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Robert's home theater

#1
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8/8/07 at 1:53pm
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Ok, so after more than two years of permit frustration, I've finally started work on my HT. The room I'm working with was originally 15' x 20'. It was converted from a garage:



I decided to add a 16 foot extension to make it a 28 x 20 room, with three feet behind the far wall for an IB sub. Here's the original exterior:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...7/DSCF0498.jpg



Framing the addition:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...7/DSCF1667.jpg

Here's a view of the framed and insulated addition:

http://s188.photobucket.com/albums/z...t=DSCF1676.jpg

Here's a view looking towards the entrance and equipment closet:

http://s188.photobucket.com/albums/z...t=DSCF1677.jpg

I took my inspiration for the basic layout from Art Sonneborn's room. I really like the way he oriented his equipment closet to the entrance. After the contractor is done, a friend of mine who works in construction will help me with double drywalling the walls with GG, building the risers, etc. My plan is for three rows of three chairs.

Since I had to wait so long for the building permit, I had lots of time to lay out everything in Autocad. Here's a rendering I did:


http://s188.photobucket.com/albums/z...snoambient.jpg

I've spent years marveling at the amazing theaters many of you have built. The quality and quantity of information available on this sort of thing is truly remarkable, and I look forward to the day when I can enjoy what many of you have worked so hard to make come true.
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#2
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8/8/07 at 2:01pm
  • Joined: February 2007
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Re: Robert's home theater

I think your links are wrong. Robert.

Here's the message I get when I click on any of them:

Quote:
The file you're looking for doesn't exist or has been moved. Or, maybe the other files just didn't like that one and they all ganged up on it and harassed it until it left. That would be very sad!

Actually, we couldn't find the page you requested or it does not exist. Please check the URL.
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#3
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8/8/07 at 2:06pm
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Re: Robert's home theater

Ok Chris, I'll recheck them, thanks.

Edit: Fixed.
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#4
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8/9/07 at 5:56am
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Re: Robert's home theater

Looks like a great start! Keep posting your progress.

Good luck with the work ahead,

David
The Noll Family Home Theater
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#5
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8/9/07 at 6:54am
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Re: Robert's home theater

Thanks Dave
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#6
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8/10/07 at 7:08pm
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Re: Robert's home theater

Looks great, but how high are your platforms? They look like they are over a foot high, I assume that they are since the usual height of each step is 6.5" to 7" and you have two steps for each platform. If so, that's pretty high, and I envy your ceiling height as I'm stuck with 7 foot ceilings.
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#7
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8/12/07 at 11:44am
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Re: Robert's home theater

The risers are 15.5 inches above the lower level, which is what the AVS riser calculator came up with (and what I verified drawing sight lines in Autocad). My ceiling height is 8 feet 8 inches.
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#8
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8/30/07 at 11:46am
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Re: Robert's home theater

Here's a pic of the equipment closet:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...7/DSCF1682.jpg

And one of the projector vent fan being put in:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...7/DSCF1685.jpg

And one of my 300+ lb. contractor hanging from the Unistrut to show my wife that the NEC XG135LC projector won't fall down!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...7/DSCF1689.jpg
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#9
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2/10/08 at 2:18pm
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Re: Robert's home theater

It's been a while since I updated this thread. Here's a shot of the fabric frames I built based on the design in Greg Power's AVS thread, and a shot of the hung projector:


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#10
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2/11/08 at 5:45am
  • Joined: August 2000
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Re: Robert's home theater

It would be nicer if you copy/pasted the IMG tags to that your pictures would appear in the post.

-Robert
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#11
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6/2/08 at 8:46am
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Re: Robert's home theater

The latest install is an Infinite Baffle subwoofer. It consists of eight Soundsplinter RL-P15 15 inch woofers in a double line array. The "enclosure" is the entire front wall of the room, with three feet of space behind it. This, of course, is far larger than any commercial sub (size truly does matter with a subwoofer). I haven't have a chance to calibrate it or integrate it with the front speakers yet, but I have played a few CDs with it, and my initial impression is that it's easily the best subwoofer I've ever heard. The cones barely move on material that would cause quite a bit of excursion with a regular sub. It gives a great impression of ease:

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#12
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6/2/08 at 10:04am
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Re: Robert's home theater

Is that a Dyson vacuum cleaner? Image is bit on the dark side to see what is up front, but it looks impressive.

Okay then. One! Two! One! Two! Yeah looks like it will hold up to an earthquake!

The audience is listening to 56KW!

