New HT Room

[rmk]

Off-axis is really smooth with the JTRs, a few degrees you for sure won't be able to notice.

You see the new JTR Growler Duo? Just curious if you heard anything about it. I haven't even seen a picture, I've been meaning to call Jeff and ask about it. A pair of those might make my room explode though.

I wish I could hear your system. :/

No additional info on the Growler Duo but if he can pull it off he will have created an interesting design .

Jeff is non-stop building speakers and so I have been leaving him alone. He owes me the new "updated" drivers for my T12's and I expect I will be getting some info soon.

If you are ever in Northern California, you have an open invite.

 

[jostenmeat]

Speaking of looking good, I picked up the euro version of the BBC “Life” bluray and we watched some of the first disc last night. WOW is all I can say, it is narrated by David Attenborough and is a must own for hobbyists. Much better than the US Oprah/Discovery channel version.

Thanks for the rec (again). How was this obtained, perhaps through Amazon-UK? At the US site, it says it doesn't release until June.

For something with serious reference/demo PQ, check out River at Risk IMAX. However, it's only about 45 min long, and the narration/story is not extraordinarily compelling, but there are some bits of interesting history, and the panoramic shots, well, yeah . . . It's pricey right now at +$18; it was just $12 when I got it a couple of months ago or something. Music is by Dave Matthews.

http://www.amazon.com/Grand-Canyon-Adventure-River-Blu-ray/dp/B001KEGRCA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1269890634&sr=1-1-spell

Here are Xylon's comparative pics:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1128543

 

[rmk]

Thanks for the rec (again). How was this obtained, perhaps through Amazon-UK? At the US site, it says it doesn't release until June.

For something with serious reference/demo PQ, check out River at Risk IMAX. However, it's only about 45 min long, and the narration/story is not extraordinarily compelling, but there are some bits of interesting history, and the panoramic shots, well, yeah . . . It's pricey right now at +$18; it was just $12 when I got it a couple of months ago or something. Music is by Dave Matthews.

http://www.amazon.com/Grand-Canyon-Adventure-River-Blu-ray/dp/B001KEGRCA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1269890634&sr=1-1-spell

Here are Xylon's comparative pics:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1128543

Yes, Amazon-UK for the BBC ver of Life.

Thanks for the R@R tip. Just ordered it .

 

[rmk]

I keep thinking about a screen wall and an AT screen but I have been very unimpressed with the image quality of AT. I have samples from virtually everyone and I saw a lengthy demo of an uber expensive Stewart StudioTek Microperf and I could easily see the perforations from 10-12' which is just under my front row viewing distance.

As much as I would like to go with a screen wall I really should just stand pat until someone makes an AT screen that can perform to the level of my current screen. Here is a picture of my 106” diag 16:9 StudioTek powered screen.

Somebody talk me down.

 

[jamie2112]

Damn that is sick!!!! Nice job rmk.........really nice.

 

[jostenmeat]

I keep thinking about a screen wall and an AT screen but I have been very unimpressed with the image quality of AT. I have samples from virtually everyone and I saw a lengthy demo of an uber expensive Stewart StudioTek Microperf and I could easily see the perforations from 10-12' which is just under my front row viewing distance.

Hey man, I would love to read a mini-review, comparing all of these samples. If you can find the time, and even it it was simply with short layman subjective blurbs, it would be quite appreciated.

As much as I would like to go with a screen wall I really should just stand pat until someone makes an AT screen that can perform to the level of my current screen. Here is a picture of my 106” diag 16:9 StudioTek powered screen.

That day may never come, if only because you own a Stewart StudioTek!

Somebody talk me down.

What do you mean? Talk you out of AT?

Would you consider a scope setup? Lemme run a couple of quickies . . . Ok, I assume you can have a little less black drop to clear main speakers for the wider scope screen.

Assuming the height of present screen is perfect, but with the desire to widen, and that I ran my calculations correctly, you can have a 140" 2.35:1 screen, which will maintain the same screen height you have now.

Rounding to the nearest inch, it would be 122" x 52", instead of your present 92" x 52". Whaddya think? I'm pretty sure you're not crazy about scope, and I personally am not simply due to costs . . . but it seems you have an itch to scratch!

BTW, I may have asked before, but can I ask you how tall your ceiling is? Cheers.

 

[rmk]

Hey man, I would love to read a mini-review, comparing all of these samples. If you can find the time, and even it it was simply with short layman subjective blurbs, it would be quite appreciated.

I still have the samples but I am a little fuzzy on the details. Suffice to say the Stewart was consistently brighter and more natural looking than any of the other fabrics I sampled. I wanted to find a lower cost alternative but none measured up to my eye. The Seymour XD was the best of the AT fabrics. That is still a possibility but I know I will be giving up image quality to get the sound from screen effect. I may end up ordering the Seymour and just return it if it doesn't work out.

What do you mean? Talk you out of AT?

Would you consider a scope setup? Lemme run a couple of quickies . . . Ok, I assume you can have a little less black drop to clear main speakers for the wider scope screen.

