coming from the high ceiling in the stairwell.


Craig,

Yeah, Audyssey seems to be kind of finicky like that and it can be hard to find a large window of quite time…which is why I think it produces different results with each run. Just keep in mind that the closer the sample points the tighter LP will be, but at the same time the more accurate the EQ will be for the smaller LP, does that make sense?

Your plan to hang panels and other irregular surface in the stair well is an excellent plan of attack. In my personal experience, just hanging a lot of art/decorations, that break up the wall's flat surface go a very long way in reducing echo slap. IMHO the more three dimensional the wall hanging the better the ROI because they will create more diffusion.

This also a great way to get the wife on board, because you can have her pick out the decorations, after you explain that you are looking for more 3D type wall hangings. (Shelves, elaborate wrought iron candle holders, cubby boxes for holding knick knacks, pictures with unusually thick frames or shadow boxes…etc.)

I would still consider putting OC 703 panels at the first reflections points located on the ceiling, but otherwise I would consider the ceiling a low priority item at this point. Just keep in mind that you do have an opportunity for some serious bass absorption if you choose to stuff a thick layer of r30 above your tiles.

Things look like they are turning out great! Enjoy your work and don’t get too hung up on the details! :p

[adk highlander]

Good stuff here fellas,

I like to run Audyssey 8 positions within a 6'X3' rectangle or smaller. Results have been pretty good of late.

I used the DVE bluray for display calibration and like you concentrated on the pluge patterns, contrast and brightness. Blacks are at their inkiest:p.

Thanks RMK. So to make sure I understand you did not take any measurements from your back row of seating? Did you vary your height of the mic in these different postions?


Here is the patteren I used on my last run:
http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/33425/2487914070085003650S600x600Q85.jpg (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2487914070085003650Qwmywq)

Yeah, Audyssey seems to be kind of finicky like that and it can be hard to find a large window of quite time…which is why I think it produces different results with each run. Just keep in mind that the closer the sample points the tighter LP will be, but at the same time the more accurate the EQ will be for the smaller LP, does that make sense?


Thanks again for this. So you put your outer two positons at the edge of those seating positons but at ear height? This makes sense. When I was doing my earlier measurements with 6+ positions I had the spread out to all my possible seating positions so my rectangle was more like 8 x 6.

Craig,


Your plan to hang panels and other irregular surface in the stair well is an excellent plan of attack. In my personal experience, just hanging a lot of art/decorations, that break up the wall's flat surface go a very long way in reducing echo slap. IMHO the more three dimensional the wall hanging the better the ROI because they will create more diffusion.

This also a great way to get the wife on board, because you can have her pick out the decorations, after you explain that you are looking for more 3D type wall hangings. (Shelves, elaborate wrought iron candle holders, cubby boxes for holding knick knacks, pictures with unusually thick frames or shadow boxes…etc.)

I would still consider putting OC 703 panels at the first reflections points located on the ceiling, but otherwise I would consider the ceiling a low priority item at this point. Just keep in mind that you do have an opportunity for some serious bass absorption if you choose to stuff a thick layer of r30 above your tiles.

Things look like they are turning out great! Enjoy your work and don’t get too hung up on the details! :p

The shelves and 3d hangings is a good idea. I had not thought of doing more than panels and pictures but you are right. I'll give her some cash and send her to TJ Max and see what she can find.

I'm up in the air as to wheather I want to build my own panels or just buy some. Now that winter has hit:D I don't have any work space and I am not cutting that stuff in the house. I did find these (http://cgi.ebay.com/ATS-Acoustic-Panels-for-Home-Theater-or-Sound-Studio_W0QQitemZ220524376846QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_ DefaultDomain_0?hash=item335846f30e) on ebay and I doubt I could do them cheaper per panel. What kind of panels do you have?

[rmk]

Thanks RMK. So to make sure I understand you did not take any measurements from your back row of seating? Did you vary your height of the mic in these different postions?

I did three positions centered on the three front row seats at ear height, three more 18" in front of these measurements (same height) and the final two were 12" either side of the center seat (1st measurement position) but 18" behind and 6" higher. I took no measurements from the back row seats.

When I had the Audyssey Pro Kit I did 18 measurements including the back row seat locations. I actually prefer the results of the 8 point MultEQ XT to the Pro Kit results.