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#13
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6/2/08 at 10:09am
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Re: Robert's home theater

Actually, it's a Sears model.
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#14
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6/2/08 at 10:54am
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Re: Robert's home theater

Quote:
Originally Posted by RobertR
The latest install is an Infinite Baffle subwoofer. It consists of eight Soundsplinter RL-P15 15 inch woofers in a double line array.
What are you powering all of those subs with? I can't wait to get my quad 18" IB sub installed.

Quote:
Originally Posted by RobertR
Here's a shot of the fabric frames I built based on the design in Greg Power's AVS thread
Could you paste the link to that thread? After my IB install, I'll be building some panels. I've seen a lot of different designs but yours look the best.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Empirefan70
Image is bit on the dark side to see what is up front, but it looks impressive.
Here's a better view from the manufacturer's web site - Soundsplinter. It's not as impressive without something else in the picture. But I have seen the RL-p in person and know what it is capable of. Eight of them are insane. The guys in the Speaker forum talking about them SVS PB12+ don't have a clue.

-Robert
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#15
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6/2/08 at 11:03am
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Re: Robert's home theater

Quote:
What are you powering all of those subs with? I can't wait to get my quad 18" IB sub installed.
Behringer EP2500, Robert. I wired the panels for a 2 ohm impedance for each. The Behringer is able to deliver 1200 watts to each panel.

Quote:
Could you paste the link to that thread? After my IB install, I'll be building some panels. I've seen a lot of different designs but yours look the best.
Thanks Robert! Greg really came up with the design. It's a lot of work, but it's worth it. Here's the thread:

Fabric Frames - AVS Forum

Quote:
The guys in the Speaker forum talking about them SVS PB12+ don't have a clue.
Yeah, no commercial sub can come anywhere close to matching the enclosure size of an IB sub (or the cumulative air displacement capability). Look forward to seeing your setup.
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#16
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6/2/08 at 11:31am
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Re: Robert's home theater

Quote:
Originally Posted by RobertR
Behringer EP2500, Robert. I wired the panels for a 2 ohm impedance for each. The Behringer is able to deliver 1200 watts to each panel.
Have you checked out Chas' amp testing thread in the DIY section at AVS? The EP-2500 doesn't have a large enough torridial transformer to produce 1,200w into 2 ohms at 20hz. It only does about 800w into 2 ohms at 20hz. But it's not a bad sub. I'm using one now for my current dual, sealed 15" setup and it will be used in my IB. I may even get a second.

Quote:
Originally Posted by RobertR
Thanks Robert! Greg really came up with the design. It's a lot of work, but it's worth it. Here's the thread:

Fabric Frames - AVS Forum
Bookmarked!

Quote:
Originally Posted by RobertR
Yeah, no commercial sub can come anywhere close to matching the enclosure size of an IB sub (or the cumulative air displacement capability). Look forward to seeing your setup.
I'm going with a standard manifold design with a pair of 18's in each manifold. Between work, yard work and the Mississippi heat, work is not progressing like I want it to.

-Robert
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#17
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6/2/08 at 11:38am
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Re: Robert's home theater

Quote:
Have you checked out Chas' amp testing thread in the DIY section at AVS? The EP-2500 doesn't have a large enough torridial transformer to produce 1,200w into 2 ohms at 20hz. It only does about 800w into 2 ohms at 20hz.
800 Watts is plenty. According to the WinIsd model, I should be getting over 125 dB with 1600 watts (total).

Edit: Thanks for pointing me to that thread! Turns out the Behringer is a pretty good performer into 2 ohms, with only around 0.017 percent distortion at 20 Hz (I was afraid it would be higher). I'll take that and run with it, even if it can't do 1200 watts with a sine wave.
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#18
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6/2/08 at 1:14pm
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Re: Robert's home theater

I’d put several DCX2496 at work in that set-up to prevent harmful dynamic range peaks, damaging the whole stack, use a bit of audio limiting.

So where are the matching fronts LCR I take it they’ll be behind the screen perforated or DIY screen transparent enough to allow the sound to pass though.

I’ve heard felt the hardest cinematic sub bass in the cinema and if 20KW isn’t enough than I don’t know what is.

The audience is listening to 56KW!

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#19
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6/2/08 at 3:48pm
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Re: Robert's home theater

I'm using the Behringer Feedback Destroyer for equalization. I don't really want to limit peaks....Soundsplinter rates ONE speaker for 500-1000 watts usage, so 800 watts into 4 should be fine. My LCR will not be hidden, they will be out front. You can't really hide this:


FF1 SRE (Special Ribbon Edition shown)

Frequency response: +0, -3dB 16Hz-40kHz; average THD 0.9%/1W drive

Driver complement: Two 12" carbon fiber woofers, 12'' slot-loaded, mass-loaded PR subwoofer; 52'' ribbon panel midrange, dual spiral ribbon tweeters.

