Constructing a home theatre den
So, you've got a new home and are trying to put together a home theatre den so you can hide there for hours?
What a great idea! Especially in the current time, an apt use of your time indeed.
Let's go through a little checklist and we will elaborate on each item as you tick it off..
Budget:
This is the most important as it determines what you can do. I would say, get a decent sized room, not square in proportion, spend more on equipment and more importantly on their placement, then budget for room treatment.
The sofa or couch is also important, get one you are really comfortable in and good for your back too.
But don't forget the fun aspects, save some money for little touches, posters etc.
Room layout:
Whilst some of us may not be able to get the ideal room, we should try to avoid
- a square room or worse, a cuboid room with equal dimensions for Height, Width and Length
- an arching or pitched roof or sloping roofs
- unequal sides, such as glass on one side, and concrete on the other
- very short heights of below 2.4m
A rectangular room with a reasonably high ceiling of about 3m is a nice thing, but we live with what we have.
Working with your builder:
This is very important. If you have a ton of kit, store it elsewhere first. If you are starting afresh, the advantage of sourcing stuff from one store is that they are more willing to help with the installation, but there is no getting around Paying for it. Yep, nothing is free. Shops need some margin, so do not squeeze so tight and then expect free installation. If it is free, it is all worked in.
Count the total number of plugs, sockets, wall plates etc and get a bit extra. Make it obvious where to install the items, and check on their work. Put it down, use a 3D planner if you are familiar with it. I just used Powerpoint, made a few objects to scale, to make sure it all fits. Then I planted the various items, with notes on the height, exact spacing etc and gave one copy to my builder. Not every builder is familiar with hifi stuff, so be clear.
Check on their work every now and then.
Power:
I have a 3 phase 63A power supply, with three distribution boxes (DB), one of which is dedicated to the den, powering only the power sockets. Everything else in the room, including the lights, aircon etc comes from the other DB. In addition, I ran a dedicated power line from my main gate into the room, so that it will be free from interference from the other high consumption items.
I decided this is more effective than just using a power conditioner at the end point.
Adequate power sockets:
Think of what you have planned and double it! Yep, you can never have enough.. I have about twenty sockets in my room and I can tell you, they are not enough! I got these lovely MK Albany Plus Satin Brass sockets for most of the hifi sockets. LAN points:
A den may need two minimum but three is nice. You may even site your work desk here, so adding more is useful. Place some power points next to them.
Also place one high up at the front for the projector screen and one at the back for the projector. Even if you don't envisage using it right away, add it first.
Windows:
I used Fascina to make the casement windows, which cut down on sound and also prevent heat transmission.
Flooring:
I use laminated vinyl tiles, which feel good and are soft, so that softens the sound too. They are waterproof and you can feel safe if you spill some drinks.
Wall plates:
Depending on which part of the world you live in, there are standard shapes and sizes which conform to US or UK standards, do check before you order. International website may have a variety of standards which are in their inventory.
You'll need one in front for the side surrounds, back surrounds and the Atmos channels, plus one or two subwoofer RCA connections.
Check that they allow not only banana plugs but also bare wire or spades if you intend to use these.
You will also need to cut out a space in the wall and attach a back plate to allow the face plate to be screwed on.
Instead I use a different plate for that where the original cable simply comes out of the plate:
You can look up brush plates and they come in single or double sizes.
As for wall plates for speakers there are smaller ones with only a pair of connectors:
(or for a pair if you need)
There are many websites to get these, eg Amazon, Lazada, or even local stores.
Room acoustic treatment:
You will plan some basic items, and vibration dampening, but a lot of tweaking is done later on.
This is done after moving the furniture, the gear and other items in, letting the gear run in, then doing more measurements before adding things like diffusers.
Avoid rushing into this in the initial build.
However, reducing the vibrations in your false ceiling, or any other structures are important. Halfway through my renovations, I brought my subs in, and did a frequency sweep, so I could pick up the vibrations and get them sorted.
With regards to the use of rockwool, it's not just about adding tons of it everywhere. The support structures of the ceiling need to have some flex or have silicon to ensure the metal structures do not vibrate.
I choose solid wood beams for my current den. It's an overkill as they can support a fan in future, but it has been solid. Then I added rockwool in the spaces above the boards between the beams.
I also decided against the use of a feature wall, choosing to mount my TV right onto the concrete wall. I also bit the bullet and cut tracks into the walls to run the cables so that the cables will be embedded flush in the walls.
Silence:
Now all the acoustic treatment is not going to help if you live next to a train station. Lowering the noise floor is very important. If you can get to around 25-35 db, you are good. Reduce ambient sounds, with sound insulation, and pay attention even to loud clocks, the air conditioning and other noise pollutants.
Lighting:Make sure you have alternate source of lighting, allowing you to light up the room brightly and also give only ambient light. Install a light source behind the TV and keep it on when you are watching, this will reduce eye fatigue. A remote switch might be useful. Others use smart lighting like Alexa.
I also painted my room in matt black chalk paint, reducing reflections.
Laying cables:
It's important to plan the layout carefully in your den. Ideally your main listening position (MLP) is equidistant from all the speakers, and at the same angle all round. The base surround speakers should be around your ear level or slightly higher, but not more than two feet higher.
I then did the angle measurements for the ceiling speakers, adopting Atmos suggested angles from my approximate main listening position and pre-placed the cables. Later on when the ceiling was complete, I then added the speakers.
As for subwoofer cables, I ran one in the wall to the rear, using an extra long 15m cable, which allowed me some flexibility in subwoofer position, without a long cable draping around the room.
I also run a HDMI cable to the rear ceiling in case I did go for the projector.
So using wall sockets with bananas helps with easy removal. But do use the best cables you so you will not regret it when the sound is not right. I used QED Micro in the walls, which is slim and has decent sound for my surrounds.
TV console:
I have previously written extensively about the console, which I design and had it made out of mahogany:
My console design
Note that you will need at least 600mm in depth to accommodate large amps. Make sure you have plenty of space to allow for air circulation.
The seat:
Now, it's very important not to simply bring any old chair. You will want to enjoy your den after so much effort, so get something you can enjoy.
Some points
- how many seats, that will determine if you use a sofa couch or a single seat
I use a Stressless chair, which allows my ears to be around 1m above the floor, and this chair is comfortable enough to sit in for hours. Be wary of those in which you sink in, because they can cause backaches.
You'll need space, don't forget to take care of your legs and get a footstool too. Plus a side table for drinks.
Also think about the workflow, how will you walk around, are there any other pieces of furniture, especially if you have a multi-purpose room that also serves as a study or bar.
Decor:
No home theatre den is complete without some decor or paraphernalia that makes this den uniquely yours. Take your time to source for items, such as posters and statues, but apart from such typical items, open your mind and get what you like! A ray gun, or even a full sized Ironman perhaps?
Measure and treat:
After you've assembled the system, and used it for a while, then you will know what is missing and that's when you actually add more acoustic treatment. The key is not to make your home into an anechoic chamber, but one where the bass response is pretty flat or free from humps and dips.
Carpets also add texture and change the sound.
Blackout curtains give you control over the light in the room and also add a bit of dampening of the higher frequencies.
Adding on:
Home theatre is a journey for me. The question is whether it's a chore for you to finish it, and put it away, and never tweak it again. For some, it's a necessary pain, and you will not be doing much to it after. Then your journey would have stopped two points ago.
However if you are a hobbyist, you will continue the tweaking process, and keep improving it.
All the best as you assemble your dream den!
Here's the link to the final product and the gear I use: my set up
____________________________________________________________
I have no financial interest or other interests in any of the items / events I write about.
Comments
Post a Comment