Basement Theatre

[gholt]

OK Here is the theatre:

Speakers
L / R / C RBH T2P SE & T1SE (Center)
Surr & Rear RBH 61 SE
Blu-Ray Panny 605k
AVR Onkyo 702B
Amps Onkyou M-501 (2)
PJ Panny AX-200U
Screen Size 120" give or take a bit.
I guess I can't post pictures. If anyone know how to do this, let me know and I will post them.

 

[Adam]

Thanks for sharing!

Once you get five posts, you can put in links to pictures. I don't know if you need to have five posts to add attachments, but that's my guess.

 

[gholt]

Thanks, BTW how do the Emotiva amps sound. I have been thinking seriously of using them to power my RBH front speakers.

 

[Adam]

Thanks, BTW how do the Emotiva amps sound. I have been thinking seriously of using them to power my RBH front speakers.

I enjoy my RPA-1. The IPS-1 sounds fine in terms of amplification, but the transformers hum loud enough that I haven't been using it (although I recently took it apart and disconnected four of the amps to make it more quiet).

 

[Porschetech]

can't wait to see pics

 

[Yamaheart]

can't wait to see pics

me too.......

 

[gholt]

Pics of basement

OK, here is a link to the pictures.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30314447@N04/?saved=1

They are a few week old. So, I wil take a few more. If anyone has any advice on mounting the surrounds, put on wall, or on stand etc. would appreciate it.

Right now, the couch seems to wide and I have looked at theatre chairs and most of them are too wide if I go with three chairs. So, andy advice on chairs. as well would be appreciated.

 

[Davemcc]

You have the bones of an awesome theater. With just a little setup and design work, it can be anything you want it to be. A little paint, trim, curtains or whatever and you could create a fantastic theme room theater.

 

[gholt]

Updated Photos

Here are some updated photos. I have added speaker stands for the center and surrounds. I was hoping that suggestions could be offered on ways to fix the problem.

If you look at the picture now, the couch is about 7' 10' feet from the wall / screen. When I first had it hooked up, the couch was about 5' farther back. I like this position better as the screen isn't too close. It doesn't bother me to sit this close, but my wife doen't particullary like it.

The problem when the couch is sitting farther back is it blocks one of the closet doors. So, I'm not sure what to do. Also, I know I need to get the wall patch painted. I just have so many other projects that I need to get done with the remodel, that it is farther down on the list.

I would also like suggestions on whether or not to have a screen, or just paint the wall white with blue tint.

Also, for an update rack, I was considering getting one of those steel wire racks you can get at LOWEs / HD, has anyone had any experience with this.

Also, if you have any other suggestions, it would be much appreciated. Here are the pictures.

 

[AVRat]

You definitely want a screen. I suggest you scale down the screen size to accommodate your wife. What's the distance from eyeballs to screen?

 

[westcott]

There are some good articles on the internet that describe the ideal speaker placement and relative seating position to get the most out of your audio system.

Generally, you want your display and front speakers on a short wall. Your primary seating position about two thirds back into the room. Your front speakers should be as close to ear level as possible with as few obstacles as possible. Speakers should be pulled away from the wall. As far as one can get away with, not to exceed 1/3 of the way into the room. The left and right speaker should be of unequal distances from the display wall and the side walls.

Of course, a LOT of testing is recommended to get the flatest frequency response in the room. This starts with the subwoofer since it has the greatest impact on sound in the room. There are test audio discs and Radio Shack sound meters that will help you calibrate your audio system and test your subwoofer placement.

You can hang the rear surrounds from a stud, if you are lucky enough to find one in the right place but I suggest making some stands you can mount to the wall. Placement is really based on what design it is. Direct, BiPole or Dipole. Once determined, place accordingly. Once again, lots of good articles on the net for placement of the different designs.

Hope this helps and gives you an idea of what is involved to get the most out of your system. The tid bits I have provided only scratch the surface but if you are hungry for more info., there are a lot of knowledgable people on this site and on the internet that I am sure would be happy to help.

Good Luck and keep us posted on you progress.

 

[chris357]

how do you like those RBH speakers? what else have you owned to compare them to?

