New Basement Home Theatre

[Slipkids88]

HI All,

Creating an open floor plan basement theater, about 1200 square ft. (5.1.2)

Basement is all foundation wall currently.

I am using roxul for installation as well as foam insulation boards in between studs with 5/8 thick sheet rock. (ceiling as well, ceiling is 7'9'' height)

All will be hard wired to a network. Can anyone tell me about wiring?

All electronic gear will be housed in a ventilated closet utility audio room with a dedicated circuit breaker 20 amps romex (3 perhaps)

Looking to create a home network in the basement for a computer internet , as well as ethernet connections throughout for system updates. The Router is on the second floor, and was wondering do I need a separate router, or how do i get the signal in the basement, (fios verizon). The incoming fios signal and hub box is located inside the garage, so from here, the plan is to bring the line from the box, and bore inside the garage foundation, and into the basement, hence setting up a sub panel. (also will use a power surge protector.

What cables to use and with all the gear listed below, is an additional amp be necessary?

What would the connections and your opinions be on the below, do i go with ethernet as well as i believe the majority of the gear is hooked up with HDMI.

Would i go for a gigi ethernet switch.?

Can I have an opinion on the below for a novice, with many questions to get this right the first time and cover all my bases.

TV - Sony 85 inch x900h on wall
Speakers- Kplish reference premium atmos speakers either 5.1 or 7.2.
marantz a/v
Turntable
Cd player
cd carousel
vcr dual deck - go video
nvidia shield pro
media streamer/ripper
cable box verizon fios
dvd player
cassette deck.
speaker wire
cable connection HDMI, Ethernet, svideo cable
universal remote or control 4

 

[MalVeauX]

Hi,

Well, only a few of your source items will even have an ethernet port for connection, maybe your AVR depending on which one and of course your nVidia Shield and whatever media streamer (though you've listed a lot of things that are just redundant to each other, but dunno if you are just wanting it that way or not). Nothing you've listed requires much speed, so standard Gigabit networking if going to be more than plenty for this. Depending on the ports from your garage router, you could send 2~3 ethernet cables down to the basement and just connect without an additional switch/hub/router. Or, you could get a switch and just extend your garage router down to another gigabit switch/router and then hook things in from there. The result is the same, you run a cable, the question is do you want 1 cable or 3 cables and do you want a router or do you want a no fuss no additional router setup.

So what are the actual dimensions of the room? What shape is it? Planning on single row or single seating or more? Is this huge ventilated rack going to be in this room too? If so, where? This room doesn't sound very large, so your listening distances from the speakers will likely be less than 10 feet, so your AVR will easily drive your speakers to 75db reference on 1 watt with room for headroom and transient peaks easily.

Are you totally sold on these Klipsch speakers? Are these the upfiring ones? I would really suggest you not go that route. Also, I wouldn't go 5.1.2, I would really stress going 5.X.4 for the longer haul so that you can have a more competent atmos experience. And I would suggest since you're building this, in-ceiling or on-ceiling speakers, not upfiring. Upfiring really is kind of a gimmick outside of a room perfectly built for the reflections to work (few, few are).

Also, I would suggest you plan on two subs, not one.

Are you open to other speakers?
Preferences to where you buy from?
Overall budget for speakers and budget for other components?
All in buy? Or over a period of time purchase and build?

Very best,

 

[-Jim-]

Hi Slipkids88,

I'm pretty much on board with the comments ValVeauX made above on the Audio, but as I'm a Electrician, with Electronics Technician training as well, maybe I'd approach some portions differently. (Yes, I can tell you about wiring). I build and repair Computers for Family and close friends as a hobby (as well as setup their networks), in addition to being a bit of nut for audio. I was a member of IEEE for over a decade working in the industrial arena (Mining & Petrochemical mostly) when I was at GE.

Anyway, first I'd invest in a "whole house surge protector", that will plug into the main panel. Hopefully you have a few spare locations available. Advise the name of the manufacturer of your breaker panel, if you need help here. You may be able to use the existing power fed into your basement and save the expense of installing a Sub Panel. Do you know how many circuits there are and what the present (and future) loads are in the basement?

Use Cat 6 ethernet LAN cables as it will "future proof" your installation for a while. Always advise the model numbers of the equipment you are discussing / proposing. I'm assuming Fios Router is the 3100 model. If that's not it the advice given may be wrong, and could change. The 3100 has Four Gigabit LAN ports. I'm assuming you have some of them occupied already or plan to in the future (please advise). I suggest you feed one downstairs to the "utility" room. There I'd put a Gig ethernet switch (Hub). They are almost all "plug & play" with no configuration needed. (These are also very inexpensive these days.) You don't need another router. From the it's a simple chore to hardwire to your local devices once you establish their locations.

