Theater Sofa

[Lazasar]

I am looking for a sofa that has 4 seats, but arms only on each end. My wife likes to lay down and watch movies. I want to recline. Looking for seat backs that will not block the rear spears from my ears. I keep reading that if there is something between your ears and the speaker, you will not hear the sound. If that is true why do seating manufacturers have such high seats?

 

[Danzilla31]

I am looking for a sofa that has 4 seats, but arms only on each end. My wife likes to lay down and watch movies. I want to recline. Looking for seat backs that will not block the rear spears from my ears. I keep reading that if there is something between your ears and the speaker, you will not hear the sound. If that is true why do seating manufacturers have such high seats?

I've always felt the same way it drives me nuts about seating if you find something let me know because I looked everywhere and had no luck

 

[lovinthehd]

Sofa designers don't care about audio Maybe find something that lowers the rear as you recline? I've not got such a sofa, and mine does have somewhat high backs, but its damn comfy otherwise and that's why I got it originally.....before I knew about potential audio issues later (it's been in three houses, each a different audio setup)

 

[TLS Guy]

I am looking for a sofa that has 4 seats, but arms only on each end. My wife likes to lay down and watch movies. I want to recline. Looking for seat backs that will not block the rear spears from my ears. I keep reading that if there is something between your ears and the speaker, you will not hear the sound. If that is true why do seating manufacturers have such high seats?

If you are going to design and build a seat that will recline, then you have to have it high enough to support the head in the reclined position. Otherwise it would be a disaster that would be uncomfortable and dangerous.

Now most reclining theater chairs will go close to flat, so I would have thought your wife would be happy with that.

The next issue is proper installation of surrounds and rear backs.

I should point out that if you have more than one row of seats they need to be tiered. That is a must both for viewing and acoustics.

The tweeter of the surrounds, and the rear backs should be 60" above the tier over which they are situated. That is Dolby spec. I can assure you, that if you follow the rules it works out perfectly. I admit that the acoustics demand that in this design the chair be reclined at least to some extent. For most that is comfortable.

Good theater chairs are expensive, and I think these manufacturers consider, that their theater chairs are going to be installed in higher end HT rooms.

For our theater we selected the El Ran Finn chairs made in Canada. We have been very pleased with them. They are very comfortable, well built and finished.

The problem with really good HT systems is that they really do require custom rooms for optimal results and comfort, for most that is usually out of the question.

I have come to believe that home legacy architecture is the largest impediment to excellent results. That is certainly what I have come up against when trying to help friends. The fact is that a home remodel, often should be considered part of the budget for a myriad of reasons. Not the least is the installation of the required infrastructure to support current and future technology.

I have built two home theaters now, and I have to say it is seriously hard work following extensive planning.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Be aware that you can get theater seating/custom sofas online from a number of places.

These places have a bunch of styles, but more importantly, they are customizable. That is, the seat and armrests are sold completely separately from each other. This way you can get a 4-seat solution with arms at the end as you like. It will show you sizing and everything else to ensure it fits your space properly.

For example: www.4seating.com

I'm not endorsing any specific online manufacturer, but letting you know there are a number out there. We did buy for our last home from one, and the quality was reasonably good for what was ordered. I think we did a four across with a center loveseat and two on the end. All seats reclined.

 

[Lazasar]

I

If you are going to design and build a seat that will recline, then you have to have it high enough to support the head in the reclined position. Otherwise it would be a disaster that would be uncomfortable and dangerous.

Now most reclining theater chairs will go close to flat, so I would have thought your wife would be happy with that.

The next issue is proper installation of surrounds and rear backs.

I should point out that if you have more than one row of seats they need to be tiered. That is a must both for viewing and acoustics.

The tweeter of the surrounds, and the rear backs should be 60" above the tier over which they are situated. That is Dolby spec. I can assure you, that if you follow the rules it works out perfectly. I admit that the acoustics demand that in this design the chair be reclined at least to some extent. For most that is comfortable.

Good theater chairs are expensive, and I think these manufacturers consider, that their theater chairs are going to be installed in higher end HT rooms.

For our theater we selected the El Ran Finn chairs made in Canada. We have been very pleased with them. They are very comfortable, well built and finished.

The problem with really good HT systems is that they really do require custom rooms for optimal results and comfort, for most that is usually out of the question.

I have come to believe that home legacy architecture is the largest impediment to excellent results. That is certainly what I have come up against when trying to help friends. The fact is that a home remodel, often should be considered part of the budget for a myriad of reasons. Not the least is the installation of the required infrastructure to support current and future technology.

I have built two home theaters now, and I have to say it is seriously hard work following extensive planning.
[/QUOTE

If you are going to design and build a seat that will recline, then you have to have it high enough to support the head in the reclined position. Otherwise it would be a disaster that would be uncomfortable and dangerous.

Now most reclining theater chairs will go close to flat, so I would have thought your wife would be happy with that.

The next issue is proper installation of surrounds and rear backs.

I should point out that if you have more than one row of seats they need to be tiered. That is a must both for viewing and acoustics.

The tweeter of the surrounds, and the rear backs should be 60" above the tier over which they are situated. That is Dolby spec. I can assure you, that if you follow the rules it works out perfectly. I admit that the acoustics demand that in this design the chair be reclined at least to some extent. For most that is comfortable.

Good theater chairs are expensive, and I think these manufacturers consider, that their theater chairs are going to be installed in higher end HT rooms.