Nominal impedance: 4 ohms

Sensitivity: 89dB/1W/1m

Recommended amplifier power: 350W RMS, 20W min

Performance: 115dB/1m SPL for 5% THD

Dimensions: 14 1/2''W x 68''H x 17 3/4''D plus the width of the ribbon panel

Weight: 375lbs
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#20
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6/2/08 at 11:17pm
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Re: Robert's home theater

Nice setup you have there!

"Bobby is and idiot"
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#21
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1/3/09 at 12:05pm
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Re: Robert's home theater

After much much work, the theater is done. My inspiration for it comes from Art Sonneborn and Greg Powers. Special thanks to Doug Baisey for his incredible expertise with the NEC XG135LC projector. I'm very happy with the results. Biggest thanks of all to my wife for her unflagging support and hard work in making it all come true. I'm very lucky to have her.


View from the rear with the drapes closed:




View from the front:




View of the screen:




View of the entrance, with my DVDs, HDDVDs, and Blu-Rays:




Views of the Lobby:










Views of my rack:





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#22
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1/3/09 at 1:35pm
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Re: Robert's home theater

WOW!
My Home Theater
Our DVD Collection
Dolby and DTS Plaques (downloads)
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#23
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1/3/09 at 11:23pm
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Re: Robert's home theater

RobertR, that is one nice set-up. I'm impressed.

" I think it's time we go to plan B". "What's plan B?" "That's the one where we don't do something stupid".

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#24
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1/30/09 at 8:22am
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Re: Robert's home theater

Last Saturday I had my friends Vern Sharp, David Tolsky, and Tom Young over to check out the room. Here are a couple of pictures:







Vern brought over some demo material that showed off the full potential of the IB subwoofer. First up was the Bass Mekanik CD, which has frequency sweeps down to 1 Hz. It was fascinating to see the 8 15 inch woofers cause the room to shake at frequencies too low to hear. Next up was the Cloverfield Blu Ray. An AVS thread lists this as a tier 0 audio reference disc, and I can see why. Simply overwhelming bass power. When buildings and such are knocked down, they really sound knocked down! Next up was the Master and Commander Blu Ray. Again, the IB sub had a chance to show what it could do with the Attack scene, giving a sense of effortless room-shaking power in reproducing the cannon shots. I bought the Blu Ray the next day. Thanks Vern, you are serious about bass! We demoed several other discs that day, and I very much enjoyed everyone's company. Tom sent me a very well written essay on how great my room is, and I thank him very much. Dave, you're one of the people who inspired me to build the room.
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#25
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1/30/09 at 9:20am
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Re: Robert's home theater

Great job Robert. Very nice attention to detail and it looks like all the hard work paid off. Enjoy!
MY HT AND 2 CHANNEL PICS
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#26
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1/30/09 at 9:37am
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Re: Robert's home theater

Thanks everyone!
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#27
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1/30/09 at 9:49am
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Re: Robert's home theater

Wow, that is an impressive theater Robert. Well done.
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#28
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3/12/09 at 4:30pm
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Re: Robert's home theater

Great theater Robert!

I especially drool over your ribbon tweeters. I wonder if those sound like the Genesis floor-standers that were my personal "best sounding speakers ever" in 1999 when I moved out of the high-end audio world.

If you don't mind me asking (and you can PM me the answer), how much did the physical construction for your addition cost... minus equipment and furniture? Just the room itself? I'm thinking about doing an addition myself, and the basement extension could house a HT room...

dave
Be an Original Aspect Ratio Advocate

Supporter of 1080p24 video and lossless 24 bit audio.
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#29
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3/13/09 at 6:16am
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Re: Robert's home theater

Wow! Incredible! Amazing quality of work!
My Project Thread

My Project Website
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#30
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3/13/09 at 8:29am
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Re: Robert's home theater

Quote:
Originally Posted by DaViD Boulet
Great theater Robert!

I especially drool over your ribbon tweeters. I wonder if those sound like the Genesis floor-standers that were my personal "best sounding speakers ever" in 1999 when I moved out of the high-end audio world.
Thanks Matt and Dave. Funny you should mention the Genesis, Dave.....The VMPS speakers use the same ribbon drivers that were in those Genesis models. Dialogue and overall sound is extremely clear and transparent, thanks in part to the room treatment. It's a real pleasure to hear music on lossless tracks.
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