Does the 1200 square foot area have an 8 foot ceiling? Can you show us a sketch of what your thoughts are for layout? Please answer all of ValVeauX questions as well.

I hope this is helpful.

 

[}Fear_Inoculum{]

Hi,

Well, only a few of your source items will even have an ethernet port for connection, maybe your AVR depending on which one and of course your nVidia Shield and whatever media streamer (though you've listed a lot of things that are just redundant to each other, but dunno if you are just wanting it that way or not). Nothing you've listed requires much speed, so standard Gigabit networking if going to be more than plenty for this. Depending on the ports from your garage router, you could send 2~3 ethernet cables down to the basement and just connect without an additional switch/hub/router. Or, you could get a switch and just extend your garage router down to another gigabit switch/router and then hook things in from there. The result is the same, you run a cable, the question is do you want 1 cable or 3 cables and do you want a router or do you want a no fuss no additional router setup.

So what are the actual dimensions of the room? What shape is it? Planning on single row or single seating or more? Is this huge ventilated rack going to be in this room too? If so, where? This room doesn't sound very large, so your listening distances from the speakers will likely be less than 10 feet, so your AVR will easily drive your speakers to 75db reference on 1 watt with room for headroom and transient peaks easily.

Are you totally sold on these Klipsch speakers? Are these the upfiring ones? I would really suggest you not go that route. Also, I wouldn't go 5.1.2, I would really stress going 5.X.4 for the longer haul so that you can have a more competent atmos experience. And I would suggest since you're building this, in-ceiling or on-ceiling speakers, not upfiring. Upfiring really is kind of a gimmick outside of a room perfectly built for the reflections to work (few, few are).

Also, I would suggest you plan on two subs, not one.

Are you open to other speakers?
Preferences to where you buy from?
Overall budget for speakers and budget for other components?
All in buy? Or over a period of time purchase and build?

Very best,

I can only assume you thought he said the room is 1200 cubic feet when you said it doesn't sound very large. Because a 1200 sq ft room with a 7'9" ceiling as TS describes is 9300 cubic feet. If that's not a large room, I'm not sure what is.

 

[MalVeauX]

I can only assume you thought he said the room is 1200 cubic feet when you said it doesn't sound very large. Because a 1200 sq ft room with a 7'9" ceiling as TS describes is 9300 cubic feet. If that's not a large room, I'm not sure what is.

Indeed, thought it was cubic, it's why I asked for clarification on actual dimensions as room shape and 3 dimensions is more important than the raw cubic feet. Thanks.

Very best,

 

[Slipkids88]

I am open to speakers, and still in research mode, as I was looking at the Focal Chora D3 as well as the kiplish 8060fa atamos. for a 7.1.2 set up.

This is an open floor plan, any suggestions on gear is greatly appreciated of course.
Im old school, and grew up in the 70's s so i have cds, vhs, albums, dvds, that I plan on playing in the future,
predomintaely classic rock, clapton, the who, stones, purple, etc. as well as a great concert dvd and movie collection. Attached are my architectual plans that will come to fruition, by summer's end. Just need
advice from you knoweledgable people out there. Currently i dont plan on hiring an av guy, and will work with my electrician when the time comes, but if he is not familiar, I will go by way of an av guy.

The basement is a 1200 square feet L shaped open basement, with 7'9" ceiling height.

Open for suggestions on the below

Marantz sr7015
TV - Sony 85 inch x900h on wall
Speakers- OPEN 7.1.2 Focal Chora D3 with svs subwoofers(2)
Turntable
Cd player (marantz cd6007)
Pioneer cd carousel - PD-F1007
VCR dual deck - go video (DDV 2120)
Nvidia shield pro
Bluesound vault 2i
cable box verizon fios
Blue ray dvd player - Panasonic DP UB9000
cassette deck.
speaker wire -
cable connection HDMI, Ethernet, svideo cable
universal remote or control 4
powered surge protectors

 

[}Fear_Inoculum{]

I am open to speakers, and still in research mode, as I was looking at the Focal Chora D3 as well as the kiplish 8060fa atamos. for a 7.1.2 set up.

This is an open floor plan, any suggestions on gear is greatly appreciated of course.
Im old school, and grew up in the 70's s so i have cds, vhs, albums, dvds, that I plan on playing in the future,
predomintaely classic rock, clapton, the who, stones, purple, etc. as well as a great concert dvd and movie collection. Attached are my architectual plans that will come to fruition, by summer's end. Just need
advice from you knoweledgable people out there. Currently i dont plan on hiring an av guy, and will work with my electrician when the time comes, but if he is not familiar, I will go by way of an av guy.

