Help designing a Home Theater

[PHC1]

I've decided to incorporate theater/video aspect into my audio room after all. The room will be 16.5x26 with 11.5 ft ceiling at this point. I had the builder dig the room down another foot to 11.5 ft total from the 10.5 ft ceiling height across the basement.

The question I have is that I am planning on pouring concrete floor slab that has "bi-level" for theater seating. Another words the back of the room where the doors are will be level and then drop 12" to the front of the theater with steps on both sides. This way the back seats are elevated from the front seats and there will be no issues with bass resonance as is often the case with wooden platforms.

The question is, with a 26ft length of the room, where should this step down be in regards to proper viewing distance and considering the proper distance for a good 2 channel audio performance. :scratch2:

I'm thinking the speakers will probably be about 11 to 13 feet apart to have sufficient space between the side walls so I will need at least 13 to 15 feet back from them to be in the Wilson suggested listening zone of 1.1-1.3 ratio of speaker width to listening spot distance. Of course the speakers will also be at least 2-3 feet back from the front wall of the theater.

So I'm thinking the front row seating will be the sweet spot for 2 channel listening and it should be a minimum of 14-16 ft. How does this tie in with the proper viewing distance and the screen size needed?

Your thoughts?

[1KW]

If your plan on having a recliner in the back row go with 7 feet between the back of the platform and front so someone sitting in the middle seat can get out without you having to lower your recliner; this is the distance I have on my platform even though at the present time I have a sofa. Go with as big a screen as you can fit; it all depends on the projector you choose. I have a 120 inch but my effective ceiling height after finishing the basement and mounting the projector from the ceiling is lower then yours. Since you can mount the projector up to 26 feet away get a giant screen and you will love it.

Are you going to go back to Mcintosh for the home theater or Meridian ?

[PHC1]

I am planning on 2 rows of 4 seats for a total of 8. Aren't there specific screen sizes recommended for different viewing distances? :scratch2:

[1KW]

I am planning on 2 rows of 4 seats for a total of 8. Aren't there specific screen sizes recommended for different viewing distances? :scratch2:

The size screen is usually dictated more by the distance your projector is from your screen. Keep in mind in a commercial theater some people sit in closer then others. I will measure the distance my front row is from my screen later.

[hkval]

This website has a calculator - Viewing Distance Calculator (http://myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html)

Google - viewing distance vs. screen size.
Hope this helps.

[howiebrou]

Serge,

Your dimensions are vaguely similar to my 14 feet by 25 feet room. My sweet spot for 2 channel (which takes priority) is about 13 / 14 feet from the screen which sits about 3 feet out to allow the vertical centre speaker to go behind the screen.

The screen is a acoustically transparent screen and will be 100 inches in diagonal width. I figured this would be more than enough at 14 feet. My projector, the Sony VPL-HW10 has a throw range from 10 feet to about 18 feet so anywhere in between is okay. The further back you go, the less bright the picture.

My room also, has a step up, made of concrete although this was already present. The jump up is about 18 feet back. I haven't yet decided whether to incorporate stadium seating. I might just put a desk behind the seats so I can watch TV and use the computer simultaneously.

Check out this site; http://www.projectorcentral.com/Sony-VPL-HW10-projection-calculator-pro.htm

It will show you the throw distance and screen size optimal for a projector of your choice. Very useful!

howie

[1KW]

Projector central is where I purchased my replacement bulb from. Take a look at this Projector HC7000 Home Theater Projector - LCD Projectors - Mitsubishi Digital Electronics (http://www.mitsubishi-hometheater.com/hc7000.asp?utm_source=Projector%20Central&utm_medium=display&utm_term=HC7000&utm_content=ROS_300x250&utm_campaign=cpm)

I am happy with my Mitsubishi projector, this one has a amazing contrast ratio 72,000 to 1

[Masterlu]

To do it correct at this point, I highly recommend you get a video engineer/expert involved. To get superb video projection, there is no room for error. Call me if you like Serge.

[KingRT]

So I'm thinking the front row seating will be the sweet spot for 2 channel listening and it should be a minimum of 14-16 ft. How does this tie in with the proper viewing distance and the screen size needed?

Your thoughts?

When I built mine I went to the local theater and found my preferred seat distance to the size of the screen. Scaled it to fit my room within the constraints of my equipment for 2 channel.

One suggestion. Error on a screen that's too big. I went bigger then what was popular, and have never thought to myself "Boy I wish it was smaller!"

Good luck!

[1KW]

Size does matter... get a big screen

[Masterlu]

Everything is relative; for my 110" screen & projector, my viewing sweet spot is 139" away from it.

My audio is then built around that figure. :yes:

[PHC1]

I've decided to split the 26' long HT room into 10' "high" and 16' "low" level with a 12" drop with steps on both sides. This way I should have enough room for 2 channel sweet spot on the first level and rear seating on the second level.

