New HT Construction (1 Viewer)

[Parker Clack]

Scott:

Here is something to demo in your room.

 

[Scott A. Pope]

Parker,

Already have it, Blue Man Group is a must have for any HT junky. I also have the DVD Audio disc and another documentery disc of BMG too. Good stuff.

We finished carpet at 0620 this morning. I caught about an hour and a half nap and am right back at it... :frowning: . The painters are here now doing some final touch up stuff... .

I am only a tic away from being in a coma at this point, but the excitement of new toys in the next few hours is carrying me through.

Hope to have pics soon. Didn't really have a chance to take any during the night as I was the new carpet apprentice/assistant :star: .

 

[Rutgar]

Good DVD. I have it too. Too bad they didn't go the extra step and make it an anamorphic transfer. Sucks watching it with black bars on all four sides. Zoomed, it looks like crap (at least on a 100" 16x9 screen, it does).

- Rutgar

 

[Nick P]

How strange, I just got home from Suncoast with that Blue Man Group DVD!

 

[Demetrius]

Scott,

I was researching your list of equipment and I downloaded the programming utility for the MX-3000 remote. I have been leaning toward a HTPC with associated media software and wireless connectivity to a tablet PC for more of a house-wide remote. After extended frustration with inadequate software and interoperability issues. I am now looking to get a functional alternative that is worthy of the HT that I am resopnsible for the design and technical aspects. I will be looking into your choice of Tannoy speakers, currently I am leaning toward Klipsch RF series (RF-7 (2 ea), RC-7 (1 ea), RS-7 (4 ea), and RSW-15 (2ea). Did you consider these before your selection? My theatre is 17' X 21', the two back rows rise 18" each level. My goal for background noise with the Air Conditioning is sub 20 dB. How did you plan your acoustic control and I am interested in what your room sounds like with just the air running?
Well enough rambling, I know you have your hands full and probably are working hard on finalizing your soon to be completed masterpiece. I have gained much by your on-going updates and the overall quality of this thread! I hope that your weekend goes well. Keep us posted as time allows.

 

[BrianKR]

Demetrius,

Also ask for opinions on the speaker and subwoofer section.
I owned the exact Klipsch RF Series (RF7's front, center and sides) almost 3 years ago. My friends and family did not like them (to put it mildly). Klipsch (horn speakers) is an aquired taste. Take your time and audition as many brands as possible in your price range.
In the end it's what "your" ears like.

Scott,
PICS, PICS, PICS!

 

[Scott A. Pope]

I completely agree with Brian. I did in fact test drive the Klipsch, I liked them but found the horns a bit harsh for my taste. I went with the Tannoy because they are so smooth, beatifully so in fact. The Monitor Audio Golds were virtually a tie for me but in the end I just felt better with the Tannoys. They are like individual pieces of art, the fit and finish are pristine.

Subs... my Klipsch brothers are on notice, they are just not gutsy enough to put the punch in my 18' x 25' room. I am leaning toward a single 13" cube from Sunfire to seal the deal.

I have wicked pics to post, after back to back all nighters the Media Room and HT are 95% complete...

Stay tuned...

 

[Scott A. Pope]

...and on the eighth day the Lord said, "LET THERE BE HT FOR MAN TO ENJOY..."

After two back to back all nighters I finally have some hard core progress to report (sorry about the pic qualities, my little Gateway TC50 is doing it's best).

http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL242/...6/62540760.jpg

http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL242/...6/62540781.jpg

http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL242/...6/62540696.jpg

http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL242/...6/62540669.jpg

http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL242/...6/62540637.jpg

http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL242/...6/62540818.jpg

In complete sincerity, the pics do not do the room justice. The HT turned out far better than I had expected and i am just thrilled! There will be weeks of tweaking but the worst is behind me. Kudos to The Home Theater Store for staying last night until 0500 (this morning) calibrating and playing! Those guys were more excited than I was (ok, not quite) to get this thing up and running. It's great to do business with people that are that enthusiastic about what they are doing, we had a great time.

Once everything is settled I am having some pro pics made, my skill level with the camera is hardly stellar as you can see. It's very difficult to deal with the lighting demands in an operational HT.

So far, my only issue is that my old Klipsch subs are rather inadequate for the room. Looks like Bob Carver will get some more of my hard earned bling soon. All of the Tannoys are just beautiful, physically and sonically. The lighting control by Lutron's Grafic Eye is a delight, the room now has a soul. The Rava custom screen (1:85 ratio) is perfect and the Dreamvision Weaver 1 is breathtaking... a sight to behold indeed.

More later, I gotta go play!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[todbnla]

 

[Scott A. Pope]

Thanks Todd, I'm having a blast!

