Attic HT room project back in progress

[Soundman]

Hello All!
Some of you may be aware that I've been trying to convert a portion of the attic space in my new home into a HT. This is not an easy project and has been a long time coming. Unfortunately, due to the design of the home and the fact that we are dealing with attic space, the room is going to create some challenges, but I'll get into that later. First I'd like to share my excitement about it being mostly done. I know the HT room still has a long way to go, but let me just share how it is coming along so far. This will probably take me a couple years to get just right, but hey, it's all about the journey. Ok, to start out let's take a look at how it's coming, then I'll ask for some input, ideas, and suggestions on where to go from here:

Stairs going up into finished attic space:

Entryway at top of stairs:

turn corner into bathroom:

Storage room at left side of entry way:

Turn right at top of stairs. This is where I hope the HT will be:

Ok, now let's pause here for a couple minutes. This is the critical part. This room has some obvious challenges. It's an odd shaped room but there is no way around this because we are dealing with an attic space with room already set.Look carefully, and you will see that there are 8 corners in this room. Also, due to the angles, there may be some interesting reflection points. Another thing to note that unless you are an engineer, or someone beyond my math skills, it's going to be difficult to calculate the dimensions of the room. I can calculate the square footage of the room, but good luck calculating the cubic feet. Also, the room is not pre-wired for 2 reasons. First, I did not finish it and was not able to supervise this project. Secondly, I'm still no sure about placement, so I'm better off waiting, even though it will be more difficult. The main area is about 21ftx18ft, but there are 2 additional corners in the room, each measuring 6ftx6ft, so we're looking at about 450 squ ft. Again measuring the cubic feet is quite difficult because we are dealing with uneaven cealings/walls, meaning they are not the same height throughout the room. Ok, let's see some pics to give you a better idea of what I'm talking about. I'll post part 2 in just a few minutes.

 

[Soundman]

Part 2

Pic taken from doorway entering room:

Pic taken from about 2/3 the way from the front:

Back of television. This is one of the 6X6 foot corners. This may be used for sub placement or an equipment rack:

This area is just to the right of the television. The closet could be used for an equipment rack:

This area is the back of room (opposite side of where the TV is) and may be used for sub or equipment rack placement

Back right side wall/cealing

left back side wall/cealing

part 3 coming soon

 

[Soundman]

Part 3

front left side wall/cealing:

center front wall/ceiling:

right front wall/cealing:

pic taken from far side of entry into room:

Well, I hope these pics give a little better idea of what we are dealing with. Obviously, we have some issues to deal with. So, here's where I need your input. I know this room is far from ideal, but lets give it a shot. First, any ideas on the setup? I am debating the placement of my front soundstage (front or back of room?). Wiring may be a challenge as well. Sub placement? room treatments? equipment rack? decor? paint? As you can see, I'm open for any suggestions. I've been taking my time with this project to get it right. I'm hoping this room can work.

 

[jamie2112]

Looks like you have some adjusting to do. It is a cool space I don't know what I would do with it.I wish you the best I am sure that it will be sweet....

 

[mtrycrafts]

Well, I hope these pics give a little better idea of what we are dealing with. Obviously, we have some issues to deal with. So, here's where I need your input. I know this room is far from ideal, but lets give it a shot. First, any ideas on the setup? I am debating the placement of my front soundstage (front or back of room?). Wiring may be a challenge as well. Sub placement? room treatments? equipment rack? decor? paint? As you can see, I'm open for any suggestions. I've been taking my time with this project to get it right. I'm hoping this room can work.

Can you post a floor plan to scale with dimensions?

Not sure which would be better lengthwise or width.

 

[Soundman]

Can you post a floor plan to scale with dimensions?

Not sure which would be better lengthwise or width.

I did create a diagram, but I am unable to post it because the program I use does not have a JPeg format or something similar. Basically, I'm not able to link it up. If you have any ideas on how to get a diagram up, I'll get it up here so you can see it. Just let me know.

 

[Soundman]

but basically, you have a 6x6ft area on 2 sides of the room, one behind the TV and one on the opposite end from where the TV is. if you take out these 6x6 ft areas, you basically have a 21x18 ft room. Thanks.