I figure the Sasha or Maxx 3... will be about 10-11 ft apart to give them space away from the side walls of 2.5-3' each and the 1.2 ratio of width to the listening spot will put me at roughly 12-14 ft plus the 2 or 3 feet for the speakers away from the back wall puts me at 16' or so.

Hopefully the screen of about 110" will make sense with the approx 18' viewing distance from the back seats.

If anyone has any other suggestion or if I am off with my calculations/plan please speak NOW! :D

[Uberbrown]

...or Maxx 3...

I just fell over!
:drool::drool:Maxx 3:drool::drool:

[Uberbrown]

If anyone has any other suggestion or if I am off with my calculations/plan please speak NOW! :D

FYI...Just in Case

Screen Size and PJ Distance Calculator...
Projection Calculator Classic - Throw Distance and Screen Size (http://www.projectorcentral.com/projection-calculator.cfm)

Viewing DIstance Calculator (Not entirely sure how this works)
Viewing Distance Calculator (http://myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html)

Screen Size Article
Your Projector Screen: How big should it be? (http://www.projectorcentral.com/screen_size.htm)

Throw Ratios and Viewing DIstance
Throw Ratios and Viewing Distances (http://www.theprojectorpros.com/learn-s-learn-p-theater_throw_ratios.htm)

PJ FInder
Find Projectors By Feature (http://www.projectorcentral.com/projectors.cfm?mfg_id=any&res_id=any&ar=2&td=11&is=92&bll=any&bul=any&cll=any&cul=any&wll=any&wul=any&prll=any&prul=any&an=0&sp_id=0&dvi=-1&trig=1)

[Uberbrown]

...the Sasha...

I just fell over...
:drool::drool:Saaaaashaaaa:drool::drool:

[PHC1]

FYI...Just in Case

Screen Size and PJ Distance Calculator...
Projection Calculator Classic - Throw Distance and Screen Size (http://www.projectorcentral.com/projection-calculator.cfm)

Viewing DIstance Calculator (Not entirely sure how this works)
Viewing Distance Calculator (http://myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html)

Screen Size Article
Your Projector Screen: How big should it be? (http://www.projectorcentral.com/screen_size.htm)

Throw Ratios and Viewing DIstance
Throw Ratios and Viewing Distances (http://www.theprojectorpros.com/learn-s-learn-p-theater_throw_ratios.htm)

PJ FInder
Find Projectors By Feature (http://www.projectorcentral.com/projectors.cfm?mfg_id=any&res_id=any&ar=2&td=11&is=92&bll=any&bul=any&cll=any&cul=any&wll=any&wul=any&prll=any&prul=any&an=0&sp_id=0&dvi=-1&trig=1)

Thanks, this is very helpful. :thumbsup:

[PHC1]

I've decided to take a different approach after thinking it over. Considering that it will be my immediate family only in the theater 98% of the time, the floor will be poured flat with the concrete slab being an extra 12" thick for vibration dampening. This will allow me to use a sectional sofa or something along those lines and not being locked in to a specific distances because of the bi-level floor. :yes: Since 2 channel will still take precedence over the multi-channel in that room, I thought it would be more important to have the freedom for both speaker to listening spot and video viewing distance. :thumbsup:

The room will be acoustically treated with 2 channel performance in mind. I will probably use ASC products extensively with decorative moulding and trim to dress it up.


Here is the sectional that caught my eye. Functional, comfortable and I like the storage bins to hide the remotes. :D

[80B]

Serge, that sounds like a good plan that fits your priorities. What does your timing look like at this point?

[PHC1]

Serge, that sounds like a good plan that fits your priorities. What does your timing look like at this point?

Time... Time stands still when it comes to building a house. At least that's what I think. Of course my builder seems to think otherwise. :D I do have time to think things through of what will actually be but the floor I did have to decide on since it will be poured soon.

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd18/PHC1_2007/HT2.jpg

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd18/PHC1_2007/HT1.jpg

[1KW]

Serge,

Looks good. Having built 4 new homes with basements here are a few suggestions. I would recommend putting in the rough drainage pipes now before they poor the floor for a bathroom, at this stage PVC pipe is all you need and it's cheap. If not done already, put in a french drain to keep your basement dry.

[PHC1]

Serge,

Looks good. Having built 4 new homes with basements here are a few suggestions. I would recommend putting in the rough drainage pipes now before they poor the floor for a bathroom, at this stage PVC pipe is all you need and it's cheap. If not done already, put in a french drain to keep your basement dry.

Yep, that stuff has already been done. 2 sump pumps, interior and exterior perimeter drains as well as sealing the concrete from the outside with Rub-R-Wall. I don't foresee any water problems and my builder is convinced the sump pumps will have cobwebs in them. :D The toilet, shower and wet bar as well as the pump for them has been plumbed and covered with gravel already.