A fellow hobbyist suggested making all 8 Audyssey measurements in a small circle around the primary LP. I haven't tried that yet but it would be interesting to try.

[nibhaz]

Thanks again for this. So you put your outer two positons at the edge of those seating positons but at ear height? This makes sense. When I was doing my earlier measurements with 6+ positions I had the spread out to all my possible seating positions so my rectangle was more like 8 x 6.

In the simplest of terms, Audyssey looks at all of the various sampling points, and then using algorithms decides which information is most pertinent to creating the EQ. In other words, the more correlations there are in FR between the samples, the more heavily Audyssey weighs this info, whilst major anomalies and differences are give less weighting in building the final EQ. I know that there are FR differences in the vertical plane in my room so that is why I varied the height of some of my samples. 25% up, 25% down, and 50% ear level…I don’t know it just seems logical to me:o



The shelves and 3d hangings is a good idea. I had not thought of doing more than panels and pictures but you are right. I'll give her some cash and send her to TJ Max and see what she can find.

TJ Maxx is an excellent source for this type of stuff! Other options depending on what is in you area are: Gordman’s and Hobby Lobby. What wife doesn’t like to be sent shopping?
;)


I'm up in the air as to wheather I want to build my own panels or just buy some. Now that winter has hit:D I don't have any work space and I am not cutting that stuff in the house. I did find these (http://cgi.ebay.com/ATS-Acoustic-Panels-for-Home-Theater-or-Sound-Studio_W0QQitemZ220524376846QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_ DefaultDomain_0?hash=item335846f30e) on ebay and I doubt I could do them cheaper per panel. What kind of panels do you have?

I have DIY panels that I built using this method.

<object style="height: 344px; width: 425px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iyYUpkpL0gw"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iyYUpkpL0gw" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></object>

Depending on the quality of wood, type of fabric, tools on hand, and the price you pay for insulation you can make a 4” panel that performs much better than the 2”ATS panels for about the same price. Put a 2” air gap behind the DIY and it will smoke the ATS.

I have 10 sheets of 2” 703 sitting in my garage right now and the plan is to buy some of these (http://www.readyacoustics.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=26_11_2&products_id=4&zenid=7a2d575b6a83b6ee5bcca6617c440bf8) to put them in. I paid around $8 each for my sheets of 703 so that means that my final cost for each 4” panel will be around $43…slightly more than my DIYs, but a lot less work. When factoring in convenience, price, and performance I am not sure that this route can be beat!


Man I am long winded:p

[adk highlander]

Thanks again Ryan. I really have to do work tonight so I can't be hanging out here tonight.:( I will check out the vid later and I'll have to stop at Lowes when I'm doing Christmas shopping this weekend and check out prices on the 703.

Cheers.

[nibhaz]

Craig,

There is a good chance that you won’t find rigid fiberglass at a big box store, and if you ask about it, the sales people won’t know what it is or if they can get it.

Being the super nice guy that I am (bored at work) I compiled a list of locations in your area that will carry OC 703 or its equivalent.

These first three are probably a little over 5hrs away, but most definitely can get you OC 703 at a very reasonable price.

SPI (http://www.spi-co.com/index.html)

Address:
6439 Deere Road
Syracuse, NY
USA, 13206
Main Phone: (315) 474-5190
Fax: (315) 474-7319
Email: syracuse@spi-co.com

Address:
14 Sword Street
Auburn, MA
USA, 01501-2181
Main Phone: (508) 792-1133
Fax: (508) 753-7145

Roofing & Insulation Supply/RIS Insulation Supply (http://www.risris.com/)

Address:
10 C Street
Suite 15B
Auburn, MA 01501
(p) 508/767.3800
(p) 866/777.4361
(f) 508/767.3803


These two are probably the closest at a little over 2hours away.


