How big and where to put a Home Theater

[naturephoto1]

Today was our first time looking at some new houses as a potential new home here in eastern Pennsylvania. Boy am I tired. We have yet to decide specifically where to move or whether to buy a used house or to build a new one. My main requirement for the house is to have an adequate space for my new home theater. But, I am not sure as to what size (dimensions) that I really should have for the large speakers, components, anticipated screen and projector. I hope to have 2 rows of seats and possibly 3. You can see a list of much of my present equipment including my Pioneer Elite TV that I intend to use in the theater as well as the projector below in my signature.

Some of the questions come down to having the theater on the main floor or finish a basement for this purpose, dimensions as already mentioned, and what is sufficient for the ceiling height- 8', 9', or 10'

I would appreciate any comments and suggestions that would be helpful and much appreciated. I hope to move later this year perhaps in the next 3 to 8 months.

Rich

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

Today was our first time looking at some new houses as a potential new home here in eastern Pennsylvania. Boy am I tired. We have yet to decide specifically where to move or whether to buy a used house or to build a new one. My main requirement for the house is to have an adequate space for my new home theater. But, I am not sure as to what size (dimensions) that I really should have for the large speakers, components, anticipated screen and projector. I hope to have 2 rows of seats and possibly 3. You can see a list of much of my present equipment including my Pioneer Elite TV that I intend to use in the theater as well as the projector below in my signature.

Some of the questions come down to having the theater on the main floor or finish a basement for this purpose, dimensions as already mentioned, and what is sufficient for the ceiling height- 8', 9', or 10'

I would appreciate any comments and suggestions that would be helpful and much appreciated. I hope to move later this year perhaps in the next 3 to 8 months.

Rich

Completely off-topic...but I have not yet seen you write the words OUR and WE before. Is there is Mrs. ?

John

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by John72953

Completely off-topic...but I have not yet seen you write the words OUR and WE before. Is there is Mrs. ?

John

Hi John,

No there has not been an official Mrs. for about 27? years. I have been with my Girlfriend now for about 9 1/4 years; we are considering making it official possibly later in the year.

Rich

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

Hi John,

No there has not been an official Mrs. for about 27? years. I have been with my Girlfriend now for about 9 1/4 years; we are considering making it official possibly later in the year.
Rich

How absolutely wonderful to hear!

John

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

Hi John,

No there has not been an official Mrs. for about 27? years. I have been with my Girlfriend now for about 9 1/4 years; we are considering making it official possibly later in the year.

Rich

Shame on you Rich. You commit to the most esoteric turntable and fanciest and largest speakers in the world, but afraid to commit to your girlfriend of 9 1/4 years.

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

Shame on you Rich. You commit to the most esoteric turntable and fanciest and largest speakers in the world, but afraid to commit to your girlfriend of 91/4 years.

Like many couples, we have had our problems and issues over the years, and there is still a matter of...... before this could legally (not my legal requirement) take place.

Rich

[naturephoto1]

I put the deposit down on the house this afternoon. They are checking on the design of the closet and if that can ultimately be removed later to improve the room for the listening room/home theater.

Rich

[jomari]

ah, the burdens of finding a new home.

the way i see it, i would definitely find myself a dedicated room, at least 16x12 to say the least for starters. height probably starting at 12 if ever. nice room for you to pull down some lighting and ventilation. as you've mentioned, a basement area (not necessarily the entire basement), would be a prime spot for HT enthusiast. with the proper insulation and planning, you can have a dedicated area that would definitely make your equipment shine for its money.

considering that i dont have the option to have one here in california (most homes in the west coast dont have basements), i envy those east of the rockies.

theres no problem with having a dedicated room on the same level of the entire home, but considering how much we listen to our music, and/or watch movies on such a regular basis, would be something to consider.

best wishes on your hunt.

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by jomari

ah, the burdens of finding a new home.

the way i see it, i would definitely find myself a dedicated room, at least 16x12 to say the least for starters. height probably starting at 12 if ever. nice room for you to pull down some lighting and ventilation. as you've mentioned, a basement area (not necessarily the entire basement), would be a prime spot for HT enthusiast. with the proper insulation and planning, you can have a dedicated area that would definitely make your equipment shine for its money.

considering that i dont have the option to have one here in california (most homes in the west coast dont have basements), i envy those east of the rockies.

theres no problem with having a dedicated room on the same level of the entire home, but considering how much we listen to our music, and/or watch movies on such a regular basis, would be something to consider.

best wishes on your hunt.

Thanks for the well wishing. But, 12' high ceiling would be basically an impossibility. The other half wants everything out of sight behind doors or downstairs; I am a bit messy certainly at times like a lot of men.

The houses that we looked at that would allow for these options on the first floor or basement offered a ceiling height of 9' upstairs (closed off or could be made closed off) room while the basement heights were either 8' or 9' high.

Rich

[jomari]

12 was a matter of dreaming. heck id love a basement that goes up that high. i wouldnt cry if it was 8 or 9 tho.

to be honest, im sure that some couples would have their laundry stuff located in the basement as well, and a designated area for storage and all, with that in mind, you can always use a nice curtain detail to section off that area. form and function.

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by jomari

12 was a matter of dreaming. heck id love a basement that goes up that high. i wouldnt cry if it was 8 or 9 tho.

to be honest, im sure that some couples would have their laundry stuff located in the basement as well, and a designated area for storage and all, with that in mind, you can always use a nice curtain detail to section off that area. form and function.

If we build the house and I have a basement home theater and listening room I would probably try to wall it off and also have an outside basement entry to aid in getting all of the large and heavy equipment in like amps, speakers, racks, turntable, TV, etc. in through the door rather down the stairs. Don't want to drop any of that heavy and expensive gear.

Rich

[jomari]

all in all, the picturesque idea of a dedicated home theater room id see would like in the basement. ive heard of other members on another forum, where he wasnt quite sure about his neighbor inviting him to his home. his neighbor knew he was an avid HT enthusiast, and suddenly was introduced to his lil shop of horrors.

his neighbor owned a construction company, contracted by the government from time to time to do gigs in the city...

they walk in, and lo and behold, an elevator shaft...

goes straight down to around 4 floors (apparently 1...2...3....4 was showing on the window),

and opened to a 20 seater home theater room, complete with a dedicated bar, pool table, and dart area... he dug that area out for almost two years without anyone knowing about it.

his jaw dropped wide open to see his 'humble' setup.

we all have our secrets. he just had a cave for one.