The basement is a 1200 square feet L shaped open basement, with 7'9" ceiling height.

Open for suggestions on the below

Marantz sr7015
TV - Sony 85 inch x900h on wall
Speakers- OPEN 7.1.2 Focal Chora D3 with svs subwoofers(2)
Turntable
Cd player (marantz cd6007)
Pioneer cd carousel - PD-F1007
VCR dual deck - go video (DDV 2120)
Nvidia shield pro
Bluesound vault 2i
cable box verizon fios
Blue ray dvd player - Panasonic DP UB9000
cassette deck.
speaker wire -
cable connection HDMI, Ethernet, svideo cable
universal remote or control 4
powered surge protectors

More of a rec room than a HT room (not that there is anything wrong with that).

I'm by no means an expert here, new to this myself, but I'd definitely listen to what @MalVeauX said and plan on 2 subwoofers, and .4 for Atmos (not .2) especially if it's still not built and you can easily do it.

 

[-Jim-]

I too missed the ceiling height as it wasn't with the square footage. (Sorry) I wouldn't recommend "bouncy" Atmos speakers. Go to some in-ceiling speakers, and better mains (LCR) as it seems most of your listening will be 2 channel (or synthesized surround) sound. Like ValVeauX said, there is a lot of equipment (Optical Disk Players) are just redundant to each other, but if you already have them, you may want to use them. Personally I streamlined my setups down to a single Blu-Ray player for optical disks, but each to their own. Other than speakers, are we to assume you have all of the other equipment in hand?

The drawings help but are very hard to read. Can you upload a bit better rendering? Or just the area where you want the HT setup. I'm assuming the TV (and front speakers - therefore anchoring the layout) is against the "right" wall with the door on bottom right side. Is your "ventilated closet utility audio room " behind that door? There is a Laundry room and Bathroom back to back in the drawing at the other end of the basement, so that pushes me to focus on this end of the basement. Please confirm where you think the TV should go. Is there to be a single row of primary seating or are you going to a more theater style with multiple rows?

I think the width of this section is about 18 feet. How far away from the TV wall (in feet) are you going to have seating? What are you concepts for the other area by where the stairs come down? Are you looking for sound over there?

Please advise. Thanks.

 

[Slipkids88]

The HT set up audio utility closet is to the left of the tv. The area to the right of the tv, is a gaming tv area using a soundbar. The HT wall is about 18 ft across. Ceiling height 7ft 9 in. The area where the stairs come down is a large u shaped pantry, and next to it, will be an aquarium. Next to that is an open office space.

 

[-Jim-]

Slipkids88, thanks for the reply but you left many unanswered questions. From above:

Preferences to where you buy from?
Overall budget for speakers and budget for other components?
All in buy? Or over a period of time purchase and build?
Do you know how many circuits there are and what the present (and future) loads are in the basement? (Perhaps just define the circuits near where the "ventilated closet utility audio room " is going to be located. We don't need to know Dryer, Washing machine, Furnace, etc.)
Other than speakers, are we to assume you have all of the other equipment in hand?
The drawings help but are very hard to read. Can you upload a bit better rendering?
Please confirm where you think the TV should go.
Is there to be a single row of primary seating or are you going to a more theater style with multiple rows?
How far away from the TV wall (in feet) are you going to have seating?
What are you concepts for the other area by where the stairs come down? Are you looking for sound over there?

We are trying to help but giving only half answers will get half baked replies or less. If you don't wish any further assistance, no problem.

 

[Slipkids88]

Thanks Jim, some of your queries were addressed in the prior response, on the rest of the layout, did u scroll down.
Speaker budget 4200
6k for the rest.
3 - 10a 20 dedicated circuits to the utility room.
Sectional seating.
25 ft from tv.
Surround sound speakers probably in ceiling not sure.

 

[-Jim-]

Slipkids88, thanks for the reply but I still have unanswered questions. I scrolled down on all of your replies.

Preferences to where you buy from? (Web based or Bricks & Mortar?)

All in buy? Or over a period of time purchase and build?

Other than speakers, are we to assume you have all of the other equipment in hand? Please tell us what you have now.

The drawings help but are very hard to read. Can you upload a bit better rendering?

Please confirm where you think the TV should go. (Was I right thinking the end wall opposite to the bathroom & Laundry? This still is not absolutely clear to me.)

"Surround sound speakers probably in ceiling" is not the way to go. These speakers need to be at near Ear Level (or above a bit) when seated. If you don't want surround speakers on stands, or mounted from the walls, you could go to in-wall speakers. Of course it would tend to move you towards a 5.2.4 Atmos setup which is not a bad thing with a single row seating.