Assuming the height of present screen is perfect, but with the desire to widen, and that I ran my calculations correctly, you can have a 140" 2.35:1 screen, which will maintain the same screen height you have now.

Rounding to the nearest inch, it would be 122" x 52", instead of your present 92" x 52". Whaddya think? I'm pretty sure you're not crazy about scope, and I personally am not simply due to costs . . . but it seems you have an itch to scratch!

BTW, I may have asked before, but can I ask you how tall your ceiling is? Cheers.

My ceilings are 9'.

Despite all your correct calculations and well reasoned thoughts, I am left with not liking CIH for a variety of reasons none of which can be justified with logic. It's a general dislike for the concept and IMO, rather poor engineering. Just sticking a lens in front of the projector just seems wrong despite all the user testimonials to the contrary. I keep thinking there will be a variable AR masking projector that will eliminate all this lens and power masking nonsense. I keep thinking what if I spent big bucks on a CIH/masking setup and along comes TDK and then Cameron decides to release Avatar in 1.78:1 ... That would just blow.

Anyway, I will probably do the Seymour XD test just to see what is what. If I do it, I was thinking a 16:9 format screen 130" diag. That's plenty big from 12', no?

 

[MidnightSensi]

will probably do the Seymour XD test just to see what is what. If I do it, I was thinking a 16:9 format screen 130" diag. That's plenty big from 12', no?

I kinda wish I went bigger now that I'm used to my screen. My screen is your size and your front row distance is about my distance to seating. So I understand where you are at.

If you can go to 130" ... I think that would be good at 12'. Yes it is big, too big for videogames in the front row, but for movies it will be killer. I wish I had 130"

 

[rmk]

I kinda wish I went bigger now that I'm used to my screen. My screen is your size and your front row distance is about my distance to seating. So I understand where you are at.

If you can go to 130" ... I think that would be good at 12'. Yes it is big, too big for videogames in the front row, but for movies it will be killer. I wish I had 130"

That's what I'm thinking. 130" diag from 12 feet seems kinda big but I can always move to the back row for sports on the rare occasions I use the projector for sports. OTOH, we watched episode 4 of Pacific last night and a chapter of the BBC version of Life and the screen seemed perfect for those 16:9 format programs. I hope I'm not sorry about this move ... honestly, I wouldn't do it without the Seymour 30 day return policy.

The guy (Jeff Meier) who will be calibrating my projector published this screen review and liked the Seymour XD AT screen. I have spoken to Jeff and it seems like the Seymour a good fit with my projector. We shall see.

 

[MidnightSensi]

That's what I'm thinking. 130" diag from 12 feet seems kinda big but I can always move to the back row for sports on the rare occasions I use the projector for sports. OTOH, we watched episode 4 of Pacific last night and a chapter of the BBC version of Life and the screen seemed perfect for those 16:9 format programs. I hope I'm not sorry about this move ... honestly, I wouldn't do it without the Seymour 30 day return policy.

The guy (Jeff Meier) who will be calibrating my projector published this screen review and liked the Seymour XD AT screen. I have spoken to Jeff and it seems like the Seymour a good fit with my projector. We shall see.

Yeah, 16:9 I'm happy but wide stuff I feel like I want bigger. I watched Sherlock Holmes on Saturday afternoon, and 16:9 it was great and felt movie theater like. Watching Red Cliff last night I felt like my screen was a bit too small.

I can't wrap my head around your viewing distance being 12' from the front row. That's what mine is, maybe even a bit more, and my room feels so much smaller. Your room must be very wide. Also my chairs are so huge they make the room look tiny. Now that I look at your T12s, though, I guess I can kind of see the proportions. The 12s are big (and sound big!), but, they aren't as big as they look in pictures (actually I think that hurts Jeff more than helps, because people think they are like those giant JBL srx's or whatever).

Your theater has to rock like no other at 12' with those. How are your ears doing? Actually a problem with the JTRs, if it could be considered a problem, is they have so much dynamic capability, and sound so effortless at high volumes, that it is really easy to run them too loud for your ears. At high volumes they sound quieter than a typical home speaker that is struggling (distorting). I know that sounds like a lame preach, but, I wanted to get that out.

Are you able to keep your motor or does a new one come with the Seymour?

 

[rmk]

Yeah, 16:9 I'm happy but wide stuff I feel like I want bigger. I watched Sherlock Holmes on Saturday afternoon, and 16:9 it was great and felt movie theater like. Watching Red Cliff last night I felt like my screen was a bit too small.

I can't wrap my head around your viewing distance being 12' from the front row. That's what mine is, maybe even a bit more, and my room feels so much smaller. Your room must be very wide. Also my chairs are so huge they make the room look tiny. Now that I look at your T12s, though, I guess I can kind of see the proportions. The 12s are big (and sound big!), but, they aren't as big as they look in pictures (actually I think that hurts Jeff more than helps, because people think they are like those giant JBL srx's or whatever).