Wallboard Supply Company (http://www.wallboardsupplyco.com/index.html)
121 Commerce St.
P. O. Box 1432
Williston, VT 05495
Phone: (802) 863-8897
Fax: (802) 863-8898

They carry Knauf (http://www.knaufinsulation.us/products/commercial__industrial/air_handling_insulation/knauf_insulation_board.aspx)

You’d be looking for Insulation Board Plain 2" 3.0 PCF (48 kg/m3)


JR Builders Supply Corp (http://jrbuildersalbany.com/)
117 Karner Road,
Albany, NY 12205
Main Phone: (518) 456-1771
Fax: (518) 456-0997

They carry CertainTeed (http://www.certainteed.com/products/insulation/fiber-glass-insulation/board-products) ( I think)

You’d be looking for 24”x 48”x2” CB 300 or OEM 300

Keep in mind I’m just pointing you towards rigid fiberglass because it is the easiest to work with. The main spec that you should be concerned with is a density of 3.0 PCF (48 kg/m3). This seems to be the sweet spot for price and performance in fiberglass.

[adk highlander]

Wow Ryan you are the man. I'm sorry I didn't reply earlier. I've been cranking at work all week. I will rep you as soon as I can. I need to spread some around before I can hit you again.

Have you posted pics of your setup? I'd really like to see your panels installed.

Thanks again man and I hope you and your family have a great Holiday.

[nibhaz]

Hey Craig,

It was actually no problem at all, a little time consuming, but better than actually doing real work. I enjoy doing this type of information gathering.

The main advantages to going the DIY route are custom sizing and fabric selection. Involving the wife in the fabric selection and planning process will greatly enhance your chances of producing a product with some WAF. I can tell you from my experience that you should buy the fabric with your wife…cell phone pictures while she is out of town may produce mixed results.

Here are some pictures of the panels I’ve made.

This was the first panel I made and my favorite, but the pattern is a little too crazy to have all over the place. Total thickness is about 4” (2” of OC 705 + 1”x2” wood frame) I put little rubber “feet” on the back to ensure that the air gap is 2” because the 1”x2” isn’t truly 2”.


http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/44704/2243833850085003650S425x425Q85.jpg (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2243833850085003650wEEDzC)

http://inlinethumb24.webshots.com/471/2391771780085003650S425x425Q85.jpg (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2391771780085003650hiFWeq)




Here is the backside, as you can plainly see I wasn’t too concerned about how finished it looked.


http://inlinethumb31.webshots.com/45534/2976092050085003650S500x500Q85.jpg (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2976092050085003650YBkfMb)




Here is the mounting method I used: Heavy duty picture hangers and wire.


http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/42850/2761598350085003650S600x600Q85.jpg (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2761598350085003650vyPjIW)




View of the wood frame. I glued and screwed each joint, and further reinforced each corner with small L brackets.


http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/45213/2727518470085003650S600x600Q85.jpg (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2727518470085003650NYlADA)




This is what a 6” panel looks like coming off the wall. The handrail from the stairs should give you a good frame of reference. (Warning: panels of this size can be shocking to female types when built and hung in there absences)


http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/42319/2596752300085003650S500x500Q85.jpg (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2596752300085003650yQOEeI)




All three 6” panels on the back wall. Takes a little getting used to having something that thick protrude into the room, but it now seems perfectly normal to me…house guest still probably think I’m crazy. In hindsight, I probably would have gone with one patterned panel and two plain panels…but hey, I’m no interior decorator.


http://inlinethumb15.webshots.com/46030/2926725240085003650S425x425Q85.jpg (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2926725240085003650QJfPBw)




Here is the real advantage of DIY: Custom sizing. This panel is for my right side 1st reflection point. Limited space…no problem! Actually sitting in the love seat you can hear the difference…an eerie lack of audible reflections, but that seat is for guest only, so I don’t mind at all.:D


http://inlinethumb03.webshots.com/36610/2431589110085003650S425x425Q85.jpg (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2431589110085003650CRVpiG)




P.S. I hope you and your family have a great holiday as well!

P.S.S. Keep in mind that this is just one of the many ways to build a panel. If you like the look of GIK panels with the wood sides that would be a really easy build as well, but you’d be increasing the cost and weight of each panel due to more wood… :)

[Alex2507]

I've been cranking at work all week.

You and poor Adam, slaving away ... and all the rest of the guys who post from work. :p :)

I will rep you as soon as I can.

I repped him for that too. I was back and forth with the emails to Owens Corning trying to find people who just had the 700 series. I wanted so little of it that I figured that even if they didn't sell to the public that I could make some sort of arrangements based on simian-human diplomacy. Like how can you not let the monkey have a little freakin' insulation?

