Eric James
I just bought a new home and it has an office in the basement that I would like to convert to a home theater of sorts. The size is 16'8 x 15'. First of all can I do it with a room this size? If so what are some good websites or dealers to look up? I'm clueless so I need all the help I can get!
Furniture is taken care of. I just need to ideas for projectors, screens and surround sound.
I don't have a defined budget but I know I don't want to spend more then $5K.
Answer
Here's some things I would look at when putting something like that together:
TV type and screen size -
Since you're putting this home theater together in a basement, I'll assume low lighting, even during the day. So, you can go with either a plasma or LCD (or DLP, for that matter). If it were a bright room that gets lots of ambient light, I would recommend against the plasma, because it has a glossy screen and would reflect too much glare.
As far as screen size, there's a formula for what's called optimum viewing angle. Basically, this means that there is an optimum viewing distance for a given widescreen TV size and, conversely, an optimum TV screen size for a given viewing distance. The rule of thumb is this: For a 40-inch screen, you should watch it from about 10 feet. For a 50-inch screen, you should watch it from about 20 feet. So, depending on how far back your furniture is from the TV, you're looking at about a 42- to 46-inch screen. And, a projector would probably be overkill in a room that small.
Surround sound -
Do you want 5.1 sound, 6.1, or 7.1? The ".1" is the subwoofer in all of these formats. For 5.1, you have left and right front speakers, a front center speaker, and left and right rear speakers. For 6.1, add a rear center channel. For 7.1, you have L/R front, front center, L/R side, and L/R rear.
Personally, I think 6.1 and 7.1 are overkill. I have 5.1 and it sounds great. 6.1 and 7.1 alxo will incur more cost for the speakers (the receivers are more expensive, too. Plus, I have enough issues with running the rear speaker wires for one pair of surround speakers with the 5.1.
Speakers -
I always recommend Klipsch speakers. There are a couple of sites on eBay that are authorized Klipsch dealers. They offer the Klipsch Quintet plus powered subwoofer (SW-10 or SW-12) for about $500 and $600, respectively (plus shipping, no tax). I have the Quintets and the SW-12 running off a basic Yamaha 5.1 surround sound receiver. They sound great and would really fill up the room in your home theater. The subwoofer has a variable output adjustment, a variable cutoff frequency (60 Hz to 140 Hz), and an output phase control (0 to 180 degrees). So, it can be tuned to match your exact speaker setup and room accoustics.
Also, consider that you have to run speaker wire to the rear surrounds. Since you're building the theater, I'm assuming you can do a bit of remodeling. If possible, run the speaker wires for the rear speakers through the ceiling and down to a jack where the speakers will be placed. Use thick, stranded speaker wire (12 gauge).
Lighting -
I recommend recessed or track lighting on a dimmer (think of how movie theaters look). Track lighting is nice, because you can get individual spots and point them at the wall for an indirect lighting effect. You might also consider cove lighting, where you build about an 8-inch cove in the ceiling and hide lights inside it, firing upward at the ceiling. You could combine the halogen spot track lights with fluorescent cove lighting for a great effect.
Also, paint the walls a relatively dark color. This minimizes the amount of reflection and glare you'll get while watching the TV.
There are many more considerations for a home theater. But, that should get you started.
Here's some things I would look at when putting something like that together:
TV type and screen size -
Since you're putting this home theater together in a basement, I'll assume low lighting, even during the day. So, you can go with either a plasma or LCD (or DLP, for that matter). If it were a bright room that gets lots of ambient light, I would recommend against the plasma, because it has a glossy screen and would reflect too much glare.
As far as screen size, there's a formula for what's called optimum viewing angle. Basically, this means that there is an optimum viewing distance for a given widescreen TV size and, conversely, an optimum TV screen size for a given viewing distance. The rule of thumb is this: For a 40-inch screen, you should watch it from about 10 feet. For a 50-inch screen, you should watch it from about 20 feet. So, depending on how far back your furniture is from the TV, you're looking at about a 42- to 46-inch screen. And, a projector would probably be overkill in a room that small.