 

[fast1]

are you trying to create more space or trying to make the best with what you got? any budget?

 

[mtrycrafts]

I did create a diagram, but I am unable to post it because the program I use does not have a JPeg format or something similar. Basically, I'm not able to link it up. If you have any ideas on how to get a diagram up, I'll get it up here so you can see it. Just let me know.

How did you upload the pictures? Can you scan the drawing, post it on something like photobucket and post an html code? That would display the drawing as a picture?

I would think to place the TV on your part 2, first picture with the window on that flat wall, in front of the window. How wide is that wall?

 

[Soundman]

are you trying to create more space or trying to make the best with what you got? any budget?

I don't really have a budget. This is a long term project. The main concern right now is system layout, dealing with the room acoustics, and wiring. That should get me started. I just don't want to go back and have to redo anything. I do understand this may require some trial and error.

 

[Soundman]

How did you upload the pictures? Can you scan the drawing, post it on something like photobucket and post an html code? That would display the drawing as a picture?

I would think to place the TV on your part 2, first picture with the window on that flat wall, in front of the window. How wide is that wall?

I am not able to upload the diagram as a picture. I tried Photobucket and that file type does not work. If you have any suggestions on how to get it to work (maybe a program or website), just let me know.

 

[Soundman]

I would think to place the TV on your part 2, first picture with the window on that flat wall, in front of the window. How wide is that wall?

The wall you are referring to in pic 1 of part 2 is approximately 18ft in length. Changing the layout to make that my front stage is an option. However, it is important to note that that is an exterior wall so wiring could be an issue.

 

[Soundman]

How did you upload the pictures? Can you scan the drawing, post it on something like photobucket and post an html code? That would display the drawing as a picture?

I would think to place the TV on your part 2, first picture with the window on that flat wall, in front of the window. How wide is that wall?

OK, this is the best I can do. The program I used will not let me scan or link it up with Photobucket. The only way I could get it to work is to take a picture of the diagram and, well... it is now a photo. I know it sounds cheesy, but it works. ...of course with an obvious loss of quality. I hope this helps.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Where is this wall? It looks like the perfect spot for your sound stage/PJ.

Pic taken from doorway entering room:

)

 

[Soundman]

Where is this wall? It looks like the perfect spot for your sound stage/PJ.

This picture was taken from the doorway, as you enter the room. That may work, but it is an exterior wall and since this is in an attic, I have concerns about wiring and cable management.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I don't see how any other wall will work well if you are going with a PJ.

Heck, no matter what, you will have a dedicated room and it will be awesome.

 

[Soundman]

I don't see how any other wall will work well if you are going with a PJ.

Heck, no matter what, you will have a dedicated room and it will be awesome.

Currently, I'm using s 65" DLP, but I may use a projector in the future. However, that would be a ways down the road. Right now I'm just getting things up and running. Of course, I suppose I should do it right the first time and plan for the future. The main concern is that this wall in reference is an exterior wall and the closet, is on the opposite end of the room. So assuming I use this for an AV rack, I'll need to figure out a way of getting it wired to that location properly.

 

[Soundman]

I don't see how any other wall will work well if you are going with a PJ.

Heck, no matter what, you will have a dedicated room and it will be awesome.

OK, if I move the front stage to your recommended location, this is how it would look:

As you can see, the closet is in the back. This probably works well for a projector system, if I can figure out how to get it wired back there since, again, we are dealing with an attic exterior wall. I'll have the same issue with my current TV or a projector.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

What kind of access do you have up top?

This would have been easier to run as you were building.

 

[Soundman]

What kind of access do you have up top?

This would have been easier to run as you were building.

Yes, it sure would have, but unfortunately it was out of my control. If I would have been the one who designed it from start to finish, then yes, it sure would have been easier. This was a foreclosure. The builder filed bankruptsy and I finished up where he left off. Unfortunately, it was mostly done before I acquired the property.

There isn't much access up top from that wall, but there is a way to go behind the walls from the sides to the back. There are access doors on the sides of the room.