For our theater we selected the El Ran Finn chairs made in Canada. We have been very pleased with them. They are very comfortable, well built and finished.

The problem with really good HT systems is that they really do require custom rooms for optimal results and comfort, for most that is usually out of the question.

I have come to believe that home legacy architecture is the largest impediment to excellent results. That is certainly what I have come up against when trying to help friends. The fact is that a home remodel, often should be considered part of the budget for a myriad of reasons. Not the least is the installation of the required infrastructure to support current and future technology.

I have built two home theaters now, and I have to say it is seriously hard work following extensive planning.

I appreciate the detailed response. What do you mean by “60” above the tier”?

 

[Lazasar]

Be aware that you can get theater seating/custom sofas online from a number of places.

These places have a bunch of styles, but more importantly, they are customizable. That is, the seat and armrests are sold completely separately from each other. This way you can get a 4-seat solution with arms at the end as you like. It will show you sizing and everything else to ensure it fits your space properly.

For example: www.4seating.com

I'm not endorsing any specific online manufacturer, but letting you know there are a number out there. We did buy for our last home from one, and the quality was reasonably good for what was ordered. I think we did a four across with a center loveseat and two on the end. All seats reclined.

I have been looking at the on-line vendors and have found several that fit the bill. I was just concerned about the shoulder height of the backs. Perhaps I was overthinking it. Those that have been kind enough to respond have lessened that concern.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I appreciate the detailed response. What do you mean by “60” above the tier”?

If you have risers or tiers for multiple rows of seating. So, your first row is on the ground. Your second row is sitting on a 12" riser (tier), your tweeters are 60" above that 12" tier, which means that they are truly 72" above the ground level.

 

[TLS Guy]

I


I appreciate the detailed response. What do you mean by “60” above the tier”?

If you look at the photographs, you will see that the theater is divided into tiers, in other words three levels. So the tweeters of the surrounds and backs should be 60 inches above their respective tier, in other words the tier they are placed above. This allows for the sound not to get obstructed by seat backs. It works out very well indeed. If it is not Atmos, you could have them a little higher. For Atmos you don't want surrounds too close to the ceiling. I have 9' ceilings from the lowest tier which helps. Atmos has added an extra complication to all of this.

 

[Lazasar]

I will have only one row of seating so I should have rear surrounds and only a 7.5 ceiling. I’m thinking my rears and sides should be around 4ft off the ground…yes?

 

[TLS Guy]

I will have only one row of seating so I should have rear surrounds and only a 7.5 ceiling. I’m thinking my rears and sides should be around 4ft off the ground…yes?

No, the tweeter of the surrounds should be 5 ft. above the floor.

 

[3db]

I am looking for a sofa that has 4 seats, but arms only on each end. My wife likes to lay down and watch movies. I want to recline. Looking for seat backs that will not block the rear spears from my ears. I keep reading that if there is something between your ears and the speaker, you will not hear the sound. If that is true why do seating manufacturers have such high seats?

Here's what I got from Wayfair last year. Im 5ft9 and I can lay comfortably down on this sofa. The middle chair does not recline and I have put a rectangular ottoman in front of it. It works really well.

3db's Main System.

Time for new pics as I've upgraded my mains to a pair of PSB Image T65s and added a second cassette deck, a Yamaha K1000 direct drive unit.

forums.audioholics.com

3db's Main System.

Time for new pics as I've upgraded my mains to a pair of PSB Image T65s and added a second cassette deck, a Yamaha K1000 direct drive unit.

forums.audioholics.com

 

[Lazasar]

I've always felt the same way it drives me nuts about seating if you find something let me know because I looked everywhere and had no luck

I found one. 3 reclining seats in a sofa. Has lumbar support, reclines and a head adjustment. Back is 26" from seat to top. I am 5'8 and this is perfect. It allows me to recline and still have my ears just barely higher than the back for the seat. They also make one that is about 3" taller for tall people. Manufacturer is Elran Furniture. It is the 6006 series. Is very comfortable and only 7' long. Downside is no cup holders, but given that it is only 7' long, I can put very small end tables on each side for cups, remotes and popcorn. Very happy with this choice. Cost was $4,600.00.

 

[Danzilla31]

I found one. 3 reclining seats in a sofa. Has lumbar support, reclines and a head adjustment. Back is 26" from seat to top. I am 5'8 and this is perfect. It allows me to recline and still have my ears just barely higher than the back for the seat. They also make one that is about 3" taller for tall people. Manufacturer is Elran Furniture. It is the 6006 series. Is very comfortable and only 7' long. Downside is no cup holders, but given that it is only 7' long, I can put very small end tables on each side for cups, remotes and popcorn. Very happy with this choice. Cost was $4,600.00.

Thanks for the info I'll check it out

 

[TLS Guy]

I found one. 3 reclining seats in a sofa. Has lumbar support, reclines and a head adjustment. Back is 26" from seat to top. I am 5'8 and this is perfect. It allows me to recline and still have my ears just barely higher than the back for the seat. They also make one that is about 3" taller for tall people. Manufacturer is Elran Furniture. It is the 6006 series. Is very comfortable and only 7' long. Downside is no cup holders, but given that it is only 7' long, I can put very small end tables on each side for cups, remotes and popcorn. Very happy with this choice. Cost was $4,600.00.

Yes, Elran is absolutely top of the line theater furniture.