MarkHancock
Auditioning
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2004
- Messages
- 7
I'm in the process of finishing our basement and want to be able to use the large multi-function room for home theater. I need advice!!! I am a newbie to Home Theater but I am unafraid and I am ready to learn.
The room will be large (20ft x 24ft). If you think of it with the 20ft dimension across the back, then the stairs lead down into the back-left corner, and the front-right corner will have double-doors leading to a mud room that has a walk-out exit. Half way to the front is the main beam of the house that is supported by 2 lally columns which divides that ceiling (8ft) into two halves in which I am putting six recessed lights (for a total of 12). I plan on putting wall sconces along the sides and back to provide indirect light when needed as well as a sconce on either side of the screen.
My plan the buy the equipment for home theater is year(s) away since I have to finish the construction first, but I want to put the infrastructure in place for it now. I know that the "squarish" shape is probable not the traditional shape for home theater but we want to be able to use the space for large group gatherings as well (bible studies, parties, etc.) and ultimately it will probably be mostly a space for our kids to have their friends over (though my wife would also probably classify me as one of the kids too). I suspect that it will only be used occasionally for home theater, but you never know.
Here are some questions:
1) My original plan is/was to orient the room toward having the screen along what I have described above a being the front wall. But, that could put the lally columns between the viewer and the screen (as would any layout that include the whole room). Just tonight I was thinking that if I only used that back half of the room for theater then put the screen along the back 1/2 of the right wall, then that would eliminate the columns from being obstructions but would mean that the theater would have no left wall. What are your opinions on what the best general layout would be?
2) I was able to pick up a Lightolier scene-based lighting system for a very good price. I have 5 dimmers, 7 switches, and 3 6-button panels. What are you opinions on what lights should be on each of the zones? Preliminary idea was zone1=front recessed, zone2=back recessed, zone3=front sconces, zone4=side & rear sconces, zone5=?.
3) Where should I run my speaker wires to? How many? Should the surround speakers be located in the back wall or is it too far back? Should I have options for side or ceiling speakers?
4) The ceiling is planned for sheetrock and standard fiberglass batt insulation (existing). I have not planned any special sound insulation at this point. All the bedrooms are on the 2nd floor so there will be a whole floor between them and the theater and the cost of resilient channel seemed like it would add several hundred dollars to the ceiling price so the value didn't seem to be there. Am I missing something?
5) Any pearls of wisdom or other regrets or heard learned advice?
Thanks
Mark (Connecticut)
The room will be large (20ft x 24ft). If you think of it with the 20ft dimension across the back, then the stairs lead down into the back-left corner, and the front-right corner will have double-doors leading to a mud room that has a walk-out exit. Half way to the front is the main beam of the house that is supported by 2 lally columns which divides that ceiling (8ft) into two halves in which I am putting six recessed lights (for a total of 12). I plan on putting wall sconces along the sides and back to provide indirect light when needed as well as a sconce on either side of the screen.
My plan the buy the equipment for home theater is year(s) away since I have to finish the construction first, but I want to put the infrastructure in place for it now. I know that the "squarish" shape is probable not the traditional shape for home theater but we want to be able to use the space for large group gatherings as well (bible studies, parties, etc.) and ultimately it will probably be mostly a space for our kids to have their friends over (though my wife would also probably classify me as one of the kids too). I suspect that it will only be used occasionally for home theater, but you never know.
Here are some questions:
1) My original plan is/was to orient the room toward having the screen along what I have described above a being the front wall. But, that could put the lally columns between the viewer and the screen (as would any layout that include the whole room). Just tonight I was thinking that if I only used that back half of the room for theater then put the screen along the back 1/2 of the right wall, then that would eliminate the columns from being obstructions but would mean that the theater would have no left wall. What are your opinions on what the best general layout would be?
2) I was able to pick up a Lightolier scene-based lighting system for a very good price. I have 5 dimmers, 7 switches, and 3 6-button panels. What are you opinions on what lights should be on each of the zones? Preliminary idea was zone1=front recessed, zone2=back recessed, zone3=front sconces, zone4=side & rear sconces, zone5=?.
3) Where should I run my speaker wires to? How many? Should the surround speakers be located in the back wall or is it too far back? Should I have options for side or ceiling speakers?
4) The ceiling is planned for sheetrock and standard fiberglass batt insulation (existing). I have not planned any special sound insulation at this point. All the bedrooms are on the 2nd floor so there will be a whole floor between them and the theater and the cost of resilient channel seemed like it would add several hundred dollars to the ceiling price so the value didn't seem to be there. Am I missing something?
5) Any pearls of wisdom or other regrets or heard learned advice?
Thanks
Mark (Connecticut)