 

[gholt]

You definitely want a screen. I suggest you scale down the screen size to accommodate your wife. What's the distance from eyeballs to screen?

My wife just measured it and it is 8 feet.

 

[gholt]

how do you like those RBH speakers? what else have you owned to compare them to?

I think they are great. When I 1st had the system hooked up right and the kids were watching Bolt. During some of the openning scenes, I was upstairs, and my wife thought there was an earthquake, but after a bit when it kept happening, she realized it was the speakers. They sound amazing, especially for music, Jazz, classical, and of course heavy metal. (I don't think there is a speaker made than can sound bad with all the distortion.)

The only other speakers I have owned are a vitage Boston Acoustics A-150 for LRC and BA AVR-12 for Center. and their version bookshelf THX spearker.

So, there really isn't a comparision between the two. These are a complete different level. When I was listening to them at RBH's listening room and I told Roger Hassling what I had, he just laughed and said that what I had compared to the signature speakers is like comparing a Ford tempo to a Ferarri. They are in a totally different class. I agree. They are Amazing.

I am currently contemplating having them replace the drivers / crossover and update my T1s to the reference set. John Fenn @ RBH was not sure if I would notice much difference going from the signature to the reference, but he did say the tweeter was the biggest difference.

 

[gholt]

Generally, you want your display and front speakers on a short wall. Your primary seating position about two thirds back into the room. Your front speakers should be as close to ear level as possible with as few obstacles as possible. Speakers should be pulled away from the wall. As far as one can get away with, not to exceed 1/3 of the way into the room. The left and right speaker should be of unequal distances from the display wall and the side walls.

What do you mean that the display should be on a short wall, and what is a short wall?

The T1 are on top of the subs. So, about 2/3 of the speaker would be at ear level. They are about 1' - 2' ft away from the wall. 1/3 into the room would make it more difficult to navigate around the room.

There are test audio discs and Radio Shack sound meters that will help you calibrate your audio system and test your subwoofer placement.

I got an SPL meter, and set all the speakers at 75 db. I didn't do this with the subs. They are set at about 1/2 gain. Not too sure how to raise or lower them.

You can hang the rear surrounds from a stud, if you are lucky enough to find one in the right place, but I suggest making some stands you can mount to the wall. Placement is really based on what design it is. Direct, BiPole or Dipole. Once determined, place accordingly.

All the studs run parallel to the couch every 18", I think it woud be easier to make a shelf and mount it to the wall so I wouldn't have to drill through the speaker. How high shoud they be? At ear level, or cieling level. All the speakers are direct. After thinking, I maybe should have opted for 1 pair of dipoles rather than 2 pair of direct bookshelf.

 

[westcott]

What do you mean that the display should be on a short wall, and what is a short wall?

The T1 are on top of the subs. So, about 2/3 of the speaker would be at ear level. They are about 1' - 2' ft away from the wall. 1/3 into the room would make it more difficult to navigate around the room.

Ideally, your room should be a rectangle. So the short wall would be one of the shorter walls of a rectangular room. Remember, these are ideal criteria and generalizations.


I got an SPL meter, and set all the speakers at 75 db. I didn't do this with the subs. They are set at about 1/2 gain. Not too sure how to raise or lower them.

The gain or volume level is how it should be adjusted to 75dB, or the same as what you calibrated the other speakers to. You also should do an entire frequency sweep with your test disk. You will find dips and humps across the entire range. The ones below 90-100Hz are the most important and this is where subwoofer placement becomes critical. If you can place the sub to smooth out these humps and dips, it is far more effective and easier than trying to EQ them out. It will make the entire system sound better.


All the studs run parallel to the couch every 18", I think it woud be easier to make a shelf and mount it to the wall so I wouldn't have to drill through the speaker. How high shoud they be? At ear level, or cieling level. All the speakers are direct. After thinking, I maybe should have opted for 1 pair of dipoles rather than 2 pair of direct bookshelf.

Directs should be placed directly parallel with the listener and higher up the wall for surround speakers. Dipoles could be used but directs are fine in a smaller room (less than 2000 ft2). I agree, a shelf is easier to place correctly.

