Jim Herrod

planning HT for new home with media room

Thought I would run my ideas by everyone to see if I'm on the right track...

the media room will be under construction and will probably be around 16' X 18', depending on which plan we go with. Here's what I would like to do with a budget of around 30K, if possible.

I pretty much settled on the Panasonic PT-AE1000U 1080P front projector ($5000) with a 90" Carada 1.78:1 Criterion screen. We will probably anchor the system with a Denon AVR-2807 ($1000), along with a Dish HD/DVR receiver and a DVD player. Haven't decided on the speakers yet, but I'll most likely go with cabinet speakers for 6.1, but would like to conceal them behind curtains or acoustical panels, if I can. I already have a 10" SVS sub that I think would work great in the room, but I may need another one...not sure.

I'll be putting in the cabling for the components and lighting before the drywall goes in and will probably need acoustical panels where necessary.
I would like to round it out with theater seating for about 8 or 9 and a couple of columns on each side of the room with wall sconces and, if the money holds out, some can lights around the wall perimeter. I'll probably do a small amount of the work myself, but most I'm sure I'll contract out.

I know there are a lot of variables, but I'd just like to know if that is a realistic expectation for a 30K budget, or at least in the ballpark, since this is the first time I've ventured into something like this. Any ideas or suggestions would also be welcome. Thanks.

greggor

Re: planning HT for new home with media room

Paying a contractor to do all the work will probably push your budget well over 30K. Just to give you an example; I looked into hiring a contractor to finish my basement for me and he quoted me 25K just to frame and dryall about 800 square feet. With the electrical, plumbing, flooring, paint, doors and everything else I was looking at over 50K! This didn't even include the HT components or wiring.

I decided to to pull the permit and do the work myself. Right now I'm 12K into the project and I have all the framing, electrical, insulation/soundproofing, plumbing and drywall done in the entire basement. This 12K also includes purchasing in ceiling speakers (paradigm reference) a Carada screen and an InFocus IN76 projector. For right around 20K the job will be done. My recommendation to you would be to do as much of the work yourself as you possibly can, then 30K should be way more than enough.

Greg

Andrew Stoakley

Re: planning HT for new home with media room

Quote:

Originally Posted by greggor ...I decided to to pull the permit and do the work myself. ... Greg

Hey Jim,

In regards to pulling the permit, just make sure whatever upgrades you do to your electrical, etc doesn't violate your insurance. I think it depends on what city you're in, but when I went to upgrade my electrical in my basement, my insurance guy wouldn't approve of the 'upgrade' in coverage unless I had a certified electrician do the work. Just FYI.

Also, in the future, if you ever decide to move and your city requires a 'final city inspection' before you move you might not get approved.. sucks, but some cities have them.

But I totally agree with Greggor... do most of the work yourself and have some fun

Cheers,

Andrew

"Remember kids - no one cares about audio until they can't hear it."

Check out the Stoakley Home Theatre
Click here to email me

greggor

Re: planning HT for new home with media room

Some very good information here. In my situation as long as everything passed inspection I was covered. Without the permit there would have been problems.

I just applied my first coat of mud and the basement looks great! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

-Greg

Andrew Stoakley

Re: planning HT for new home with media room

Hey Greggor,

Cool... gotta love working with mud...or mad, it really depends on what mood you're in when working with it!! )

Jim: Good luck with it.

Cheers,

Andrew

"Remember kids - no one cares about audio until they can't hear it."

Check out the Stoakley Home Theatre
Click here to email me