Your theater has to rock like no other at 12' with those. How are your ears doing? Actually a problem with the JTRs, if it could be considered a problem, is they have so much dynamic capability, and sound so effortless at high volumes, that it is really easy to run them too loud for your ears. At high volumes they sound quieter than a typical home speaker that is struggling (distorting). I know that sounds like a lame preach, but, I wanted to get that out.

Are you able to keep your motor or does a new one come with the Seymour?

Well I did the deed. I have a Seymour XD 132" diag fixed AT screen on order. should have it in a couple of weeks. My Screen will be 24" off of the front wall to give the T12's a little breathing room so my actual distance to the front wall is a little over 14' but the front row is 12' from the screen. Using the Projector Central screen calculator it looks like i will be within the aceptable brightness range for the screen size and gain with my RS35.

Since I started using Audyssey Dynamic EQ and added the height speakers I seem to be running everything a few db less (-8 to -10 from reference) and yet not giving up any impact. The Dynamic EQ keeps the bass levels up even with the lower SPL.

I will be selling my Panasonic 58" plasma and the Stewart StudioTek 130 powered screen if I like the Seymour. I think I will but you never know .

 

[MidnightSensi]

Cool! What are your newly planned speaker locations? Center configured with the compression driver on top like the L and R's and subs moved over?

 

[rmk]

Cool! What are your newly planned speaker locations? Center configured with the compression driver on top like the L and R's and subs moved over?

I'm going vertical with the LCR’s but they will be staggered with the center being a few inches higher. Mine are the old T12’s with an enclosure for the coax and that makes re-locating the coax difficult without cutting the enclosure and I do not want to do that. I think it will look ok and maybe even cool. Having a slight (less than 6”) misalignment of the coaxes won’t be an issue. The mains will be slightly inboard of their current location but still have adequate separation (I hope).

The mains will be sitting on top of the Captivators on Subdudes. The center will be sanding vertical (like the mains) on that old box center channel riser I decommissioned last month, The screen will be hanging from the ceiling via a plywood gusset that I will cover with the same Fidelio fabric that covers the screen frame. The can lights will be moved back a few inches and will illuminate the T12 speakers behind the screen (ala IMAX).

So if all turns out according to plan the screen will be hanging in space from the plywood gusset, the Captivators will be the only visible hardware just under the screen (approx 1” clearance). There will be about 18” of open space on either side of the screen but that will be treated wall space just as it appears now with the powered screen down.

How’s that for an explanation … clear as mud?

If I don’t like the way this looks I will build a screen wall and hide everything but I think this plan is easy and will look good too. Time will tell.

 

[MidnightSensi]

Pft, get it framed out. Come'on. You got two weeks and every time you look at your current screen your just going to wonder what the new one will be like.

It's page 73, mostly josten and I. We know you, you're building a screen wall either now or on page 93, but, eventually, the screen wall is coming.

 

[rmk]

Pft, get it framed out. Come'on. You got two weeks and every time you look at your current screen your just going to wonder what the new one will be like.

It's page 73, mostly josten and I. We know you, you're building a screen wall either now or on page 93, but, eventually, the screen wall is coming.

I show page 74 but who's counting .

Honestly, if I knew 6 years ago where I go withthis hobby I would have just built out a faux theater like a lot of others have done. What I have now sounds great and throws a great picture but the room is a tweener.

Candy Counter here I come ...

 

[MidnightSensi]

I show page 74 but who's counting .

Honestly, if I knew 6 years ago where I go withthis hobby I would have just built out a faux theater like a lot of others have done. What I have now sounds great and throws a great picture but the room is a tweener.

Candy Counter here I come ...

Haha.

Your room is really nice. I'm not into the 'theme' home theaters, with the popcorn machines and ticket counters and so forth. That aspect of this hobby never really caught on for me... I prefer the minimal fluff purpose built setups. Your room looks like one where I would chill out and watch a movie. The rooms with the fake skylights and cheesey fixtures on the wall just make me feel like I was at a bad theme park.

That said, full built out theaters are cool. But, I like them modern and more 'studio' looking than 'theater' looking.

Anyway you go I'm sure this is going to be cool and I can't wait to get the updates!

Peace

 

[rmk]

After reading quite a bit and discussing this with Chris @ Seymour AV, I decided to drop the AT screen size down one size to 126 diag. This will mean the mains will need to be 2.5" further inboard than with the 132" screen but the trade off in viewing angle (trying to stay at 40⁰ from the front row) and image brightness/resolution made the smaller screen a better choice.

I know josten won't agree with this decision but I believe his eyes are farther apart than mine .

 

[jostenmeat]

Wut?

Actually, you're wrong there rmk, because I do agree with the decision. I think you said 12 ft from front row, and if 126", that's 41.7 deg, which is pretty much exactly where I am at. Warning: it's big!

 

[rmk]

Actually, you're wrong there rmk, because I do agree with the decision. I think you said 12 ft from front row, and if 126", that's 41.7 deg, which is pretty much exactly where I am at. Warning: it's big!

Hey cool tat ... but those teeth ... are you British?

 

[TheFactor]

hey cool tat ... But those teeth ... Are you british?

lmao....