It took me over a year to find a place that had it ... a 1/2 mile from home ... and they just gave me about a bag of loose pieces that they had kicking around. :confused:

Now it's sitting in storage ... :rolleyes: :(

[cmchen0]

It looks nice!!!

[adk highlander]

My new ATI AT2005 amp arrived today. At a 92lbs. shipping weight I was a bit worried and FedEx destroyed the outer box. Fortunately all is well with the inner box and the amp itself. It was funny at first I thought wow I've never had a package arrive with the box looking so good.:rolleyes:

Here are some pics:

Front
http://indianrockconsulting.com/ht/atifront.jpg

Back
http://indianrockconsulting.com/ht/atirear.jpg

It is a 200wpc modular design fully balanced Class A/B amp. It is also made in the USA. I will be adding a 2 channel model just like this so I can go back to 7.1. A nice touch is it came with a trigger cable. It does not sound any different than the MPS-1 it replaces (which I'll be selling:)) not that it should.

I'm off to go do some x-country skiing and drinking.:D

[ParadigmDawg]

Love the looks of it.

Hold up and I will met you for skiing and drinking. Sounds like fun.My new ATI AT2005 amp arrived today. At a 92lbs. shipping weight I was a bit worried and FedEx destroyed the outer box. Fortunately all is well with the inner box and the amp itself. It was funny at first I thought wow I've never had a package arrive with the box looking so good.:rolleyes:

Here are some pics:

Front
http://indianrockconsulting.com/ht/atifront.jpg

Back
http://indianrockconsulting.com/ht/atirear.jpg

It is a 200wpc modular design fully balanced Class A/B amp. It is also made in the USA. I will be adding a 2 channel model just like this so I can go back to 7.1. A nice touch is it came with a trigger cable. It does not sound any different than the MPS-1 it replaces (which I'll be selling:)) not that it should.

I'm off to go do some x-country skiing and drinking.:D

[jostenmeat]

I love the industrial look. I know you said "shipping" weight, but holy cow that is a heavy beast, and I thought my NAD was heavy, pushing 70 lbs or so.

I'm off to go do some x-country skiing and drinking.:D

Do you use something like this? :p

http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/photos/forum/Skiffybob/2009-05-16_143034_beer-hat.jpg

[ParadigmDawg]

No man, we had something like that but then Chris said a DIY set up would be better and cost less so we had him design one.



Do you use something like this? :p

http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/photos/forum/Skiffybob/2009-05-16_143034_beer-hat.jpg

[bandphan]

Craig, enjoy the new gear:D I know about weight(innuendo) My 2ch weighs in over 110#:eek: oVER BUILD IS GREAT

[adk highlander]

Love the looks of it.

Hold up and I will met you for skiing and drinking. Sounds like fun.

It was a good time. We only skied 5 miles or so but built a fire and had a few beers. Snow was a bit crusty and I broke trail so I got a little workout.

I love the industrial look. I know you said "shipping" weight, but holy cow that is a heavy beast, and I thought my NAD was heavy, pushing 70 lbs or so.

Thanks Josten I'm really digging the look as well. It is very well built. All the wiring inside is super clean. When the two channel one comes in I will try and pull the cover and take some pics.


Do you use something like this? :p

http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/photos/forum/Skiffybob/2009-05-16_143034_beer-hat.jpg

Close but I prefer PBR cans.:D

Craig, enjoy the new gear:D I know about weight(innuendo) My 2ch weighs in over 110#:eek: oVER BUILD IS GREAT

Thanks Scott I will. The mac gear is super nice but I don't think I ready to go there yet.:)

[anamorphic96]

Does the amp have enough clearance to breathe with the other componet on top ? Nice amp though. ATI makes some the best amps in the business.

[STRONGBADF1]

Now I want an amp!:mad: Nice looking piece of gear.:cool:



It was a good time. I broke trail so I got a little workout.

Funny, that's what Alex calls it too.;):D

[adk highlander]

Does the amp have enough clearance to breathe with the other componet on top ? Nice amp though. ATI makes some the best amps in the business.