Surround sound -
Do you want 5.1 sound, 6.1, or 7.1? The ".1" is the subwoofer in all of these formats. For 5.1, you have left and right front speakers, a front center speaker, and left and right rear speakers. For 6.1, add a rear center channel. For 7.1, you have L/R front, front center, L/R side, and L/R rear.
Personally, I think 6.1 and 7.1 are overkill. I have 5.1 and it sounds great. 6.1 and 7.1 alxo will incur more cost for the speakers (the receivers are more expensive, too. Plus, I have enough issues with running the rear speaker wires for one pair of surround speakers with the 5.1.
Speakers -
I always recommend Klipsch speakers. There are a couple of sites on eBay that are authorized Klipsch dealers. They offer the Klipsch Quintet plus powered subwoofer (SW-10 or SW-12) for about $500 and $600, respectively (plus shipping, no tax). I have the Quintets and the SW-12 running off a basic Yamaha 5.1 surround sound receiver. They sound great and would really fill up the room in your home theater. The subwoofer has a variable output adjustment, a variable cutoff frequency (60 Hz to 140 Hz), and an output phase control (0 to 180 degrees). So, it can be tuned to match your exact speaker setup and room accoustics.
Also, consider that you have to run speaker wire to the rear surrounds. Since you're building the theater, I'm assuming you can do a bit of remodeling. If possible, run the speaker wires for the rear speakers through the ceiling and down to a jack where the speakers will be placed. Use thick, stranded speaker wire (12 gauge).
Lighting -
I recommend recessed or track lighting on a dimmer (think of how movie theaters look). Track lighting is nice, because you can get individual spots and point them at the wall for an indirect lighting effect. You might also consider cove lighting, where you build about an 8-inch cove in the ceiling and hide lights inside it, firing upward at the ceiling. You could combine the halogen spot track lights with fluorescent cove lighting for a great effect.
Also, paint the walls a relatively dark color. This minimizes the amount of reflection and glare you'll get while watching the TV.
There are many more considerations for a home theater. But, that should get you started.
Cinema Themed Room Ideas?
chad c
Im redoing my room with a cinema theme. I have movie posters, a popcorn machine, a concession sighn, a display case with candies and a projector, any other ideas?
Answer
I have done a number of themed home theaters, and most people do themes of there favorite movies or tv shows. I've done a Star trek theme where it looked like you were on the deck of the ship, cool idea. I've done a Lord of the Rings theme looked cool. I have also done some home theaters to replicate other theaters like Disney's El Capitan in Hollywood.
Its very cool at first but I think personally I might get tired of it pretty quickly.
I would just go for a very cool welcoming look use the right colors, and furniture. That's another thing I would not use the very expensive theater seating that most use but I would rather use some very comfortable cool looking furniture, couches & chairs and set it up in a way that is much more inviting, but yes must be in the best viewing position as well.
Do it in a style that fits the decor of your home, make it comfortable, warm and inviting.
Although doing a Alien theme (from the movie alien) might be pretty cool lol. Or being into Astronomy I would probably do a space theme where it felt like you were in space. The right lighting would be critical. That may not get old lol.
Ether way have fun with it and send me some pictures would love to see it.
Kevin
35 years hi-end audio video specialist
I have done a number of themed home theaters, and most people do themes of there favorite movies or tv shows. I've done a Star trek theme where it looked like you were on the deck of the ship, cool idea. I've done a Lord of the Rings theme looked cool. I have also done some home theaters to replicate other theaters like Disney's El Capitan in Hollywood.
Its very cool at first but I think personally I might get tired of it pretty quickly.
I would just go for a very cool welcoming look use the right colors, and furniture. That's another thing I would not use the very expensive theater seating that most use but I would rather use some very comfortable cool looking furniture, couches & chairs and set it up in a way that is much more inviting, but yes must be in the best viewing position as well.
Do it in a style that fits the decor of your home, make it comfortable, warm and inviting.
Although doing a Alien theme (from the movie alien) might be pretty cool lol. Or being into Astronomy I would probably do a space theme where it felt like you were in space. The right lighting would be critical. That may not get old lol.
Ether way have fun with it and send me some pictures would love to see it.
Kevin
35 years hi-end audio video specialist
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