Good Luck and I hope this helps. Remember, get the audio setup first. Once everything is where you like it and sounds best, then worry about your screen size. Seating distance is important. You don't want to be sitting in the middle of the room or against the back wall, if you can absolutely help it. Once this is sorted out, then screen size will be easier to determine for best results.

 

[gholt]

Her is a quick and dirty diagram to see what the best placement would be. If you think I may have messed up in the placement of the PJ, Screen etc. please let me know. I am having 2nd thoughts about perhaps moving things, but all the wiring and smurf pipe was ran where everything now sits. So, let me know what you think.

 

[westcott]

Her is a quick and dirty diagram to see what the best placement would be. If you think I may have messed up in the placement of the PJ, Screen etc. please let me know. I am having 2nd thoughts about perhaps moving things, but all the wiring and smurf pipe was ran where everything now sits. So, let me know what you think.

If the drawing is to scale, then it looks good to me, except for the couch placement. I would push it back. About where the closet doors are and where it sits now in the photos. You will have to move the front mains in closer to the center channel and this may reduce your screen size. I would not be too concerned about that though. I am using a 100" at a 16 foot seating distance and don't feel slighted in the least. I may also suggest moving the projector closer to take advantage of every drop of brightness you can get out of it, even with the suggested couch position would be good. Not sure what your zoom distance is on your projector so keep this in mind.

It will be hard to keep the center channel at ear level if you have low ceilings without going with a perforated screen made for such applications. I have never priced them so that is also a consideration. Some don't like the look of them so I would investigate this option, as well.

There are always compromises that will have to be made. Very few people have an ideal space. But, if you know what you are trying to achieve and know what is ideal, at least you have a reference point to shoot for and can compromise on those things that are less important to you. You may be able to move the closet door without too much hassle. Maybe not. But at least you have a justification for doing so. It seems like unused space. I would take advantage of it. Maybe even do a second row of seating on an elevated platform later. Many people wish they had a dedicated space like you and the space to be creative. I woud even consider putting the equipment out of sight in the closet or reducing the closet size to keep the current speaker distance. Take your time and think this through and the rewards will be many.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

 

[gholt]

If the drawing is to scale, then it looks good to me, except for the couch placement. I would push it back. About where the closet doors are and where it sits now in the photos. You will have to move the front mains in closer to the center channel and this may reduce your screen size. I would not be too concerned about that though. I am using a 100" at a 16 foot seating distance and don't feel slighted in the least. I may also suggest moving the projector closer to take advantage of every drop of brightness you can get out of it, even with the suggested couch position would be good. Not sure what your zoom distance is on your projector so keep this in mind.

Didn't think about moving the closet door, that could be good. Though everything is brand new.

The Zoom on the PJ can go up to 2x I believe that it is around 1.5 @ 17' back. It is the panny ATX-200U.

It will be hard to keep the center channel at ear level if you have low ceilings without going with a perforated screen made for such applications. I have never priced them so that is also a consideration. Some don't like the look of them so I would investigate this option, as well.

I briefly looked into perforated screen, but I still have pretty young kids <5. So, I'm worried that they could damage the screen. I got speaker stand that are 10" for the center. So, with the speaker on the stand, the tweeters are ~ 24", not quite 36", but I want the bigger screen.

There are always compromises that will have to be made. Very few people have an ideal space. But, if you know what you are trying to achieve and know what is ideal, at least you have a reference point to shoot for and can compromise on those things that are less important to you. You may be able to move the closet door without too much hassle. Maybe not. But at least you have a justification for doing so. It seems like unused space. I would take advantage of it. Maybe even do a second row of seating on an elevated platform later. Many people wish they had a dedicated space like you and the space to be creative. I woud even consider putting the equipment out of sight in the closet or reducing the closet size to keep the current speaker distance. Take your time and think this through and the rewards will be many.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will have to do some thinking and see what needs to be done. I will be getting a newer receiver the Onkyo 805. So that should improve some things for sound.

 

[Porschetech]

wow....that center channel looks huge!!!