Another battery of pics...

http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL242/...6/62569077.jpg

http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL242/...6/62569059.jpg

http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL242/...6/62568905.jpg

http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL242/...6/62569121.jpg

http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL242/...6/62568943.jpg

http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL242/...6/62569018.jpg

http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL242/...6/62569002.jpg

http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL242/...6/62568958.jpg

http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL242/...6/62568914.jpg

Okay, now let's talk about performance. I'll be honest, after about two hours of listening to DVDA/SACD's I am emotionally and physically drained. I have had this HT/MR design in my head for years and it is so sureal to actually see it in real life. I'll wear my emotions on my sleeve temporarily here and tell you all that if you have ever listened to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon and it didn't just overwhelm you to the point that you misted up a bit then you don't have the right gear and/or the right recording. I played the SACD version start to finish and it was an absolutely amazing experience.

I played around with several movies without leaving any one particular film on for more than 10 minutes. I popped in the ovious favs... Monsters Inc., Nemo, Episode 1, The Abyss... you know. So far I would like to report that the Dreamweaver Weaver 1 is a knock out. The DVD pictures are so fluid and vibrant, simply magical. I can't wait to get an HD source integrated into the system. Oh, the Weaver is dead quiet too, I almost forgot it was on after listening to Allison Krauss on SACD!

Needless to say, I'm a happy camper. I have lots of work to do still but at least I can stop and relax in the HT that Sirpopealot built in between projects. I still have to get the HT Master MX-3000 programmed, for now I am using the Sunfire remote for everything (also made by HT Master).

Okay, I'm going to listen to Porcupine Tree an DVDA now... later!

 

[Scott A. Pope]

Sorry Parker, I almost forgot to represent!!!!!!!!!!

Still trying to find the best place to fly the colors...

 

[Scott A. Pope]

Here's pic with the CD's more visible (by request)...

http://pic8.picturetrail.com/VOL242/...6/62574301.jpg

 

[Will d s]

OUTSTANDING!! Wow it is great to see it finally compleated. I am sure it is even better for you to finally experience the completed project. Enjoy your room and thanks for sharing with us.

 

[Scott A. Pope]

Thanks Will. We are really enjoying the room so far. I just got the wife to sit through most of Dark Side of the Moon on SACD... she was impressed.

It has really been fun posting this project from the early stages. I will be tweaking and making minor changes for a while and I will continue to post along the way.

I hope everyone has enjoyed following my progress with this project, it's been fun (but I don't want to do it again!).

Scott

 

[Demetrius]

Thanks for the input Scott/Brian. I spent all day at the construction site and was told that next Thursday I need to give wiring details to the electrician and Saturday I will meet with the air conditioning guy to discuss the needs of the theater. I have to nail down allot of details over the next few days (very exciting...) I have had some difficulty getting quality time in listening rooms. I really haven't found a place to get a good listen between several different speaker models in the price range of the Klipsch reference line.
I was told that the building should be completed around thanksgiving but it will take several more months to finish out the interior, paying for the equipment (not in my control) and interior decorating is also not my responsibility. I don't want to get too impatient so I have to check those feelings closely. I want to learn as much as possible over the next few months to be able to create a theater that will perform at a high level. I believe that the construction of the theater is going to provide a very live sound but isolate outside noise effectively. Scott, did you get a noise level with the air conditioning on? I have been told that dynamic range makes a tremendous difference if you have it.

P.s. Scott, I am excited for you and will keep learning, Thanks for your willingness to share your experiences with all of us.

 

[Demetrius]

I posted the previous message twice, I just edited this to remove the redundant post. I would like to get information about bass traps. I have a seventeen foot by six foot by three foot riser that can be used. Does anyone have experience building one of these things???

 

[Scott A. Pope]

My pleasure D. Always glas to help out. I have virtually no noise from AC or ventalation. I never even know when the air is on unless I happen to cruise by a supply vent.

My room is a bit on the bright side, I'm looking into some sound panels to tame the unwanted effects.

Got my Grafic Eye dialed in with 5 different preset lighting effects... very cool stuff.

 

[BrianKR]

 

[Nick P]

Scott,

the completed room pics are truly awesome. My only concern is where will you put your expanding media collection? Your shelves are already full!

As your trusted home theater sign maker I would urge you to contact Ron at SVS before pulling the trigger on the Sunfire sub. Sunfire products are quality pieces but you may find SVS has more to offer for the same or even less money. Just a thought.

 

[Parker Clack]

Scott:

You must, must and did I say must? give Ron a call at SV Subwoofers as I mentioned before. Once you get a couple of those puppies in your room DSOTM will take on a whole new light. As will Nemo, Toy Story II, Saving Private Ryan and on and on.

You can always try them at home for a few days and if you don't like them send 'em back.

Your HT is one sweet home away from home. I don't think that I would ever leave it myself. How do you do it?

Also, I love your old reel to reel on the shelf. I used to have a Pioneer RT-701. I sure miss it.

Great great job to all. I know you are feeling emotions that you cannot discribe right now.