Thanks. I swapped some gear around and put the fireball on top of the amp for now. My wife does not notice if the correct number of "black boxes" are in the rack so while I am waiting for the AT2002 to arrive I will leave it there.:rolleyes:

Now I want an amp!:mad: Nice looking piece of gear.:cool:






Funny, that's what Alex calls it too.;):D

Thanks Doug. You can blame this on Acudeftech starting the ATI thread. I really wanted the 300wpc model but the extra money and the size of my room would not have made it a smart purchase.

Alex can only be in so many places at once so I had to cover for him.

[STRONGBADF1]

Thanks. I swapped some gear around and put the fireball on top of the amp for now. My wife does not notice if the correct number of "black boxes" are in the rack so while I am waiting for the AT2002 to arrive I will leave it there.:rolleyes:



Thanks Doug. You can blame this on Acudeftech starting the ATI thread. I really wanted the 300wpc model but the extra money and the size of my room would not have made it a smart purchase.

Alex can only be in so many places at once so I had to cover for him.

You're the wind beneath Alex's wings.:D

[AcuDefTechGuy]

That looks SWEET!:D

Were did you get those Balanced Connectors? They look nice too. I love the colors on them as well.:D

[adk highlander]

Thank you. I got them from a guy on ebay. They use Canare Star quad cable with Neutrik connectors. Yes the colors make it easier to figure out which wire is which. I've had them for a couple years. I think I paid around $110 for the set of seven.

[croseiv]

Nice looking amp and organized too.

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yeah, my next house must have those built-in wall racks!!!:)

[GlocksRock]

Very nice! How much will you be selling your MPS-1 for?

[adk highlander]

Thanks Glock.

I'm hoping to get $1300 for it. I have sent it back to Emotiva because one channel would not always turn off using the trigger. They said it was a minor fix and I should have it back next week. Once I have it back I will put up with photos here. If someone here gives me my asking price I will split the shipping which will be expensive due to its weight and the multiple boxes.

[ParadigmDawg]

I may be willing to chip in half the price of the Emo if you will video yourself lighting it on fire and then trowing it down the mountain.

Ok, I really want to do an audio closet like yours. Do you have any vacation time, that you would like to use up, on a trip to Texas?Thanks Glock.

I'm hoping to get $1300 for it. I have sent it back to Emotiva because one channel would not always turn off using the trigger. They said it was a minor fix and I should have it back next week. Once I have it back I will put up with photos here. If someone here gives me my asking price I will split the shipping which will be expensive due to its weight and the multiple boxes.

[adk highlander]

We did shoot some video yesterday but the visibility was so bad it did not turn out. Now if we would have lit ourselves on fire that may have worked better. Where were you yesterday with this idea. Although even with my flask and 80 proof I don't kow if it would have lit in the storm.:D

Lets talk vacation after the snow melts.:)

[rmk]

My new ATI AT2005 amp arrived today. At a 92lbs. shipping weight I was a bit worried and FedEx destroyed the outer box. Fortunately all is well with the inner box and the amp itself. It was funny at first I thought wow I've never had a package arrive with the box looking so good.:rolleyes:

Here are some pics:

Front
http://indianrockconsulting.com/ht/atifront.jpg

Back
http://indianrockconsulting.com/ht/atirear.jpg

It is a 200wpc modular design fully balanced Class A/B amp. It is also made in the USA. I will be adding a 2 channel model just like this so I can go back to 7.1. A nice touch is it came with a trigger cable. It does not sound any different than the MPS-1 it replaces (which I'll be selling:)) not that it should.

I'm off to go do some x-country skiing and drinking.:D

Dang .... that's some nice wire management.:cool:

Also, thanks for the refreshing honesty regarding your amp "upgrade". I made a similar lateral move from a Sunfire TGA7400 to a W4S 7 channel with no discernable difference in SQ or output. But my lighter wallet makes me so much more agile :p.

[adk highlander]

Dang .... that's some nice wire management.:cool:

Also, thanks for the refreshing honesty regarding your amp "upgrade". I made a similar lateral move from a Sunfire TGA7400 to a W4S 7 channel with no discernable difference in SQ or output. But my lighter wallet makes me so much more agile :p.

Thanks, yes the lighter wallet help my skiing this weekend.

I will say this about the ATI. It does have a lower noise floor than the MPS. Not that the MPS had alot of hiss but I could here it a bit when I was standing next to the speaker but this amp is dead quiet.:D So I guess that makes it worth the 2200+ that I spend.:rolleyes: