My HT...so far

[BrawlingBigJim]

Here is my HT so far...it's a work in progress. I used a special paint on the walls and ceiling called ulti-matte and new charcoal carpet. Still to come...blackout curtains, projector ceiling mount, component rack in back(unpainted)wall, speaker stands for surround speakers, movie posters, etc. I will update pics as I complete. I have only had my projector for about a week or so, (panasonic PT-AE200U) and I am still amazed by it's incredible picture every time I turn it on!

 

[speakerman39]

Here is my HT so far...it's a work in progress. I used a special paint on the walls and ceiling called ulti-matte and new charcoal carpet. Still to come...blackout curtains, projector ceiling mount, component rack in back(unpainted)wall, speaker stands for surround speakers, movie posters, etc. I will update pics as I complete. I have only had my projector for about a week or so, (panasonic PT-AE200U) and I am still amazed by it's incredible picture every time I turn it on!

Hi Jim and thanks for sharing. It looks like you are headed in the right direction. I really do not know much about projectors, but from what I can tell you have a good plan in getting it right. Perhaps, I need to learn more about projectors. This has surely given me something to think about. Keep up the good work.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[BrawlingBigJim]

Thanks speakerman, I am excited to get it all done. By the way the projector is a PT-AE2000U not a 200U (typo), and it is awesome.

 

[jostenmeat]

Congrats Jim! I also set up my PJ system this year, and its soooo exciting....!

Here to share a couple of opinions/ideas for improvement, if only for later on.

I would experiment with pulling both speakers and sub away from boundaries some more. Experiment being the operative word, and of course always in balance with your aesthetical tastes.

Without looking up dimensional specs, and guesstimating how much space there is in the pics, I would personally opt for a vertical bookshelf speaker, with a stand on top of your AV stand, so that the tweeter is on the same horizontal plane as your mains' tweeters. The ideal soundstage.

By replacing the horizontal mtm center with vertical bookshelf, you will achieve ideal center speaker performance, without lobing issues. Then again, your seating does seem to be quite front and center. Regardless, even if you keep that speaker, Id still get a stand for it. And even if you don't get a stand, and are dead set on keeping it on AV stand, Id move the center up to reduce reflections, and angle it towards listener.

Finally, you have plenty of working space for acoustical treatments. My thoughts, but again congrats on a great dedicated room.

 

[BrawlingBigJim]

Thanks! Those are some great tips. The rack bench thingy that the center speaker is sitting on, will be gone once I build my component rack into the back wall. So, with your tips in mind, I will make sure to mount the center channel wall shelf in line with the tweeters on the mains. Thanks again! Anyone else have any ideas for me?

 

[jostenmeat]

You're very welcome.

Sooo... if that rack/bench thingy will be removed, would you consider spending for an identical tower as a center channel. I highly recommend it. And if you succeed in doing that, I will be very jealous and hate you passionately for the rest of my life.

 

[BrawlingBigJim]

It just so happens that I have 4 of those matching towers. I am currently using 2 in the HT and 2 in my living room with my 50" plasma and onkyo receiver. I have never seen anyone using a tower as a center channel. Is that really something you would recommend? Anyone else have an opinion on that? If I hear positive feedback on that, then I would certainly go for it. Although I don't know how my wife would feel about it(she watches alot of tv in the living room).

 

[speakerman39]

Thanks speakerman, I am excited to get it all done. By the way the projector is a PT-AE2000U not a 200U (typo), and it is awesome.

Your quite welcome. I would be excited myself. Just keep up the good work and sooner or later you will get there. Thanks for the specific info.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[darien87]

Is that a Rock Band drum kit I spy under your projector???

Awesome game.

 

[j_garcia]

I will echo jostenmeat's comments about pulling the speakers away from the walls - in both directions. That is the one thing I can see that would be an issue. Curtains to go over the blinds immediately near the front area might also help with light and sound control.

 

[BrawlingBigJim]

Almost Done!

So here I am with my 95% complete Home Theater! All that is left to do is: Blackout curtains, Blank plates for component rack and a few framed movie posters etc. and some proper home theater recliners. Your comments are welcome of course! Thanks to everyone for your great advice during my project. I have certainly figured out why this site is called audioholics, this hobby is addictive, but also rewarding...and costly..and....you guys know what I mean. I am already looking at upgrades to my equipment and I am not even finished my room yet! Here is a link to the updated pics http://s415.photobucket.com/albums/pp239/cfield22/

 

[Stripes]

Looks really good, I like the color of the paint.

 

[mazersteven]

You've done a really nice job.

 

[BrawlingBigJim]

Thanks guys, the paint I used is by Benjamin Moore called Ulti-Matte and the color is Iron Mountain.

 

[jamie2112]

Good job it looks great......

 

[Adam]

I agree, looks great! So, when do you want to come over and start on mine?

 

[westcott]

Congratulations!!

I like your equipment choices and the low proifle AV credenza. It really looks clean. That is important when you have space constraints like you have.

I would recommend moving the center channel closer to ear level. Moving the other speakers would be nice, as recommended by others, but I understand your space limitations.

Keep us posted on your progress and good luck!

 

[BrawlingBigJim]

Thanks westcott, I think you were looking at my original pics of the room though. I have now almost completed the room and have moved my speakers and done alot more work since then. Have a look at the link in my signature or go to the top of page 2 for more info. Cheers

 

[jostenmeat]

So here I am with my 95% complete Home Theater! All that is left to do is: Blackout curtains, Blank plates for component rack and a few framed movie posters etc. and some proper home theater recliners. Your comments are welcome of course! Thanks to everyone for your great advice during my project. I have certainly figured out why this site is called audioholics, this hobby is addictive, but also rewarding...and costly..and....you guys know what I mean. I am already looking at upgrades to my equipment and I am not even finished my room yet! Here is a link to the updated pics http://s415.photobucket.com/albums/pp239/cfield22/

WTG. I love the in-wall rack. Very sweet. I still SOOOOOO wish you would do a center tower. That will be a HUUUUUUGE improvement. The biggest you can make, IMO. HUUUUUUGE. Maybe someday long into the future.

So, with the above in mind, Im not sure what that cabinet is doing in the middle. For storing movies? If so, good, that means its not utterly necessary to be placed there for future purposes.

Also, posters are cool. I have one on the back wall. However, if you put them on the sidewalls, you may get more visual glare in the periphery, more reflection of audio, and take up space where treatments could be mounted.

You might want to acoustically treat the room eventually. HTs are desired to be pretty dead, even more so than music setups, typically speaking. DIY is the cheapest, and otherwise they are not cheap. IOW, I wouldn't recommend spending more on treatments than on a speaker upgrade. But. believe it or not, there is as much $ in my HT treatments as there are in my HT speakers (not including sub). And Im using 7 speakers. I've found that the more I tame the room, the more easily I can crank the volume, because when I hear irritating sounds (which are probably often reflections) I don't want to crank it further. YMMV.

 

[westcott]

Thanks westcott, I think you were looking at my original pics of the room though. I have now almost completed the room and have moved my speakers and done alot more work since then. Have a look at the link in my signature or go to the top of page 2 for more info. Cheers

You are right. The center channel placement is much better now. Good show!

Jostenmeat does make some good points. In a room where speaker placement is restricted, acoustic treatments can help overcome these shortcomings. I have the same problem in my master bedroom. Good Luck and keep us posted on your progress.